Childcare and Schools in Canada for Newcomers
Public schools in Canada are free, and each province and school board sets whether a child who is not a resident pays fees and which papers enrolment needs. ESL support is free. Regulated childcare averages $10 a day or less in eight provinces and territories, including Quebec and Manitoba, and costs more elsewhere. Each province sets its own rules.
$10 a day
The average or less for regulated childcare in eight provinces and territories (ESDC)
$9.65
Quebec’s daily rate for subsidized daycare for 2026
$19
Ontario’s average daily fee, which Ontario committed to keep until June 30, 2027
13
Provinces and territories with a Canada-wide childcare agreement
These figures change with each provincial budget and agreement.
How do schools work in Canada, and are they free?
Canada does not have a national school curriculum: education is constitutionally a provincial and territorial matter under the Constitution Act, 1867. Despite this, the basic structure is similar across the country.
- Elementary school (Kindergarten to about Grade 6)
- IRCC describes primary school as generally for children 5 to 12: optional preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 6. Depending on the province or territory, children can start as young as 4. Grade groupings vary by province.
- Middle school or junior high (in some provinces)
- Some provinces and school boards group the middle grades into a separate middle school or junior high, and which grades it covers varies.
- High school or secondary school (to Grade 12)
- IRCC describes secondary school as generally for children 12 to 18, covering grades 7 to 12, and where high school begins varies by province. Quebec’s secondary school runs five years, to Secondary V, then college (CEGEP). A high school diploma (or provincial equivalent) is required for most post-secondary programs.
Each province has publicly funded school boards. Some provinces also fund Catholic (separate) school boards, and who may enrol varies. Ask your ministry of education.
Public schools are free (IRCC). Private schools charge fees, and the rules they follow are set by each province. Home education is also an option, under rules each province and territory sets, and some require notice or registration.
How do you enrol your child in school?
Enrolment in public school is handled by local school boards (also called school districts, school divisions or district education councils, depending on the province).
Find your local school board
Identify the school board that serves your home address. The board can tell you which school serves you, and some boards run newcomer welcome or reception centres.
Gather required documents
Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport (for age and identity), proof of guardianship or custody where it applies, and proof of address (lease, utility bill, bank statement). Bring your own immigration documents too (PR card, work permit, study permit, or refugee documents).
Initial intake assessment
The first time a child enrols, the school or school board assesses their education level, decides the grade, and decides whether they need free English or French language support (IRCC).
Provide vaccination records
Some provinces and territories require proof of immunization when you enrol a child in public school (IRCC). In Ontario, for example, the Immunization of School Pupils Act requires you to report your child’s vaccinations to your local public health unit. Exemption processes vary by province.
Start school
The school or board will tell you when your child can start. IRCC notes that many schools also have settlement workers who can help students adjust.
What language support and French programs do schools offer?
English as a Second Language (ESL) or English Language Learner (ELL) support (the terminology varies by province) is provided free in public schools across Canada.
- In-class and pull-out models
- Depending on the school board, support may be delivered in the regular classroom (with a specialist), in separate ESL classes for part of the day, or in dedicated reception or welcome centres for newly arrived students.
- Duration of support
- How long language support lasts depends on the school board and on your child’s progress.
- French immersion
- Many English-language school boards offer French immersion, a program where much of the teaching is in French. Start grades, entry points, how places are given and any deadlines are set by each board.
What does $10-a-day childcare cost where you settle?
The federal government committed in 2021 to the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system and signed agreements with all 13 provinces and territories between July 2021 and March 2022. It is working towards an average of $10 a day for regulated childcare. ESDC reports that eight of the thirteen provinces and territories have reached an average of $10 a day or less, and the other five report average fee reductions of 50% or more.
| Province | What is reported |
|---|---|
| Quebec | A subsidized reduced-contribution model. The daily rate for subsidized daycare is indexed every January 1 and is set at $9.65 a day for 2026. |
| British Columbia | $10 a Day ChildCareBC centres, where access depends on each centre’s licensed capacity and waitlist, alongside a separate Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative. |
| Ontario | Average fee cuts of 50% or more (ESDC). The average is $19 a day, and under a September 2026 extension Ontario committed to keep it there until June 30, 2027. |
| Alberta | Average fee cuts of 50% or more (ESDC). |
The $10/day fee applies only to regulated childcare (licensed daycare centres and home daycares enrolled in provincial programs). Unregulated care, such as private nannies and unlicensed providers, is not covered. Regulated centres often keep wait lists.
