Canadian Survey on the Provision of Child Care Services, 2026

Service characteristics

1. As of February 17, 2026, please select whether there was regular ongoing child care services provided at this location for each of the following age groups: 

Regular ongoing child care services include full-time, part-time, before and after school, overnight, and weekend services provided on a fixed or flexible schedule and drop-in child care.
If this organization is providing child care services at more than one address, please respond for this location only. 
If this organization is a school, please report for the activities taking place at the child care service only.
Select all that apply.

• Children aged 5 or younger
• Children aged 6 to 12 years old
  Or
• None of the above

Flow Condition: If "None of the above" is selected in Q1, exit survey. Otherwise go to Q2.

2. As of February 17, 2026, what type of child care services did this location provide? 

• Home-based
  e.g. , family child care, child care services provided in a private residence
• Centre-based
  e.g. ,child care services provided in a facility that is not a private residence
  • On February 17, 2026, was this centre part of a multi-site child care program?
    i.e., this child care organization provides child care services at more than one address
    • Yes 
    • No

3. In what year was your home child care service or this centre first established?

Year your home child care service or this centre was first established:
OR 
Don’t know

Flow Condition: If "Centre-based" is selected in Q2, go to Q3. Otherwise go to Q5.

4. Is this centre licensed to provide child care services by either the provincial or territorial or local government?

• Yes
  • In what year was it first licensed?
    Year:
• No
• Don't know

Flow Condition: If "Home-based" was selected in Q2, go to Q5. Otherwise go to Q6.

5. To which of the following categories does this home child care service belong?

• Licensed by the provincial or territorial or local government directly
  e.g., licensed by the province or territory, city or municipality
  • In what year was it licensed?
    Year:
• Approved or registered by a child care agency, association or coordinating office
  • In what year was it approved or registered?
    Year:
• Not licensed by the provincial or territorial or local government directly and not approved or registered by a child care agency, association, or coordinating office
  • Has this home child care service previously been licensed by the provincial or territorial or local government or approved or registered by a child care agency?
    • Yes
    • No

Flow Condition: If "Not licensed by the provincial or territorial or local government directly and not approved or registered by a child care agency, association, or coordinating office" was selected in Q5, go to Q6. Otherwise go to Q7.

6. For which of the following reasons is this home child care service unlicensed?

Select all that apply.

• This home is in the process of becoming licensed
• To maintain control this business
• There is no benefit to me becoming licensed
• This home does not meet all the requirements 
• There are too many requirements
• Do not plan on providing care for long enough to make it worthwhile
• Did not know about the licensing system
• The costs associated with meeting the licensing requirements are too high
• It is not necessary to obtain licensing for this business
• Other reasons
  • Specify other reasons:

Flow condition: If "Centre-based" was selected in Q2, go to Q7. Otherwise go to Q10.

7. On February 17, 2026, was this centre operated directly by a government agency?

e.g., school board or district, municipality, regional district or public health authority

• Yes
• No
• Don’t know

8. On February 17, 2026, was this centre operated by a First Nations, Métis or Inuit organization or association?

• Yes
• No
• Don’t know

Flow condition: If “No” was selected in Q7 and Q8, go to Q9. Otherwise go to Q10.

9. On February 17, 2026, what was the status of this centre?

• Non-profit
  i.e., organized and operated exclusively for a purpose other than profit
  Include charities.
  • Has this centre ever operated as a for-profit organization?    
    • Yes 
    • No
    • Don’t know
• For-profit
  i.e., privately owned and operated
  • Has this centre ever operated as a non-profit organization?
    • Yes 
    • No
    • Don’t know
• Other status
  • Specify the other status:

10. On February 17, 2026, what types of care options did your home child care service or this centre offer?

Select all that apply.

• Full-time
  Child care offered for 6 hours or more per day and at least 5 days per week.
• Part-time
  Child care offered for either 6 hours or more per day and less than 5 days per week or for less than 6 hours per day, for any number of days per week.
• Before school
• After school
• Weekends
• Evenings
  Child care offered after 6 PM.
• Overnight
• Drop-in
• Flexible
  Additional or alternative days of child care offered upon request for non regular full-time children.

11. On February 17, 2026, what languages were regularly spoken while providing child care with children or parents in your home child care service or this centre?

Include only languages that services are provided in.
Select all that apply.

• English
• French
• Chinese
• Punjabi
• Indigenous languages
• Other languages
  • Specify the other languages spoken:

Operating days

12. In January 2026, what were the usual days of operation of your home child care service or this centre? 

Usual days of operation are the days during which your home child care service or this centre is open to provide care for children.

Select all that apply.

• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday
• Saturday
• Sunday

Operating hours

Display condition: Only days of the week that were selected in Q12 are shown in Q13.

13. In January 2026, what were the operating hours of your home child care service or this centre during its usual days of operation?

Operating hours are the hours during which your home child care service or this centre is open to provide care for children.

• Monday
  • Start time
  • End time
• Tuesday
  • Start time
  • End time
• Wednesday
  • Start time
  • End time
• Thursday
  • Start time
  • End time
• Friday
  • Start time
  • End time
• Saturday
  • Start time
  • End time
• Sunday
  • Start time
  • End time

Maximum capacity

14. On February 17, 2026, what was the overall maximum capacity of your home child care service or this centre?

Maximum capacity refers to the maximum number of children to which child care services can be provided to at one time during your home child care service's or this centre's operating hours.

Report the maximum capacity or maximum number of children allowed at this child care location, considering the number of caregivers and the ages of the children enrolled. This would typically be indicated on the child care licence or permit for this child care location. 

Maximum capacity in number of children:

15. On February 17, 2026, was your home child care service or this centre operating at its maximum capacity?

Refers to capacity occupied by children who were scheduled to attend on this day, even if they were absent.

