Province or territory | Capital funding programs | Summary |
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Newfoundland and Labrador | Child Care Capacity Initiative Other links & resources | Eligibility - CCCI funding is available to eligible not-for-profit community based organizations, municipalities, cooperatives, employer sponsored non-profit groups, and family home child care providers proposing to develop regulated child care services throughout the province where the need for child care has been identified.
Maximum Amount - Renovation costs up to $8000 per new space created (with specific criteria and additional eligible expenses)
- Streams or phases of funding:
- Completion of a required needs assessment to determine the community needs for child care
- Renovations to modify and/or expand an existing facility
- Start-Up program materials, equipment, furnishings
Conditions - Required to continue operating for 2, 5 and 10 years depending on size of grant.Minimum of 2 years for projects up to $150,000
- Minimum of 5 years for projects between $150,000 and $500,000
- Minimum of 10 years for projects over $500,000Cannot be used to purchase land or buildings
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Newfoundland and Labrador | Family Child Care Capacity Initiative Other links & resources | The FHCCCI is a one-time grant to supplement the startup costs and/or renovation costs of meeting Government requirements for the establishment of a regulated family child care home. Eligibility - CCCI is available to individuals proceeding through the licensing or family child care agency approval process to become a regulated Family Child Care Home where the need for child care in the community has been demonstrated.
Maximum Amount - $15,000 per provider
- A 15% additional amount for providers in the Labrador region to recognize higher costs
Conditions - Return of service required: 1 year for $3000; 2 years for $6000; 3 years for $9000; 4 years for $12,000; 5 years for $15,000
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Prince Edward Island | Non-Profit Organization Child Care Start-Up Grant Applications accepted until October 31 2025 Other links and resources | Eligibility - This grant is for non-profit organizations starting a new licensed early childhood centre.
Maximum Amount - Applicants can receive 20% of project costs for new construction, building purchase and fit-up, up to a total of $200,000.
Conditions - Start operation as a licensed early childhood centre with probationary Early Years Centre status within 18 months following approval of the grant.
- Ensure that the project facility is utilized for child care for at least 5 years.
- Become designated as an Early Years Centre within 18 months following the date the early childhood centre starts operation and obtains probationary Early Years Centre status.
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Prince Edward Island | EYC Architectural Fee Reimbursement Grant Other links & resources | - The Early Years Centre Architectural Fee Reimbursement Grant is a one-time grant to support architectural fees related to creation of new licensed early learning and child care spaces within new or existing infrastructure where there is a demonstrated need and where growth would include new infant and/or toddler aged children. Applications are considered through a competitive intake process.
Eligibility - Designated Early Years Centres and private contractors are eligible to apply for the Early Years Centre Architectural Fee Reimbursement Grant.
- Private contractors are eligible for costs related to construction of a child care centre, or the building architect fees directly related to the portion of the building assigned as a child care centre.
- This grant is open to applicants who will, or who have incurred an architecture fee in the last 6 months that have not received funding from any other government department, including the Department of Education and Early Years, for the specific portion of the project related to creating new child care spaces.
- The applicant must NOT be approved for the PEI Early Years Centre Low Interest Loan Pilot Program.
Maximum Amount - Applicants may apply for 80% of the project’s architecture fees up to a maximum of $80,000 of the eligible project.
Conditions - The project facility must be utilized for child care for at least 5 years.
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Prince Edward Island | Low-Interest Loan Pilot Program
No longer accepting applications as of January 17, 2025
Other links and resources | Eligibility - Current Early Years Centre operators
- Non-profits, community-based/service organizations, municipalities or private sector companies with a partnership affiliation with an Early Years Centre
- Individuals intending to become designated as an Early Years Centre
Maximum Amount - Loan up to $200,000
- Approved loans were to a maximum 80% loan-to-value.
- Phases of application
- Applicant had to: i) complete and submit an Early Years Centre Location Suitability Tool; ii) Complete the Application for financial assistance; iii) Complete the Business Plan
- Approved projects were eligible for a non repayable Start-Up Grant
Conditions |
Prince Edward Island | EYC Expansion Capital Grant No longer accepting applications as of January 17, 2025 Other links & resources | The Early Years Centre Expansion Capital Grant was a one-time only grant to support creation of new licensed early learning and child care spaces within new or existing infrastructure where there is a demonstrated need and where growth would include new infant and/or toddler aged children. Applications were considered through a competitive intake process. Eligibility - Designated Early Years Centres
- The applicant must be in compliance with all EYC criteria and funding agreement requirements, including 90% enrollment capacity or greater.
- The applicant must NOT be approved for the PEI Early Years Centre Low Interest Loan Pilot Program.
Maximum Amount - A maximum of $200,000 was available to support expansion which could include new construction, renovations and/or purchase of equipment for eligible projects.
Conditions - The project facility must be committed to child care for at least 5 years.
