Can I afford daycare after landing in Canada?
We’ve been planning our move for months — visas, housing, job search. But now, the real shocker: daycare.
We’re a family of four, expecting our second child in July. We’re getting permanent residence and plan to land in Toronto in October. We’ve budgeted for rent, groceries, and tuition — but the daycare costs? They’re making our savings look like pocket change.
We just found out the city waitlist for subsidized daycare in Toronto is over 2 years. We’re not even sure if we’ll qualify for the subsidy — our income might be too high, or too low, depending on how they calculate it.
We’ve already started filling out the Ontario Child Care Subsidy application, but it’s not clear how fast they’ll process it. And if we get in, will it cover more than half the cost?
We’re also wondering:
1. How long did others wait for subsidized care after landing?
2. Did you get approved for subsidy before or after arrival?
3. What’s your experience with private daycare costs in your province?
4. How did you adjust your work or study plans while waiting for care?
We’re thinking of looking at school-age care for the older kid too — but if we can’t find anything, we’ll need to re-evaluate whether one parent can stay home. That changes everything.
This isn’t just about childcare — it’s about whether we can work, study, or even survive on a budget that didn’t account for this.
If you’ve been through this, share your story.
Which province are you in? What’s your immigration status? When are you planning to land?
No need to share passport numbers, UCI, or bank details — just your experience, timeline, and province. Let’s help each other plan smarter.
We’re a family of four, expecting our second child in July. We’re getting permanent residence and plan to land in Toronto in October. We’ve budgeted for rent, groceries, and tuition — but the daycare costs? They’re making our savings look like pocket change.
We just found out the city waitlist for subsidized daycare in Toronto is over 2 years. We’re not even sure if we’ll qualify for the subsidy — our income might be too high, or too low, depending on how they calculate it.
We’ve already started filling out the Ontario Child Care Subsidy application, but it’s not clear how fast they’ll process it. And if we get in, will it cover more than half the cost?
We’re also wondering:
1. How long did others wait for subsidized care after landing?
2. Did you get approved for subsidy before or after arrival?
3. What’s your experience with private daycare costs in your province?
4. How did you adjust your work or study plans while waiting for care?
We’re thinking of looking at school-age care for the older kid too — but if we can’t find anything, we’ll need to re-evaluate whether one parent can stay home. That changes everything.
This isn’t just about childcare — it’s about whether we can work, study, or even survive on a budget that didn’t account for this.
If you’ve been through this, share your story.
Which province are you in? What’s your immigration status? When are you planning to land?
No need to share passport numbers, UCI, or bank details — just your experience, timeline, and province. Let’s help each other plan smarter.
Your income level, family size, and whether you’re working/studying part-time or full-time will impact eligibility for subsidies. Many provinces offer income-based reductions, so even if you’re just starting out, you might still qualify. Also, some employers offer childcare assistance or on-site daycare—worth asking your employer if available.
Common pitfalls: Not applying early (spots fill fast), assuming all programs accept newcomers immediately, or underestimating costs during the first few months before income is stable.
To give you a better answer, could you share:
1. Which province you're landing in?
2. Your current status (e.g., new permanent resident, student, worker)?
3. Any timeline for starting daycare (e.g., within 1–3 months)?
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