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Toronto Introduces One-Time Funding for School Age Child Care Programs

The City of Toronto is providing a new One-Time School Age Grant in 2026 to support licensed School Age programs operating in child care centres and home child care agencies. The funding recognizes the financial pressures facing School Age programs and aims to help maintain equitable access to high-quality care for children aged 6 to 12.

The grant includes two funding streams: 

  1. Eligible child care centres will receive $1,000 for each School Age operating space, while home child care agencies will receive $1,000 for each active provider, plus an additional 10% to help cover administrative costs.
  2. Operators with a fee subsidy agreement will receive $1,500 for every new School Age fee subsidy placement made in 2026, with payments issued after the end of the year.

Funding can be used for a wide range of operating costs, including staff wages and benefits, professional development, program supplies and equipment, enrichment activities, food, transportation, rent, utilities, facility maintenance, and other expenses that support high-quality School Age programming.

This funding will be welcomed by many operators and provides much-needed support for programs facing ongoing financial pressures. Direct funding to child care providers also gives centres greater flexibility to address their own priorities, rather than relying on one-size-fits-all initiatives.

At the same time, the announcement highlights a broader challenge facing the sector. While one-time funding can provide short-term relief, it does not offer the long-term stability that operators need for workforce planning, budgeting, and sustaining programs over time. Because these grants are temporary, they often require additional reporting and reconciliation processes while leaving uncertainty about future funding.

Overall, this investment is a positive step that will help many School Age programs in 2026. Looking ahead, the sector would benefit from more predictable, ongoing funding that allows operators to plan confidently and continue providing high-quality care for children and families.