Child Care Fee Subsidy

In order to be eligible for child care subsidy, each parent must complete an income tax return every year. Eligibility for fee subsidy is based on the family’s net income, shown on line 236 of your most recent Revenue Canada Notice of Assessment. The following table gives an example of the monthly amount that the family would have to contribute to child care costs.

If the actual child care costs exceed the parental contribution amount then you may be eligible for fee subsidy.

Fee subsidies are available across a broad range of income levels. Families with an adjusted annual income of up to $20,000 are eligible for full fee subsidy and no calculation of a parental contribution is required.

For families with adjusted annual income above $20,000, the parental contribution is calculated based on 10% of their adjusted income over $20,000.

For families with adjusted annual income above $40,000, the parental contribution is calculated at 10% of the amount over $20,000 up to $40,000 plus 30% of the amount over $40,000.

The monthly parental contribution is calculated by dividing the annual parental contribution amount by 12.

The income test is designed such that parents pay the monthly parental contribution as calculated above in each month that their child(ren) need child care regardless of the number of days of child care per week.

The daily contribution amount is calculated using the following formula: (Monthly parental contribution) / (Days of care per week x 4.35)

Although children are expected to attend the Child Care centre in accordance with the approved hours and days of care, Children’s Services recognizes that planned and unforeseen absences will occur throughout the year.  The allotment of absent/vacation days is intended to support parents in meeting their child and family’s child care needs.

If child care fee subsidy is approved for a child enrolled in child care five (5) days per week to begin care in January, twenty-four (24) absent days are allocated for the year.  However, if child care begins during any other month (other than January) or if a child is enrolled less than five (5) days per week, the absent days allotted will be prorated.

Example of prorated circumstances:

• If child care fee subsidy is approved for a child enrolled in child care five (5) days per week is approved for fee subsidy in the month of August, ten (10) absent days are allocated for the remainder of the year;
• If child care fee subsidy is approved for a child enrolled in child care three (3) days per week, fourteen (14) absent days are allocated for the year;
• If child care fee subsidy is approved for a child enrolled in child care for PD days and breaks, twelve (12) absent days are allocated for the year, or prorated based on month enrolled.

You must report changes to your Children’s Services Representative immediately to determine your continued ongoing eligibility for child care subsidy if your circumstances change for any reason, including, but not limited to the following:

• Marital status or family size
• Employment or schooling status (including change in hours of employment)
• Enrolment in an educational program (including dropping or adding courses)
• Changes in residence – if you move or change your phone number

Please note: You must file an income tax return each year, respond to all letters, and submit information by the deadline given.

If you will be experiencing a decrease in adjusted gross income (line 236 of your Notice of Assessment) of 20 percent or more within the calendar year, you may be eligible for a decrease in your child care contribution. Contact your Children’s Services Representative to determine if your decreased adjusted gross income impacts your assessed contribution amount.

If you fail to report any changes that may impact your child care subsidy, Children’s Services reserves the right to recover overpayments.  An overpayment is the difference between the amount of Fee Subsidy paid on behalf of the Applicant(s) less the amount that actually should have been paid according to their circumstances.

For further information regarding the Fee Subsidy Overpayments and Recoveries policy, please contact ChildrenServices@dnssab.ca.

Children’s Services has established a complaint resolution and appeal process to address complaints and disputes related to fee subsidy in order to provide services that are fair, equitable, transparent and addressed in a timely manner.  

Applicants should first discuss the concern with their Children’s Services Representative (CSR) in order that the decision can be explained in detail and/or seek a possible resolution to the dispute.  If there is not resolution, the Applicant must submit an appeal letter, signed and dated, to the attention of the Supervisor or designate, within ten (10) business days.   

Nipissing’s Child Care Registry is the easiest way to find early learning and child care programs throughout the District of Nipissing.  In order to find licensed child care program visit Nipissing’s Child Care Registry. This website provides a list of all the available licensed child care locations and programs providing services for children from infancy up to 12 years of age.

Once your name and contact information has been added to the Registry, a licensed child care provider will contact you as soon as a space becomes available.

The following documentation will be required to determine eligibility for child care fee subsidy:

• Most recent Notice of Assessment or Canadian Child Benefit Notice; or most recent OW/ODSP statement
• Confirmation – Reason for service (e.g. Employment, Education or Special Needs referral for child or parent)
• Identification for each family member (Health Card and SIN not accepted)
• Custody Agreement (if applicable)

Additional information may be requested by the CSR at the time of application, depending on individual circumstances (e.g. self-employed.)  

Eligibility will be determined once verification is completed by your CSR.  The time it takes to verify your application will be dependent on how quickly all of the required documentation is submitted to your CSR.  

On at least an annual basis, your child care subsidy file will be reviewed and you will be required to submit requested documents in order to determine your continued eligibility.

While receiving child care subsidy, your Children's Services Representative (CSR) will work with you to make sure you get the service and supports you need. If you still have unanswered questions, please contact your CSR.

Children’s Services is obligated, through the service agreement with the early learning and child care centre, to pay two weeks’ notice of child care fees from the date that services are no longer required, provided that another child is not waiting to fill the space you no longer require.

You are responsible to give two weeks’ notice to the child care centre and advise your Children’s Services Representative immediately should you no longer require child care services.

If your child has special needs, please have a health or social services professional complete the Special Needs Referral for Child Care Fee Subsidy form and send it to your Children's Services Representative.