• Yes
• No
  • On February 17, 2026, how many more children would your home child care service or this centre have been allowed to provide care to?
    • Number of children:

16. Compared to February 18, 2025, has there been a change in the maximum capacity of your home child care service or this centre?

Maximum capacity refers to the maximum number of children to which child care services can be provided to at one time during your home child care service's or this centre's operating hours.

• Yes, there has been an increase in maximum capacity
• Yes, there has been a decrease in maximum capacity
• No change

Enrollment

Flow condition: If "Centre-based" is selected in Q2, go to Q17. Otherwise, go to Q19.

17. On February 17, 2026, how many children were enrolled at this centre?

Include children 12 years and younger, including those enrolled full-time, part-time, before school only, after school only or both before and after school.

Full-time refers to children enrolled to attend this centre for 6 hours or more per day, at least 5 days per week. Part-time refers to children enrolled to attend this centre for either 6 hours or more per day and less than 5 days per week or for less than 6 hours per day, for any number of days per week.

Total number of children enrolled:

Total number of children enrolled may exceed the maximum capacity of this centre.

Display condition: Based on the province or territory the home or centre was located in, the age groups for that province or territory were displayed.

18. On February 17, 2026, how many children were enrolled at this centre on a full-time and part-time basis by age group?

Provide the number of children enrolled full-time and part-time separately by age group. Age groups provided are defined by provincial or territorial licensing age ranges or by child care agencies, associations or coordinating offices.

Count each child once according to the age group to which the child was assigned to meet provincial or territorial maximum group size regulations.

Full-time refers to children enrolled to attend this centre for 6 hours or more per day, at least 5 days per week. Part-time refers to children enrolled to attend this centre for either 6 hours or more per day and less than 5 days per week or for less than 6 hours per day, for any number of days per week.

Enter "0" if there is no value to report.

Newfoundland and Labrador:

• a. Infants – aged less than 24 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• b. Toddlers – children aged 18 months to less than 3 years
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• c. Pre-school age children – children aged 2 years, 9 months to less than 5 years, 9 months who do not attend pre-kindergarten nor school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• d. Pre-kindergarten age children – children aged 3 years, 8 months to less than 5 years, 9 months who attend pre-kindergarten
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• e. School age children – children aged 4 years, 8 months to 13 years who attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time

Prince Edward Island:

• a. Children aged less than 22 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• b. Children aged 22 months to 3 years
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• c. Children aged 3 years or more who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• d. School age children – children aged 3 years or more who attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time

Nova Scotia:

• a. Infants – children aged less than 18 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• b. Toddlers – children aged 18 months to less than 36 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• c. Preschoolers – children aged 3 years or older who do not attend school nor a pre-primary program
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• d. Pre-primary children – children who attend a pre-primary program
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• e. School-age children – children 12 and under who attend school above pre-primary level
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time

New Brunswick:

• a. Infants – children aged less than 2 years
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• b. Preschool children, aged 2 years old
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• c. Preschool children, aged 3 years old – Children who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• d. Preschool children, aged 4 years or older – Children who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• e. School-age children – children who attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time

Quebec:

• a. Children aged less than 18 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• b. Children aged 18 months to less than 4 years who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• c. Children aged 4 years or more who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• d. Children who attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time

Ontario:

• a. Infants – children aged less than 18 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• b. Toddlers – children aged 18 months to less than 30 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• c. Preschool age children – children aged 30 months to less than 6 years who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• d. Kindergarten age children – children aged 44 months to less than 7 years who attend kindergarten
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• e. Primary / Junior grade school age children – children aged 68 months to 12 years who attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time

Manitoba:

• a. Infants, aged 12 weeks to less than 12 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• b. Infants, aged 12 months to less than 24 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• c. Preschool age children, aged 2 years old
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• d. Preschool age children, aged 3 years old – children who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• e. Preschool age children, aged 4 years old – children who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• f. Preschool age children, aged 5 years and older – children who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• g. School age children - children who attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time

Saskatchewan:

• a. Infants – children aged 6 weeks to less than 18 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• b. Toddlers – children aged 18 months to less than 30 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• c. Preschool children – children aged 30 months or more who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• d. School-age children – children who attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time

Alberta:

• a. Infants, aged less than 12 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• b. Infants, aged 12 months to less than 19 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• c. Children aged 19 months to less than 3 years – children who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• d. Pre-school children, aged 3 years to less than 4 years – children who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• e. Pre-school children, aged 4 years or more – children who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• f. Kindergarten children and school-aged children – children aged 4 years or more who attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time

British Columbia:

• a. Children aged less than 18 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• b. Children aged 18 months to less than 30 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• c. Preschool children - Children aged 30 months or more who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• d. School age children – Children who attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time

Yukon:

• a. Infants - children less than 18 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• b. Preschool children, aged 18 months to less than 3 years – children who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• c. Preschool children, aged 3 years or more – children who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• d. School age children – children who attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time

Northwest Territories:

• a. Infants, aged less than 13 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• b. Infants, aged 13 months to less than 25 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• c. Preschool child, aged 25 months to less than 36 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• d. Preschool children, aged 3 years – children who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• e. Preschool children, aged 4 years – children who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• f. Preschool children, aged 5 years or more – children who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• g. School age children – children who attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time

Nunavut:

• a. Children aged 0 to 12 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• b. Children aged 13 to 24 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• c. Children aged 25 to 35 months
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• d. Children aged 3 years
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• e. Children aged 4 years who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• f. Children aged 5 years or more who do not attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time
• g. School age children – children who attend school
  • Number of children enrolled full-time
  • Number of children enrolled part-time

Flow condition: If "Home-based" is selected in Q2, go to Q19. Otherwise, go to Q20.

19. On February 17, 2026, how many children were enrolled at this home child care service by age group?

If applicable, include your own children or children living in your household who count toward the maximum number of children allowed at this child care service.

