Eligible families who have one parent who stays at home or works, volunteers or attends school less than 20 hours per week may qualify for a subsidy of up to $1,200 per year for each pre-school-aged child who attends a licensed pre-school or an approved early childhood development program.

What is an approved early childhood development program?

These are community-based services, that provide opportunities for pre-school children to participate in activities that promote healthy child development.

Eligible Programs

• Programs that promote parent and child literacy
• Play-based early childhood programs (e.g., moms and tots programs)
• Educational programs that help parents meet their child's learning and developmental needs
• (e.g., Positive Parenting, Nobody's Perfect); community-based recreational programs (e.g., Swim and Learn, Baby Steps)
• Licensed pre-schools

Programs that do not qualify

• Child care, where parents remain on-site (e.g., bingo halls, exercise facilities, etc.)
• Services that currently provide cost-free programs (e.g., Parent Link Centres)

Application process

Apply for stay-at-home parents support using the subsidy application form.