Toronto launches a one-time grant for school-age child care programs
The City of Toronto has introduced a new One-Time School Age Grant for 2026 to support licensed school-age programs running in child care centres and home child care agencies. The city frames it as recognition of the real financial pressure these programs face, and as a way to protect equitable access to quality care for children aged 6 to 12.
The grant flows through two streams. Eligible child care centres receive $1,000 for each school-age operating space, and home child care agencies receive $1,000 for each active provider plus an additional 10 percent toward administration. Operators with a fee subsidy agreement receive $1,500 for every new school-age fee subsidy placement made in 2026, paid out after year end.
The funding can go toward a wide range of operating costs, including staff wages and benefits, professional development, program supplies, enrichment activities, food, transportation, rent, utilities and facility upkeep.
It is welcome, practical relief for many programs. As the sector has noted, one-time funding helps in the short term but does not replace the predictable, ongoing investment that lets operators plan staffing and budgets with confidence. For 2026, though, this is a meaningful step for school-age care in Toronto.