Children attending school includes children regardless of age, in full or part-day schooling external to the child care service, enrolled to attend this home service either 6 hours or more per day and less than 5 days per week or for less than 6 hours per day, for any number of days per week.

Enter "0" if there is no value to report. Total number of children enrolled may exceed the maximum capacity of this home child care service.

• a. Children aged 5 and younger not attending school
  • Number of children enrolled
• b. Children attending school
  Include children regardless of age in full day or part day schooling.
  • Number of children enrolled

Flow condition: If "Centre-based" is selected in Q2, and did not report any infant enrollment in Q18, go to Q20. Otherwise, go to Q21.

20. Does this centre accept infants for enrollment?

• Yes
• No

21. On February 17, 2026, did your home child care service or this centre have a list of children waiting to be enrolled?

• Yes
• No

Flow condition: If “Centre-based” is selected in Q2, go to Q22. Otherwise, go to Q23.
Display condition: Based on the province or territory the centre was located in, the age groups for which the centre reported enrollment were displayed.

22. On February 17, 2026, how many rooms and employees were allocated to children enrolled at this centre by age group?

Rooms with mixed age groups should be assigned to the age group that contains most of the children in that room. For example, if a room contains 4 toddlers and 6 pre-school aged children, allocate the room to the pre-school aged group. For rooms that contain an equal number of children in more than one age group, assign the rooms to the youngest age group. For example, if a room contain 4 toddlers and 4 pre-school aged children, allocate the room to the toddler age group. 

Newfoundland and Labrador:

• a. Infants – aged less than 24 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• b. Toddlers – children aged 18 months to less than 3 years
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• c. Pre-school age children – children aged 2 years, 9 months to less than 5 years, 9 months who do not attend pre-kindergarten nor school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• d. Pre-kindergarten age children – children aged 3 years, 8 months to less than 5 years, 9 months who attend pre-kindergarten
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• e. School age children – children aged 4 years, 8 months to 13 years who attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care

Prince Edward Island:

• a. Children aged less than 22 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• b. Children aged 22 months to 3 years
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• c. Children aged 3 years or more who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• d. School age children – children aged 3 years or more who attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care

Nova Scotia:

• a. Infants – children aged less than 18 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• b. Toddlers – children aged 18 months to less than 36 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• c. Preschoolers – children aged 3 years or older who do not attend school nor a pre-primary program
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• d. Pre-primary children – children who attend a pre-primary program
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• e. School-age children – children 12 and under who attend school above pre-primary level
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care

New Brunswick:

• a. Infants – children aged less than 2 years
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• b. Preschool children, aged 2 years old
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• c. Preschool children, aged 3 years old – Children who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• d. Preschool children, aged 4 years or older – Children who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• e. School-age children – children who attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care

Quebec:

• a. Children aged less than 18 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• b. Children aged 18 months to less than 4 years who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• c. Children aged 4 years or more who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• d. Children who attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care

Ontario:

• a. Infants – children aged less than 18 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• b. Toddlers – children aged 18 months to less than 30 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• c. Preschool age children – children aged 30 months to less than 6 years who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• d. Kindergarten age children – children aged 44 months to less than 7 years who attend kindergarten
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• e. Primary / Junior grade school age children – children aged 68 months to 12 years who attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care

Manitoba:

• a. Infants, aged 12 weeks to less than 12 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• b. Infants, aged 12 months to less than 24 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• c. Preschool age children, aged 2 years old
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• d. Preschool age children, aged 3 years old – children who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• e. Preschool age children, aged 4 years old – children who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• f. Preschool age children, aged 5 years and older – children who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• g. School age children - children who attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care

Saskatchewan:

• a. Infants – children aged 6 weeks to less than 18 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• b. Toddlers – children aged 18 months to less than 30 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• c. Preschool children – children aged 30 months or more who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• d. School-age children – children who attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care

Alberta:

• a. Infants, aged less than 12 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• b. Infants, aged 12 months to less than 19 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• c. Children aged 19 months to less than 3 years – children who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• d. Pre-school children, aged 3 years to less than 4 years – children who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• e. Pre-school children, aged 4 years or more – children who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• f. Kindergarten children and school-aged children – children aged 4 years or more who attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care

British Columbia:

• a. Children aged less than 18 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• b. Children aged 18 months to less than 30 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• c. Preschool children - Children aged 30 months or more who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• d. School age children – Children who attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care

Yukon:

• a. Infants - children less than 18 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• b. Preschool children, aged 18 months to less than 3 years – children who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• c. Preschool children, aged 3 years or more – children who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• d. School age children – children who attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care

Northwest Territories:

• a. Infants, aged less than 13 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• b. Infants, aged 13 months to less than 25 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• c. Preschool child, aged 25 months to less than 36 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• d. Preschool children, aged 3 years – children who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• e. Preschool children, aged 4 years – children who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• f. Preschool children, aged 5 years or more – children who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• g. School age children – children who attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care

Nunavut:

• a. Children aged 0 to 12 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• b. Children aged 13 to 24 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• c. Children aged 25 to 35 months
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• d. Children aged 3 years
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• e. Children aged 4 years who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• f. Children aged 5 years or more who do not attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care
• g. School age children – children who attend school
  • Number of rooms allocated
  • Number of employees providing direct care

Fees

Flow condition: If “Centre-based” is selected in Q2, go to next condition. Otherwise, go to Q24. 
If infant age groups were not reported in Q18 and school age groups were reported in Q18, go to Q24.
Display condition: Based on the province or territory the centre was located in, the age groups for which the centre reported enrollment were displayed.

23. On February 17, 2026, what were the full-time fees collected from parents per child by age group?

Age groups provided are those defined in provincial or territorial child care regulations.

