This CWELCC Cost-Based Child Care Funding Estimator (this “tool”) is being provided for general illustrative and informational purposes only.
This tool is only able to provide an estimate of the cost-based funding that a CWELCC-enrolled licensee may receive in 2025. Every licensee’s situation is different and only a Consolidated Municipal Service Manager (CMSM) or District Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB) can determine the amount of funding that a licensee may receive.
This tool is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations in any circumstances. It may not cover aspects of your particular situation and an assessment by a CMSM/DSSAB could produce a result that differs from the estimate provided by this tool. Therefore, for decision-making purposes, a licensee should not rely on the information provided by this tool and should consult with the relevant CMSM/DSSAB.
This tool does not generate an enrolment application nor does it impact a licensee’s enrolment status.
The ministry assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions within the tool. The ministry makes no representation or warranty of any kind whatsoever with respect to this tool. Under no circumstances shall the ministry be held liable for any loss or damage (including any type of damage), which may be attributable to the reliance on and use of the tool.
The ministry does not retain any of the data entered into the tool. Data is transmitted to the tool for calculation and the results are transmitted back to the user’s computer. Please be aware that some data may remain on the user's computer at the end of the session. For more information on the Government of Ontario’s information management practices on our website please follow the privacy link at the bottom of this page.
This tool helps you estimate the cost-based funding available to child care centres and home child care agencies in 2025. The funding is meant to cover the cost of caring for children aged 0 to 5 in a child care centre, or home child care agency, participating in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system.
At a high-level, the cost-based funding allocation is the result of adding an amount to cover costs, plus an amount in lieu of profit/surplus, minus the expected base fees that the centre/agency will receive from parents.
Before you start, it is essential that you prepare a detailed operational plan for the centre or agency for the 2025 calendar year. This plan is often referred to as a budget.
From this budget, for centres, you will enter information into this tool such as the number of existing and expected new licensed spaces by age group, along with the planned service days for each space. For agencies, you will enter information such as the number of existing and expected new active homes, along with the planned service days for each active home. Additionally, having information about the date of CWELCC enrollment, planned legacy costs, and projected parent fee revenue for 2025 will be crucial for an accurate funding estimation.
If you have any questions on CWELCC funding in Ontario, including cost-based funding, please contact your CMSM/DSSAB.
If you encounter any problems using this estimator, please email CostbasedFundingHelp@ontario.ca or call toll-free at 1-833-560-2662 or at 416-340-2662.
