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How much does childcare cost in Alberta in 2026?

The $15-a-day program, the Affordability Grant, and who still qualifies for a subsidy — explained in plain language for Edmonton & St. Albert families.

If your child is in a licensed daycare centre or family day home in Alberta, the cost is now a flat monthly fee set by the province — not a number each operator picks. Alberta’s childcare fees page lists the fee for a child up to kindergarten age is $326.25 per month for full-time care (100+ hours a month), which works out to about $15 a day. Part-time care (50–99 hours a month) is $230 per month.

Is it the same price in Calgary, Edmonton and the rest of Alberta?

Yes. The flat fee is set by the province, not by the city, so a licensed daycare or family day home that receives the grant charges the same $326.25 a month full-time in Calgary, Edmonton, St. Albert, Red Deer or anywhere else in Alberta. Prices only differ at private day homes, preschools and out-of-school care, which set their own fees.

How the Affordability Grant works

You don’t apply for the low fee — it’s built in. Alberta pays licensed programs an operating grant (the Affordability Grant) that covers part of their costs so they can charge families the flat rate. It applies to children from birth up to kindergarten age at participating licensed programs, and it lowers the fee for every family regardless of income. Both licensed daycare centres and licensed family day homes can receive it.

What about “$10 a day”?

$10-a-day was a stated target on the way down from the old fees. The fee Alberta currently lists is still the ~$15/day level ($326.25/month), not $10. Because these figures change, always confirm the current number on Alberta’s official childcare fees page.

Who still gets an income-based subsidy?

For children from birth to kindergarten, the old income-tested subsidy has largely been replaced by the flat-fee model above. The income-based Child Care Subsidy still helps families with kindergarten to grade 6 children in licensed out-of-school care:

• Available when total family income is under $90,000/year.
• Worth up to $644/month for kindergarten in a facility-based program (less for grades 1 to 6 and for family day homes), depending on income and hours.
• An extra up to $100/month may apply for care outside 6 a.m.–6 p.m. or on weekends.

You can estimate your amount with Alberta’s online subsidy estimator or call Alberta Supports at 1-877-644-9992.

What about private (unlicensed) day homes?

A private day home that isn’t contracted with a licensed agency does not receive the Affordability Grant, so its families don’t get the $15/day rate — you pay the price the provider sets. That base price is sometimes lower, but there’s no grant or subsidy on top. We break down the trade-offs in our guide to licensed vs private day homes.

What does preschool cost?

Preschool (part-day programs, usually for ages 3 to 5) is not on the flat fee. Each licensed preschool sets its own price, and Alberta pays licensed preschools up to $100 a month per child in affordability funding to bring that price down. Ask each preschool for its monthly rate and what it includes.

The bottom line

At a licensed program in Edmonton or St. Albert, expect about $15 a day for full-time care up to kindergarten, with school-age subsidy still available for lower-income families. On TinyCare Connect you can filter the map for $15/day and subsidy-accepting providers directly.

Common questions

How much does daycare cost in Alberta in 2026?

At a licensed daycare centre or family day home, the flat fee for a child up to kindergarten age is $326.25 per month for full-time care (100+ hours/month) — about $15 a day — and $230 per month for part-time (50–99 hours/month).

Do I have to apply for the $15/day rate or Affordability Grant?

No. The Affordability Grant is paid to the licensed program, which then charges you the flat fee automatically. You do not apply separately for it.

Is Alberta childcare really $10 a day now?

$10-a-day was a stated target. Alberta currently lists a flat fee of $326.25 a month for full-time care (about $15 a day), not $10 a day. Always confirm the current figure on alberta.ca/childcare-fees.

Who qualifies for the Alberta child care subsidy?

The income-based subsidy now mainly applies to kindergarten-to-grade-6 children in licensed out-of-school care, for families with income under $90,000/year — up to $644/month for kindergarten in a facility-based program (less for grades 1 to 6), plus up to $100/month for off-hours care.

Are private day homes eligible for the $15/day fee?

No. Private (unlicensed) day homes are not contracted with a licensed agency and do not receive the Affordability Grant, so families pay the provider’s own rate rather than the flat $15/day fee.

How much is daycare in Edmonton per month?

At a licensed Edmonton daycare or family day home receiving the Affordability Grant, full-time care for a child up to kindergarten age is a flat $326.25 per month (about $15 a day); part-time is $230 per month. A private, unlicensed day home sets its own monthly rate.

How much is a day home in Edmonton?

A licensed family day home in Edmonton charges the same flat fee as a daycare — about $15 a day ($326.25/month full-time) when it receives the Affordability Grant. A private (unlicensed) day home sets its own rate, which varies by provider.

What is the average daycare cost in Alberta per month?

At licensed daycares and family day homes that receive the Affordability Grant, it is not an average: every family pays the same flat fee of $326.25 a month for full-time care of a child up to kindergarten age, or $230 for part-time. Only private day homes and out-of-school care set their own prices.

How do I pay for daycare in Alberta?

You pay the program directly, usually monthly by e-Transfer, pre-authorized debit or cheque. The provincial grant goes to the program, not to you, so your bill already reflects the flat fee. Keep your receipts: childcare is a deductible expense on your income tax return.

How much is daycare in Calgary?

The same as everywhere else in Alberta. A licensed Calgary daycare or family day home that receives the Affordability Grant charges the provincial flat fee of $326.25 a month for full-time care (about $15 a day) or $230 for part-time, for children up to kindergarten age.

How much does preschool cost in Alberta?

Each licensed preschool sets its own fee. Alberta pays licensed preschools up to $100 a month per child in affordability funding, which lowers what families pay. Ask the preschool for its current monthly rate.

What if my child is in care fewer than 50 hours a month?

The flat fee only applies to children registered for 50 or more hours a month. Under 50 hours, the program sets its own price.

What is the income limit for the Alberta child care subsidy?

The income-based subsidy — now mainly for kindergarten-to-grade-6 children in licensed out-of-school care — is available to families with total income under $90,000 a year, worth up to $644 per month for kindergarten in a facility-based program (less for grades 1 to 6).

TinyCare Connect is a connector, not a childcare agency. Listings come from public records; we don't verify, endorse, or guarantee any provider. Always do your own due diligence before making childcare decisions.