Full-time refers to children enrolled to attend this centre for 6 hours or more per day, at least 5 days per week.

Newfoundland and Labrador:

• a. Infants – aged less than 24 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• b. Toddlers – children aged 18 months to less than 3 years
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• c. Pre-school age children – children aged 2 years, 9 months to less than 5 years, 9 months who do not attend pre-kindergarten nor school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 

Prince Edward Island:

• a. Children aged less than 22 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• b. Children aged 22 months to 3 years
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• c. Children aged 3 years or more who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 

Nova Scotia:

• a. Infants – children aged less than 18 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• b. Toddlers – children aged 18 months to less than 36 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• c. Preschoolers – children aged 3 years or older who do not attend school nor a pre-primary program
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 

New Brunswick:

• a. Infants – children aged less than 2 years
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• b. Preschool children, aged 2 years old
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• c. Preschool children, aged 3 years old – Children who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• d. Preschool children, aged 4 years or older – Children who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 

Quebec:

• a. Children aged less than 18 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• b. Children aged 18 months to less than 4 years who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• c. Children aged 4 years or more who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 

Ontario:

• a. Infants – children aged less than 18 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• b. Toddlers – children aged 18 months to less than 30 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• c. Preschool age children – children aged 30 months to less than 6 years who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 

Manitoba:

• a. Infants, aged 12 weeks to less than 12 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• b. Infants, aged 12 months to less than 24 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• c. Preschool age children, aged 2 years old
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• d. Preschool age children, aged 3 years old – children who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• e. Preschool age children, aged 4 years old – children who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• f. Preschool age children, aged 5 years and older – children who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 

Saskatchewan:

• a. Infants – children aged 6 weeks to less than 18 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• b. Toddlers – children aged 18 months to less than 30 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• c. Preschool children – children aged 30 months or more who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 

Alberta:

• a. Infants, aged less than 12 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• b. Infants, aged 12 months to less than 19 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• c. Children aged 19 months to less than 3 years – children who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• d. Pre-school children, aged 3 years to less than 4 years – children who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• e. Pre-school children, aged 4 years or more – children who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 

British Columbia:

• a. Children aged less than 18 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• b. Children aged 18 months to less than 30 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• c. Preschool children - Children aged 30 months or more who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 

Yukon:

• a. Infants - children less than 18 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• b. Preschool children, aged 18 months to less than 3 years – children who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• c. Preschool children, aged 3 years or more – children who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 

Northwest Territories:

• a. Infants, aged less than 13 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• b. Infants, aged 13 months to less than 25 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• c. Preschool child, aged 25 months to less than 36 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• d. Preschool children, aged 3 years – children who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• e. Preschool children, aged 4 years – children who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• f. Preschool children, aged 5 years or more – children who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 

Nunavut:

• a. Children aged 0 to 12 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• b. Children aged 13 to 24 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• c. Children aged 25 to 35 months
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• d. Children aged 3 years
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• e. Children aged 4 years who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 
• f. Children aged 5 years or more who do not attend school
  • Full-time fee per child
  • Frequency 

Flow condition: If "Home-based" is selected in Q2 and "Children aged 5 and younger not attending school" is reported in Q19, or "Children aged 5 and younger not attending school" and "Children attending school" are 0 in Q19, or "Children aged 5 and younger not attending school" and "Children attending school" are nonresponse in Q19, or "Children aged 5 and younger not attending school" is nonresponse and "Children attending school" is 0 in Q19, go to Q24. Otherwise, go to Q25.

24. On February 17, 2026, what was the full-time fee collected from parents for children aged 5 and younger that were not attending school?

Full-time refers to children enrolled to attend this home child care for 6 hours or more per day, at least 5 days per week.

If there are multiple fees, indicate the most frequently charged.

• a. Children aged 5 and younger not attending school
  • Full-time fee per child 
  • Frequency 

Flow condition: If “Centre-based” is selected in Q2, go to next condition. Otherwise, go to Q26. If infant age groups were not reported in Q18 and school age groups were reported in Q18, go to Q26. 
Display condition: Based on the province or territory the centre was located in, the age groups for which the centre reported enrollment were displayed

25. On February 17, 2026, what were the fees collected from parents per child by age group? 

Age groups are those defined by provincial or territorial child care regulations.

Newfoundland and Labrador:

• d. Pre-kindergarten age children – children aged 3 years, 8 months to less than 5 years, 9 months who attend pre-kindergarten
  • Fee collected per child 
  • Frequency
• e. School age children – children aged 4 years, 8 months to 13 years who attend school
  • Fee collected per child 
  • Frequency

Prince Edward Island:

• d. School age children – children aged 3 years or more who attend school
  • Fee collected per child 
  • Frequency

Nova Scotia:

• d. Pre-primary children – children who attend a pre-primary program
  • Fee collected per child 
  • Frequency
• e. School-age children – children 12 and under who attend school above pre-primary level
  • Fee collected per child 
  • Frequency

New Brunswick:

• e. School-age children – children who attend school
  • Fee collected per child 
  • Frequency

Quebec:

• d. Children who attend school
  • Fee collected per child 
  • Frequency

Ontario:

• d. Kindergarten age children – children aged 44 months to less than 7 years who attend kindergarten
  • Fee collected per child 
  • Frequency
• e. Primary / Junior grade school age children – children aged 68 months to 12 years who attend school
  • Fee collected per child 
  • Frequency

Manitoba:

• g. School age children - children who attend school
  • Fee collected per child 
  • Frequency

Saskatchewan:

• d. School-age children – children who attend school
  • Fee collected per child 
  • Frequency

Alberta:

• f. Kindergarten children and school-aged children – children aged 4 years or more who attend school
  • Fee collected per child 
  • Frequency

British Columbia:

• d. School age children – Children who attend school
  • Fee collected per child 
  • Frequency

Yukon:

• d. School age children – children who attend school
  • Fee collected per child 
  • Frequency

Northwest Territories:

• g. School age children – children who attend school
  • Fee collected per child 
  • Frequency

Nunavut:

• g. School age children – children who attend school
  • Fee collected per child 
  • Frequency

Flow condition: If "Home-based" is selected in Q2 and "Children attending school" is reported in Q19, or "Children aged 5 and younger not attending school" and "Children attending school" are 0 in Q19, or "Children aged 5 and younger not attending school" and "Children attending school" are nonresponse in Q19 or, "Children aged 5 and younger not attending school" is 0 and "Children attending school" is nonresponse in Q19, go to Q26. Otherwise, go to Q27.