Before and after school programs are typically offered through school boards or other providers on school premises. Fees vary.
The rule
Jurisdictions reporting an average of $10 a day or less for regulated childcare include Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon.
How do university and college differ in Canada?
- Universities
- Universities offer bachelor’s degrees (typically 3 to 4 years), master’s degrees (1 to 3 more years), doctoral degrees (3 to 4 more years), and professional degrees (law, medicine, dentistry). Each school and program sets its own admission requirements (IRCC). For Canadian citizens and permanent residents, tuition is between $2,500 and $11,400 a year depending on the school and program, and it can be much higher for international students (IRCC, July 2025).
- Colleges and polytechnics (CEGEP in Quebec)
- Colleges and institutes usually offer shorter programs than universities (1 to 3 years), leading to diplomas and certificates, and many are also starting to offer bachelor’s degrees. Quebec’s CEGEP is the college students attend after Secondary V (Grade 11): pre-university programs last two years, and technical programs generally three.
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What do people ask?
Are there nursery schools in Canada?
Yes. Canada has licensed daycare centres and licensed home daycares for children before school age, and children can start school as young as 4 or 5, depending on the province or territory. Regulated spaces get fee cuts under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care system. Regulated centres often keep wait lists, so apply early. The Cost of Living by Province guide compares childcare costs.
Can my child attend school if I only have a temporary visa?
Your province and school board set the rules. Public schools in Canada are free (IRCC), but whether a child who is not a resident pays fees, and which papers are needed, are set by each province and school board. In Ontario, the Education Act bars refusing an otherwise-entitled child under 18 because the child or a parent is unlawfully in Canada. Register through your local school board with ID, proof of address and your immigration documents, and ask about fees for your child's status. If you face a barrier, ask the board's newcomer services. The Settling in Canada: First 30 Days guide lists the other arrival steps.
Is childcare free for newcomers?
No, but regulated childcare is heavily subsidized. Under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care agreements, fees at licensed centres average $10 a day or less in eight provinces and territories. Eligibility depends on the province and on your status. Quebec, for example, lists citizens, permanent residents and temporary workers with a valid work permit among others, and excludes asylum seekers. The Cost of Living by Province guide compares childcare costs.
How much does $10-a-day childcare cost, and is it the same across Canada?
No, the rate differs by province. Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon report an average of $10 a day or less. ESDC lists Ontario and Alberta among the provinces with average fee cuts of 50% or more, not among those at $10 a day or less. Quebec's reduced rate is $9.65 a day for 2026. Confirm your community's rate with your provincial childcare authority; the Cost of Living by Province guide compares regions.
How do I find a regulated childcare space?
Search your province's childcare registry or space finder, and join wait lists early. Subsidized rates apply only to licensed daycare centres and licensed home providers in the provincial program, and private nannies do not count. Regulated centres often keep wait lists, so join early. A settlement agency may be able to help with the search, and the Free Settlement Services guide shows how to find one near you.
Do I need to speak French for my child to join French immersion?
Ask your school board, because each one sets its own rules. Many English-language school boards offer French immersion. Start grades, how places are given, any entry requirements and any deadlines are set by each board. The Settling in Canada: First 30 Days guide covers registering with your school board.
How does the Quebec school system differ?
Quebec has 6 years of elementary and 5 years of secondary, ending at Secondary V (Grade 11), then college (CEGEP) before university: pre-university programs last two years, and technical programs generally three. Quebec gives instruction in French at the preschool, elementary and secondary levels, except for students eligible for instruction in English. Ask Quebec's education ministry how eligibility for instruction in English is decided. The Quebec Immigration guide covers settling in Quebec.
What grade will my child be placed in?
The first time your child enrols, the school or school board assesses their education level, decides the grade, and decides whether they need free English or French language support (IRCC). The assessment is used for placement, not admission. Bring past report cards to the intake. The Settling in Canada: First 30 Days guide lists the documents schools ask for.
Official sources
This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.