The Child Care Subsidy Program helps eligible (low to middle income) Alberta families with child
care costs. It applies to preschool-aged children who are attending licensed
day care facilities or approved family child care homes. The program is operated by
the Ministry of Children's Services and administered by Calgary and Area Child and Family Services.
Eligibility
You can apply for a subsidy if:
- Your child (or children) is 0-12 years of age and attending an approved family dayhome, licensed daycare or out-of-school care program.
- You are employed (or self-employed), attending school or a training
program, or looking for work
- You or your child has a medical, physical, psychological, or other
special need
Getting Started
You may apply for a subsidy after
enrolling your child in a care facility. If you are eligible, payments will
begin after your child is enrolled.
There are two ways parents can apply for child care subsidy.
Parents can find out how much subsidy they may be eligible to receive by accessing the
estimator tool and complete an application on-line.
You can also apply by completing a paper application and submitting it to your regional office.
- Obtain an application (223 KB PDF)
and a Child Placement
form (143KB PDF). They are available at day care facilities, family child care agencies,
and at all Calgary and Area Child and Family Services Offices.
- Information Guide to assist with completion of the Subsidy Application Form.
- Complete the application and submit
to the Calgary and Area Child and Family Services
office. Forms can be delivered to any community office and will
be forwarded to the regional office on your behalf.
- It is important that you submit a completed application. If you need
assistance, please call (403) 297-6100.
Next Steps
- The regional subsidy office will review your application and determine if
you are eligible for a subsidy. You will receive a letter advising if you qualify
and the amount.
- If your child is presently attending a day care facility or family child care home, the
facility will also receive a letter advising that you have qualified for a subsidy.
If you are not eligible, you remain responsible for paying all of the child
care costs to the facility.
- The subsidy amount varies, and will be determined based on:
- Current gross family income
- Family size
- Number of hours of child care needed each month
Subsidy Rates
Extra Fees
If your child's day care facility or familiy child care agency charges fees higher than
you receive as a subsidy, you are responsible for the difference, including
registration fees and deposits.
Appeals
You may appeal a subsidy decision within 30 days through your Subsidy Assessor
and Subsidy Supervisor. Appeal forms are available at the Subsidy Office.
Subsidy Payment
If you qualify, the subsidy will be paid directly to your day care facility
or family child care agency on your behalf.
Change in Your Situation
If there is a change in your situation, you should contact your Subsidy Office
and complete a Change of Information form.
Do not send in another application form. Failure to report
a change in your situation could mean you will be responsible
for repaying either a portion of, or the entire subsidy.
Contact Information
Calgary and Area Child and Family Services
#300 - 1240 Kensington Road NW
Calgary, AB T2N 3P7
Phone (403) 297-6100
Fax (403) 355-4410
A Parent Information Line has been established to provide Albertans with toll-free access to
early childhood development and child care information and resources.
Toll-free: 1-866-714-KIDS (5437)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if my family is eligible
for a child care subsidy?
A: Pick up an application at your daycare centre
or family child care home agency, or drop by the Calgary and Area Child and Family Services office to pick one up.
Once it is completed, return the form to Calgary and Area Child and Family Services. We will advise you by letter if a subsidy
is approved, how much we can pay and for how long OR access
Alberta Children's Services website and use the estimator tool.
Q: How do I know if I qualify for subsidy based on my income?
A: Please refer to the
subsidy estimator to determine eligibility.
Q: What kind of income do I report on the
application?
A: The application form explains the exact
kinds of income you must include and the precise items you are allowed to subtract
from your income. You must include all income from employment, even if you are
self-employed. Child Tax Benefits and GST credits are not included as income.
If you are unsure about what to report and what to deduct, please contact us.
Q: What happens to my subsidy application
after it has been submitted?
A: A Subsidy Assessor will confirm your application
is complete. If not, a letter will be sent to you requesting the required information
and/or documentation. A decision will be made based on your gross family income
and reason for using child care. A letter will be sent advising if you
qualify. If you qualify for a subsidy, you will be advised how much you will receive,
for how long and who your Subsidy Assessor is.
Q: What happens after my subsidy is approved?
A: Once your child is attending a licensed
day care or family day home facility, they will send us information on your
child's attendance. We will pay subsidy directly to your child care facility
on your behalf. You must pay your child care provider the outstanding balance
of the child care fee if applicable.
Q: If a family child care program is able to take my
child and the funding has not been approved, what do I do?
A: You can do one of two things:
- You can choose to take your child to the day care before funding is approved.
However, you are responsible for all charges to the day care facility until
your funding is approved, or
- You can wait until your funding is approved, then take your child.
If you need more information, please call (403) 297-6100.
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