26. On February 17, 2026, what was the fee collected from parents for school-aged children at your home child care service? 

If there are multiple fees, indicate the most frequently charged.

• a. Children attending school
  Include children regardless of age in full day or part day schooling.
  • Fee collected per child 
  • Frequency

27. On February 17, 2026, did your home child care service or this centre charge parents for other goods or services in addition to those covered by the set daily fee?    

Include transportation, late pick up, supplies, food, diapers, activity fee and field trips.

• Yes
  • Which of the following goods or services did your home child care service or this centre charge parents for?
    Select all that apply.
    • Transportation
    • Late pick up
    • Supplies
    • Food
    • Diapers
    • Activity fee
      Include field trips.
    • Registration, administration, or cancellation fee
    • Other
      • Specify other: 
• No
• Don't know

Flow condition: If province is Quebec, go to Q29. Otherwise go to next condition. 
If “Home-based” is selected in Q2 and “Approved or registered by a child care agency, association or coordinating office” or “Not licensed by the provincial or territorial or local government directly and not approved or registered by a child care agency, association, or coordinating office” is select in Q5, go to Q28. Otherwise go to next condition. 
If “Centre-based” is select in Q2, go to Q28. Otherwise go to Q29.

Subsidies

28. Did any of the children enrolled at you home child care service or this centre on February 17, 2026 receive a subsidy to cover all or part of the usual parent fee?

Include costs that parents received full or partial direct coverage for.
Exclude the Canada Child Benefit, the Child Care Expense Deduction, and other child care tax credits.

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

Workforce characteristics

Flow condition: If "Centre-based" is selected in Q2, go to Q29. Otherwise go to Q30.

29. On the last pay period of January 2026 how many paid employees did this centre have in the following categories?

Include paid employees at this location who work on-site, as well as casual workers, supply staff, on call employees, paid students and employees that work full-time or part-time. Exclude volunteers and any unpaid employees or students.

Supervisory staff includes directors, managers, or supervisors regardless of whether they provided direct care to children or not.

Full-time employees include employees that work 30 hours or more per week.

Part-time employees include employees that work less than 30 hours per week.

• a. Supervisory staff
  Include directors, managers, or supervisors.
  • Full-time employees
  • Part-time employees
  • Casual, on call, or supply staff
• b. Non-supervisory staff providing direct care to children
  • Full-time employees
  • Part-time employees
  • Casual, on call, or supply staff
• Total
  • Full-time employees
  • Part-time employees
  • Casual, on call, or supply staff

Flow condition: If "Home-based" is selected in Q2, go to Q30. Otherwise go to Q31.

30. On February 17, 2026, did this home child care service have any paid employees providing direct care to children other than the owner or operator?

Include full-time, part-time, casual, on-call and supply staff providing direct care to children.
Exclude volunteers, unpaid students, workers on leave and any paid employees that did not directly provide care to children such as cooks, cleaners or accountants.

• Yes
  • On February 17, 2026, how many paid employees providing direct care to children did this home child care service have?
    • Full-time employees providing direct care to children:
      Include employees that work 30 hours or more per week.
    • Part-time employees providing direct care to children:
      Include employees that work less than 30 hours per week.
    • Casual, on-call, or supply staff:
• No

Flow condition: If "Centre-based" is selected in Q2, go to Q31. Otherwise go to Q32.

31. Provide the number of employees this centre had based on their highest level of formal Early Childhood Education (ECE)-related training as of February 17, 2026.

Exclude volunteers, unpaid students, workers on leave and any support staff e.g., cooks, cleaners, accountants. 

Supervisory staff includes directors, managers, or supervisors regardless of whether they provided direct care to children or not. Include both full-time and part-time supervisory staff under supervisory staff only.

• a. No ECE-related training
  • Supervisory staff
  • Full-time staff providing direct care to children
  • Part-time staff providing direct care to children
• b. ECE course or workshop less than 1 year
  • Supervisory staff
  • Full-time staff providing direct care to children
  • Part-time staff providing direct care to children
• c. ECE 1, 2 or 3 year certificate or diploma from a post-secondary institution
  • Supervisory staff
  • Full-time staff providing direct care to children
  • Part-time staff providing direct care to children
• d. ECE 4 year degree or graduate training
  • Supervisory staff
  • Full-time staff providing direct care to children
  • Part-time staff providing direct care to children
• Total
  • Supervisory staff
  • Full-time staff providing direct care to children
  • Part-time staff providing direct care to children

Flow condition: If "Home-based" is selected in Q2, go to Q32. Otherwise go to Q33.

32. As of February 17, 2026, what was the highest level of formal Early Childhood Education (ECE)-related training of the owner or operator of this home child care service?

Include highest level of formal ECE-related training as of February 17, 2026.

• Family child care-specific workshop
• ECE courses or workshops lasting less than 1 year or its equivalent 
• ECE 1 year certificate or diploma or its equivalent
• ECE 2 year certificate or diploma or its equivalent
• ECE 3 year certificate or diploma or its equivalent
• ECE 3 year university degree or its equivalent
• ECE 4 year university degree or its equivalent
• ECE 4 graduate studies or its equivalent
• Other ECE training or programs
  Specify other ECE training or programs:
• No ECE-related training

Flow condition: If "Home-based" is selected in Q2 and "Yes" or "nonresponse" in Q30, go to Q33. Otherwise go to Q34.

