Apply for Child Care Assistance
Child care assistance includes financial assistance, and resource and behaviour consultant supports.
Child care subsidy is financial assistance that covers all or part of the cost of child care for children up to 12 years of age in licensed programs. The amount of subsidy is based on income level and confirmation of the reason for care. Learn more about child care subsidy.
Applications for financial help are processed on a first come, first served basis.
We provide child care assistance to help eligible families with the costs of licensed child care and seasonal camps.
Requirements
To apply, applicants must:
- Live in Niagara
- Have each parent / guardian either employed, in school or training
- Participate in an employment or training activity through Ontario Works
- Have filed your most recent income tax return. You will need to submit your most recent Notice of Assessment and Canada Child Benefit.
- Have a confirmed child care space
Apply for child care assistance
More information
- How to apply
Applying does not confirm your eligibility for financial help. During an interview, an income test will determine your eligibility. If eligible, we will develop a placement plan for your child's care.
After you apply online, you will:
- Be contacted by staff within two business days of application to discuss registration, reason for service and next steps
- If eligible, be required to submit your current Notice of Assessment, and / or Canada Child Benefit for the most current tax year
Required documents can be attached at the end of the application, dropped off, mailed or faxed to Children's Services. Documents include current Notice of Assessment, Canada Child Benefit, employment verification letter or request for service.
- Eligibility meeting
If you have applied through the Online Registration for Fee Assistance (OLAF) or are an existing fee subsidy applicant, your caseworker will identify the specific documents required for an eligibility meeting to take place. An example of those document are:
- Employer letter (see below if you're self-employed)
- School / training verification
- Identification, such as birth certificate or passport
- Immigration documents
- Custody information
- Kinship information
Self-employed / incorporated
If you're self-employed, you must provide:
- Your current Notice of Assessment and / or Canada Child Benefit
- Self declaration form
If you're incorporated, you must bring:
- Corporate Tax Return
- Personal Income Tax Return (T1)
- Recent T4 and pay stub
More documentation may be requested by your caseworker after review of your file.
- Your responsibilities while receiving subsidy
Once receiving child care subsidy, you're responsible to:
- Renew your Child Care Subsidy Agreement every year with your Children's Services caseworker
- Respond to all communication about your child care
- Ensure your child attends the program every day they are scheduled. Contact the child care program if your child is ill and unable to attend. Contact the Children's Services caseworker if your child is ill for three days or more
- Inform your Children's Services caseworker of any changes to your work or school situation, living arrangements, address and contact information
- Give at least two weeks notice to the child care program and Children's Services caseworker before withdrawing your child(ren) from care. This is important to avoid costs being charged that cannot be covered by subsidy
- Ensure that you contact your Children's Services caseworker before registering your child in any program or switching your child to a new program
Details of all responsibilities are included in our standard Parental Agreement and Roles and Responsibilities.
© Niagara Region - 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON, L2V 4T7 - Phone: 905-980-6000, Toll-free: 1-800-263-7215