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Prince Edward Island | Family Home Centre Capital Grant | Eligibility - Regulated family home child care providers
Maximum Amount - $15,000 capital improvements per provider toward the modification of the recipient’s existing physical space to meet licensing requirements.
- Infant Programming Incentive of up to $5,000 towards items such as cribs, change-tables, rocking chairs, toys, books, strollers, etc.
- Family Home Centre Program improvements of up to $5,000 for items such as play equipment and preschool age toys.
Conditions |
Nova Scotia | Major Infrastructure Program Links and other resources | The Early Learning and Child Care Major Infrastructure Program will provide $25 million to fund new construction or major renovations intended to create new child-care spaces.
Eligibility - Municipal governments or organizations wholly owned by a municipality
- Universities or the Nova Scotia Community College
- Mi’kmaw/Indigenous communities/organizations in Nova Scotia
- Registered not-for-profit organizations
Maximum Amount - Funding caps differ based on the type of project:
- For leasehold and rental properties, project applicants can receive up to $20,000 per space created, up to a maximum of $1.5 million.
- For properties owned by the child-care operator or if the child-care centre is in a public building, such as a university, projects can receive up to $40,000 per space created, up to a maximum of $3.5 million.
- Applicants are required to contribute a minimum of 10% toward the overall project costs.
Conditions Minimum Commitment period: - $3.1 million or more : 25 years
- $2.1 – $3 million : 20 years
- $1.6 – $2 million : 15 years
- Up to $1.5 million : 10 years
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Nova Scotia | Minor Infrastructure Funding Ongoing Program Links and other resources | Eligibility
Existing facilities are eligible to apply under the Minor Infrastructure Program: - The 13 First Nation communities in Nova Scotia
- Registered non-profit or charitable organizations
- Municipalities or organizations wholly owned by a municipality
- Universities or Nova Scotia Community College
Maximum Amount - Entities with projects approved are eligible for up to $1 million (based on a maximum of $20,000 per space) towards eligible project costs.
- A maximum of 10% of the total project cost for expenses related to project design, project management, and legal fees.
Conditions - Committing to operate the facility as a child care centre for the minimum commitment of ten (10) years.
- If the child care centre ceases to operate within the commitment period, EECD may require full or partial repayment of the original grant by the original applicant.
- For leasehold properties, grant recipients are responsible for ensuring that their commercial lease protects their tenancy for the duration of the commitment period.
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Nova Scotia | Family Home Start-Up Program
Links and other resources | Eligibility - Available to newly recruited child care providers.
Maximum Amount - Up to $7,500 to help individuals open a regulated home.
- Start-up costs may include minor home improvements or purchasing materials and supplies to meet regulations and create quality early learning and child-care environments for children
Conditions |
New Brunswick | Designation Start-Up Funding: New Licence ELCC Coordination Grant
Open Call for proposals is closed | Eligibility - All successful applicants opening a new ELCC Centre or ELCC Home
Maximum Amount - ELCC Home: $6,000ELCC centre (for-profit): $270,000
- ELCC Centre (not-for-profit): $270,000
Conditions |
New Brunswick | Expansion for Infants Spaces Grant – Renovations
Links and other resources | One-time grant to renovate an existing facility to increase the number of infant spaces in ELCC Centres and ELCC Homes to meet ECD and Fire Marshall and Public Health requirements.
Eligibility - All current ELCC operators who are approved through the Call for Proposal process and are creating new infant spaces or expanding infant spaces under Policy 901 exemptions for not-for-profit ELCC centres and homes
Maximum Amounts - ELCC Home – $3000 per space
- ELCC Centre (for-profit) – $10,000 per space
- ELCC centre (not for profit) – $10,000 per space
Conditions |
Ontario | Start-Up Grants - (distributed to system managers)
Links and other resources | Eligibility/Allocation process - Start-Up and Infrastructure funding is allocated to Service System Managers (SSMs) in support of their expansion plans, which must be developed in accordance with provincial policies
- Funding for capital expansion is allocated to service system managers who are responsible for distributing the funding.
- Funding is allocated proportionally based on Directed Growth Plans. The ministry provides the start-up grant funding to each service system manager through their 2023-2027 transfer payment agreements. (p43)
Maximum Amount - Ontario’s maximum amount for Start-up funding is $350,000 for every 20 spaces created.
- Home child care licensee applicants will be able to receive grants of up to $1,200 per CWELCC space created, to a maximum of $7,200 per provider.
Conditions - Participate in the CWELCC system for at least 7 years after opening the new child care spaces
- Other conditions may be required by the SSM
- Cannot be used to purchase land or buildings
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Ontario | Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund | Consolidated Municipal Service Managers and District Social Services Administration Boards (CMSMs/DSSABs) are required to use ELCC Infrastructure Fund funding to support the creation of new, licensed child care spaces.