33. Provide the number of paid employees this home child care service had with formal Early Childhood Education (ECE)-related training as of February 17, 2026.

Exclude volunteers, unpaid students, workers on leave and any paid employees that did not directly provide care to children such as cooks, cleaners or accountants.

Number of paid employees with formal ECE-related training: 

Flow condition: If “Centre-based” is selected in Q2, go to Q34. Otherwise go to Q36.

34. On February 17, 2026, did this centre have permission from licensing authorities to operate, for a specified period, with fewer Early Childhood Education (ECE)-qualified staff than required?
Include ECE-qualified staff and staff with equivalent training.

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

35. Over the last year, did any paid employees providing direct care to children increase their Early Childhood Education (ECE) levels while employed at this centre?

An increase in ECE levels refers to a new certificate or diploma.
Exclude volunteers, unpaid students, workers on leave and any support staff such as cooks, cleaners and accountants.

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

36. Over the last year, did any employees at this centre or did you or your employees or did you participate in any of the following child care-related professional development training, conferences, workshops or courses?

Include both in-house and external non-mandatory staff development training, conferences, workshops and courses. 

Select all that apply.

• Child health and personal care
• Incorporating Indigenous or culturally relevant ways of knowing and learning
• Communicating effectively with parents
• Child development
  e.g. , socio-emotional, motor, cognitive
• Working with children with disabilities
• Working with children with diverse backgrounds
• Facilitating play
• Facilitating learning in literacy and numeracy
• Facilitating learning in arts
• Curriculum implementation
• Pedagogical approaches or learning theories
• Trauma informed practices
• Autism spectrum disorder support training
• 2SLGBTQI+ support training
• Emergency preparedness training
• First aid training
• Other
  • Specify other:
• OR
• None of the above

Flow condition: If "Centre-based" is selected in Q2, go to Q37. Otherwise go to Q38.

37. On the last pay period of January 2026, what was the minimum, maximum and most frequently paid hourly rate of employees at this centre?

Include all top-ups or wage enhancements on top of the hourly rate.

Exclude volunteers, unpaid students, workers on leave and any support staff e.g. , cooks, cleaners, accountants.

• a. Supervisory staff
  Include directors, managers, or supervisors.
  • Minimum hourly rate
  • Maximum hourly rate
  • Most frequently paid hourly rate
• b. Employees with ECE course or workshop less than 1 year
  Exclude directors, managers, or supervisors.
  • Minimum hourly rate
  • Maximum hourly rate
  • Most frequently paid hourly rate
• c. ECE 1, 2 or 3 year certificate, diploma, degree or its equivalent
  Exclude directors, managers, or supervisors.
  • Minimum hourly rate
  • Maximum hourly rate
  • Most frequently paid hourly rate
• d. Employees with ECE 4 year certificate, diploma, degree or its equivalent
  Exclude directors, managers, or supervisors.
  • Minimum hourly rate
  • Maximum hourly rate
  • Most frequently paid hourly rate
• e. Employees with no ECE qualifications or training
  Exclude any support staff e.g. , cooks, cleaners, accountants.
  • Minimum hourly rate
  • Maximum hourly rate
  • Most frequently paid hourly rate

Flow condition; If "Yes" is selected in Q30, go to Q38. Otherwise go to Q39.

38. On the last pay period of January 2026, what was the most frequently paid hourly rate of employees at this home child care service?

Exclude volunteers, unpaid students, workers on leave and any support staff such as cooks, cleaners and accountants.

• a. Staff providing direct care to children
  • Most frequently paid hourly rate

Flow condition: If “Centre-based” is selected in Q2, go to Q39. Otherwise go to next condition. 
If “Home-based” is selected in Q2 and “yes” is selected in Q30, go to Q39. Otherwise go to Q41.

39. On the last pay period of January 2026, which of the following health or pay-related benefits were available to employees of your home child care service or this centre?

Select all that apply.

• Dental care plan
• Supplementary health or drug plan
• Life insurance or disability insurance
• Top up payments above what EI pays for maternity, parental leave
• Pension plan contribution
• Group RRSP
• Paid sick leave
• Other benefits
  Specify other benefits:
  OR
• None of the above

40. On the last pay period of January 2026, which of the following benefits were available to employees of your home child care service or this centre?

Select all that apply.

• Paid breaks other than those required by law
• Program planning or lesson planning and preparation time
• Paid documentation time
• Paid overtime
• Time off in lieu of overtime
• Reduced child care fees for own children
• Financial assistance with First Aid certification
• Financial assistance (or a Professional Development Fund) to attend ECE-related workshops or conferences
• Financial assistance (or a Professional Development Fund) to take courses or post-basic training
• Paid time for training, workshops, conferences or peer learning
• Paid staff meetings
• Other benefits
  Specify other benefits:
  OR
• None of the above

Flow condition: If "Centre-based" is selected in Q2, go to Q41. Otherwise go to Q46.

41. On the last pay period of January 2026, were employees of this centre that provide direct care to children unionized?  

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

Hires, departures and vacancies

42. Report the number of employees hired by this centre from January 1 to December 31 2025.

A hire is any addition or returning child care employee to this centre’s payroll from January 1 to December 31 2025.
Include transfers from other locations.

Exclude:

• promotions within this location; 
• independent contractors or consultants; and    
• employees of temporary help agencies.

