Calculation of the cost of a childcare
`space in 2025`

To obtain additional information on this tool, please visit the Daily childcare cost in 2025 page.

Specifically

If you have paid for non-subsidized childcare, you may be entitled to a refundable tax credit in Québec that significantly reduces the net fee difference compared to subsidized childcare.

The following links will open a new window to another website.

Your family situation

Your gross work income in 2025 Your gross work income This income corresponds to the sum of lines 101, 105 and 107 that you intend to enter on your 2025 income tax return. The maximum income accepted by the calculator is $250 000.

Your spouse's gross work income in 2025 Your spouse's gross work income This income corresponds to the sum of lines 101, 105 and 107 that you intend to enter for your spouse's 2025 income tax return. The maximum income accepted by the calculator is $250 000.

Number of childcare days during the year Number of childcare days during the year On average, a child attends childcare for approximately 180 days in a year. A child who attends childcare on a full-time basis for an entire year will have 260 days of childcare.

Daily householdparental contribution
(Non-subsidized childcare services)

Subsidized
childcare space

Non‑subsidized
childcare space

Difference

Gross householdparental cost

Québec assistance

Refundable Tax Credit for Childcare Expenses

Federal assistance

Child care expenses deduction This link opens a new window. Child care expenses deduction The federal childcare expenses deduction reduces a taxpayer’s income by the amount of eligible childcare expenses paid. As a result, the deduction reduces tax payable and increases certain social and tax transfers determined by family income.

Impact on federal income tax

Federal income tax

Impact on socio-fiscal transfers

Canada Child Benefit

Canada Workers Benefit

GST credit

Net cost

Annie and Eric have a 1-year-old son called Charles-Henri in reduced-contribution childcare. Their annual family income is $100 000. In 2025, the cost of a childcare space is $9.35 per day in their case. However, taking the Québec and federal tax systems into account, it will cost Annie and Eric $7.88 per day to send their son to reduced-contribution childcare.

If they had decided to send their son to childcare at the regular rate of $40 per day, their net cost, taking the Québec and federal tax systems into account, would have been $7.17 per day.

Moreover, Annie and Eric may choose to claim the Québec refundable tax credit for childcare expenses and the federal child care expenses deduction on their income tax return, but they can also do so during the year. Indeed, the Québec tax credit can be paid in advance and the federal deduction can be paid in the form of a reduction in source deductions.

The calculator was updated on February 4, 2025.

Calculation of the cost of a childcare space in 2025

Example for a couple with a 1-year-old child

Calculation of the cost of a childcare
`space in 2025`