• a. Supervisory staff
  Include directors, managers, and supervisors.
  • Number of employees hired from January 1 to December 31 2025
• b. Employees providing direct care to children with sufficient ECE qualifications or training
  Exclude directors, managers, and supervisors.
  Sufficient refers to the legal requirements as set out by the province or territory.
  • Number of employees hired from January 1 to December 31 2025
• c. Employees providing direct care to children without sufficient ECE qualifications or training
  Exclude directors, managers, and supervisors.
  • Number of employees hired from January 1 to December 31 2025
• Total
  • Number of employees hired from January 1 to December 31 2025

43. Report the number of employee departures this centre had from January 1 to December 31 2025.

Exclude transfers within this location, employees on strike, employees of temporary help agencies, volunteers or co-op students and employees that departed and were rehired within the reference period.

Include voluntary departures under employees that quit.

Other departures include dismissals, permanent layoffs, temporary layoffs and transfers to other locations.

• a. Supervisory staff
  Include directors, managers, and supervisors.
  • Number of employees that quit
  • Number of employees that retired
  • Number of other employee departures
• b. Employees providing direct care to children with sufficient ECE qualifications or training
  Exclude directors, managers, and supervisors.
  Sufficient refers to the legal requirements as set out by the province or territory.
  • Number of employees that quit
  • Number of employees that retired
  • Number of other employee departures
• c. Employees providing direct care to children without sufficient ECE qualifications or training
  Exclude directors, managers, and supervisors.
  • Number of employees that quit
  • Number of employees that retired
  • Number of other employee departures
• Total
  • Number of employees that quit
  • Number of employees that retired
  • Number of other employee departures

44. Report the total number of vacancies this centre had on February 17, 2026.

Include full-time, part-time, temporary, permanent and seasonal vacant positions.

A job is vacant if it meets all three conditions:

• a specific position exists;
• work could start within 30 days; and
• you are actively seeking workers from outside this location to fill the position.

Exclude:

• positions to be filled by promotion or demotion, internal transfers or recall from layoffs;
• positions with start dates more than 30 days in the future; and
• positions for which employees have been hired, but they have not yet reported for work.

• a. Supervisory staff
  Include directors, managers, and supervisors.
  • Number of vacant positions
• b. Employees providing direct care to children with sufficient ECE qualifications or training
  Exclude directors, managers, and supervisors.
  Sufficient refers to the legal requirements as set out by the province or territory.
  • Number of vacant positions
• c. Employees providing direct care to children without sufficient ECE qualifications or training
  Exclude directors, managers, and supervisors.
  • Number of vacant positions
• Total
  • Number of vacant positions

Difficulties faced filling vacant positions

Flow condition: If "Centre-based" is selected in Q2, go to Q45. Otherwise go to Q46.

45. Which of the following difficulties has this centre faced when trying to fill vacant positions?

Select all that apply.

• Lack of time to recruit
• Lack of money or funding for recruiting
• Applicants lack of skills required for the job
• Applicants lack of related work experience
• Few or no applicants to choose from
• Applicant was not satisfied with salary offer
• Applicant was not satisfied with employee benefits
• Competition from other centres or organization
• Competition from the school system
• Lack of employment security
• Work schedule did not meet applicants needs
• Reduced the number of child care spaces because it has been unable to fill vacant positions with sufficiently qualified ECE staff
• Child care centre is in a rural or remote location
• Other difficulties
  Specify other difficulties:
  OR
• No difficulties

Service characteristics

Flow condition: If "Home-based" is selected in Q2, go to Q46. Otherwise go to Q48.

46. Recognizing that there may be many reasons, what is the primary reason you have chosen to be a home child care provider?

• To be with my own children, grandchildren, or relatives
• Financial reasons
• Flexibility
• Safety concerns for own children
• Could not get another job
• Interest in child care profession
• Other reason
  Specify the primary reason:

47. Do you intend to continue providing child care services in this home three years from now?

• Yes
• No
  • What are the reasons you would no longer provide child care services in this home?
    Select all that apply.
    • Ready for a career change
    • Plan to go back to school
    • My own children, grandchildren or relatives will no longer require me to be at home
    • I feel I will need a break
    • Financial instability
    • I do not like to work alone
    • Plan to retire
    • Plan to work in centre-based child care
    • Plan on moving
    • Requirements to be licensed due to legislation
    • Other reasons
      Specify other reasons:

48. On February 17, 2026, did this child care service have accommodations or supports in place to serve the needs of children with a long-term condition or disability?

An accommodation refers to any characteristic of the child care environment, curriculum, or equipment that was purposely designed, built, or altered to remove potential barriers and encourage or promote the full participation of children with a disability in daily activities, e.g., focus and sensory aids, learning aids, wheelchair ramps.

Support may refer to assisting children in compensating for intellectual, physical or behavioral challenges.

Include accommodations or supports in place regardless of whether or not children with a long-term condition or disability were enrolled at this child care service.

• Yes
• No

Child care location

Flow condition: If "Centre-based" is selected in Q2, go to Q49. Otherwise go to Q51.

49. Which of the following best describes the type of building in which this centre is currently located?

• In an independent commercial building
• In a house including a town house
• In an apartment or condominium building
• In or attached to a private school
• In or attached to a publicly funded school
• On a university or college campus
• In a community centre, library, hospital, or other public building
• In a place of worship
• In an office building
• In a shopping mall or strip mall
• In a social housing complex
• Other type of building
  Specify other type of building:

50. Over the last year, has this centre expanded by increasing its physical space?

• Yes
  • Did this centre receive any capital funding from the provincial or territorial government for this expansion?
    • Yes
    • No
    • Don't know
• No

Flow condition: If “Home-based” is selected in Q2 and “Approved or registered by a child care agency, association or coordinating office” or “Not licensed by the provincial or territorial or local government directly and not approved or registered by a child care agency, association, or coordinating office” is selected in Q5, go to Q51. Otherwise go to next condition. 
If “Centre-based” is selected in Q2, go to Q51. Otherwise go to Q53.

Operating budget

51. In January 2026, what percentage of your home child care service’s or this centre’s revenue came from each of the following sources?

Exclude capital funding and start-up funding.

Percent of revenue received from government in other forms includes grants, operating funding and wage enhancement funding.
Please provide best estimates.

• a. Parents
  • Percentage of revenue:
• b. Government
  • Percentage of revenue:
• c. Other sources
  Include child care agencies.
  e.g., revenue from an employer or organization
  • Percentage of revenue:
• d. Total
  • Percentage of revenue:

52. In January 2026, what percentage of your home child care service’s or this centre’s operating budget was spent in the following categories?

Please provide best estimates.

• a. Rent or mortgage
  • Percentage of operating budget:
• b. Employee wages
  • Percentage of operating budget:
• c. Building maintenance and utilities
  Include both indoor and outdoor maintenance.
  e.g. , repairs, cleaning, landscaping
  • Percentage of operating budget:
• d. Food
  • Percentage of operating budget:
• e. Supplies
  e.g. , toys, furniture, craft materials
  • Percentage of operating budget:
• f. Other
  e.g., insurance, administrative costs
  • Percentage of operating budget:
• g. Total
  • Percentage of operating budget:

Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC)

Flow condition: If province is Quebec, go to Q54. Otherwise go to next condition. 
If “Home-based” is selected in Q2 and “Approved or registered by a child care agency, association or coordinating office” or “Not licensed by the provincial or territorial or local government directly and not approved or registered by a child care agency, association, or coordinating office” is selected in Q5, go to Q53. Otherwise go to next condition. 
If “Centre-based” is selected in Q2, go to Q53. Otherwise go to Q54.

53. 

Newfoundland and Labrador:
Is this centre or licensed home part of the Operating Grant Program to reduce fees for parents?

• Yes
• No
• Don’t know

Prince Edward Island:
Is this centre or licensed home an Early Years Centre (EYC), a probationary EYC or a Family Home Centre (FHC) that provides child care for $10-a-day? 

• Yes
• No
• Don’t know

Nova Scotia: 
Does this centre or licensed home have an active funding agreement with the Government of Nova Scotia to receive funding for fee reductions for parents?

• Yes
• No
• Don’t know

New Brunswick: 
Is this centre or licensed home a designated Early Learning and Child Care centre or home?

• Yes
• No
• Don’t know

Ontario: 
Is this centre or licensed home part of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care system (CWELCC system)?

• Yes
• No
• Don’t know

Manitoba: 
Does this centre or licensed home receive an operating grant to reduce parent fees to $10-a-day?

• Yes
• No
• Don’t know

Saskatchewan: 
Has this centre or licensed home significantly reduced parent fees in recent years, particularly following the implementation of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) agreement in 2021?

• Yes
• No
• Don’t know

Alberta: 
Does this centre or licensed home have an affordability grant agreement with the Government of Alberta?

• Yes
• No
• Don’t know

British Columbia:
Is this centre or licensed home a $10-a-day centre, an Aboriginal Head Start centre, or a child care service that received funding from the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI)?

• Yes
• No
• Don’t know

Yukon:
Is this centre or licensed home part of the Government of Yukon’s universal child care model that ensures families can access affordable child care options?

• Yes
• No
• Don’t know

Northwest Territories:
Does this centre or licensed home receive any government funding to reduce parental fees? 
For centre-based programs, this would be through the Dedicated or Flexible funding. For family day homes, this would be through the Child Care Fee Reduction Subsidy.

• Yes
• No
• Don’t know

Nunavut:
Has this centre or licensed home significantly reduced parent fees in recent years, particularly following the implementation of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) agreement in 2021, for example with a Parent Fee Subsidy?

• Yes
• No
• Don’t know

Flow condition: If province is Quebec and if “Home-based” is selected in Q2 and “Approved or registered by a child care agency, association or coordinating office” or “Not licensed by the provincial or territorial or local government directly and not approved or registered by a child care agency, association, or coordinating office” is selected in Q5, go to Q54. Otherwise go to next condition. 
If province is Quebec and if “Centre-based” is selected in Q2, go to Q54. Otherwise go to Q55.

Québec Reduced Contribution Program

54. On February 17, 2026, did your home child care service or this centre offer child care services subsidized by the Québec Reduced Contribution Program?    

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

Flow condition: If "Home-based" is selected in Q2, go to Q55. Otherwise go to end of survey.

Home childcare provider characteristics

The groups identified within the following questions are included in order to gain a better understanding of child care businesses owned by members of various communities across Canada.

55. What is the gender of the owner or operator of this home child care service?

Gender refers to current gender which may be different from sex assigned at birth and may be different from what is indicated on legal documents.

• Male
• Female
• Please specify
  Specify the gender of the owner or operator:
• Prefer not to answer
• Don't know

56. Is the owner or operator of this home child care service First Nations, Métis, or Inuk (Inuit)?

First Nations (North American Indian) includes Status and Non-Status Indians.

• Yes, First Nations (North American Indian), Métis, or Inuk (Inuit)
  • Which of the following best describes the owner or operator of this home child care service?
    Select all that apply.
    • Yes, First Nations (North American Indian)
    • Yes, Métis
    • Yes, Inuk (Inuit)
• No, not First Nations, Métis, or Inuk (Inuit)
• Prefer not to answer
• Don't know

57. Is the owner or operator of this home child care service a landed immigrant to Canada in the last 10 years?

A landed immigrant (permanent resident) is a person who has been granted the right to live in Canada permanently by immigration authorities.

• Yes
• No
• Prefer not to answer
• Don't know

58. Is the owner or operator of this home child care service a person with a disability?

Include visible and non-visible disabilities.

• Yes
• No
• Prefer not to answer
• Don't know