Eligibility/Allocation process - Not-for-profit licensee or directly operated by a CMSM/DSSAB
- Centre-based
- Community-based
- Approved for enrolment in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system.
Maximum Amount - Discretion of CMSM/DSSABs
Conditions - Continue operating in the facility for at least 7 years after opening the new child care spaces (that is, from the first day of operation)
- Participate in the CWELCC system for at least 7 years after opening the new child care spaces (that is, from the first day of operation).
- Spend the ELCC Infrastructure Fund funding from the date the service agreement between the licensee and CMSM/DSSAB is executed to December 31, 2026
- Can be used toward purchase of land or buildings.
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Manitoba | Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Capital Building Fund
Ongoing intake of applications
Links and other resources | Eligibility - Non-profit community projects for new centre development, or expansion of existing child care centres
Maximum Amount - The Early Learning and Child Care Building Fund provides approved project proponents with capital grant funding of up to 60% towards the total eligible project construction costs of developing new child care spaces.
- There is no prescribed maximum for infant and preschool spaces.
Conditions - Must include 52 spaces for infant and/or preschool spaces in urban centres, or 24 spaces in rural Manitoba
- Other conditions related to minimum years of operation not publicly available
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Manitoba | Child Care Renovation Expansion Grant
Expressions of Interest closed | Eligibility - Existing non-profit child care centres to develop or repurpose existing space, creating new infant and preschool spaces.
Maximum Amount - Up to $2M in capital grant funding to expand spaces for children under the age of seven, ensuring > more families have access to high quality and inclusive child care.
- Up to approximately $30,000 per space
Conditions |
Manitoba | Ready to Move (RTM) Child Care Project
Expressions of interest closed | Eligibility - Not-for-profit services in collaboration with municipalities and Indigenous bodies
Maximum Amount - RTM construction costs are fully funded, in keeping with the conditions noted below.
Conditions - Municipalities must provide approximately two acres of land, and service the land and provide the space rent free to a non-profit operator for at least 15 years.
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Manitoba
| Health and Child Care Infrastructure Project | Manitoba will provide up to $20.9M for the creation of over 300 new child care spaces for children under the age of seven in two health regions where there is high demand. The Health and Child Care Infrastructure Project creates new child care centres in healthcare facilities across the province in partnership with health authorities and non-profit child care operators. As of February 2025, three partnerships have been approved for capital funding for an estimated 324 spaces.
Eligibility - Partnership between health authorities and non-profit child care operators
Maximum Amount Conditions |
Manitoba | Child Care Centres in New Schools | Eligibility - Manitoba’s Child Care in Schools Policy requires the consideration of new child care spaces as part of the construction of all new schools, or those undergoing a major renovation.
Maximum Amount - New or expanded spaces in schools are eligible for 100% capital funding.
Conditions |
Manitoba | School-Based Child Care Centre Expansion Project | Eligibility - Expressions of Interest accepted from public schools wishing to develop or expand on-site child care.To date, Manitoba has approved funding for more than 2,600 new spaces for children under seven in 42 schools.
Maximum Amount - New or expanded spaces in schools are eligible for 100% capital funding.
Conditions |
Manitoba | Post-secondary Institution Child Care Expansion Project | Eligibility - Expressions of Interest accepted from post-secondary institutions to develop child care on surplus lands or buildings.
Maximum Amount - New or expanded spaces in post-secondary institutions are eligible for 100% capital funding.
Conditions |
Manitoba | Home child care Start-Up grant | Eligibility - Licensed home based child care
Maximum Amount - $300 per child care space that helps with the purchase of age appropriate equipment or furnishings required for the age group of children under the license.
Conditions |
Saskatchewan | Space Development Capital Funding | Eligibility Maximum Amount Conditions - Eligible costs includes purchase of building
- Other conditions not publicly available
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Saskatchewan | Family Child Care Home Start-Up Grant | The purpose of this grant is to assist with the expenses incurred in opening a regulated family child care home (e.g. equipment, furnishings).
Maximum Amount - Family child care homes $3,525
- Group family child care homes $3,725
- Family child care homes in the Northern Administration District (NAD) $3,975
- Group Family Group Homes in the NAD $4,225
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Alberta | Space Creation Grant
(Start-Up Funding)
Applications closed as of November 2024
Links and other resources | Eligibility - Applications for Space Creation Grant funding are open to new or existing licensed non-profit groups, private operators or family day home agencies interested in creating new licensed child care spaces.
Maximum Amount - Per space grant amounts provided to eligible recipients will be up to:
- $6,000 per space for new licensed facilities in child care deserts (communities where there is limited to no child care)
- $5,500 per space for new licensed facilities where there is high demand
- $5,000 per new space for existing licensed facilities where there is high demand
- $1,350 per space for new or existing family day home agencies in communities where there is high need or high demand
Conditions |
Alberta | Building Blocks Capital Grant Program
*First application intake closed March 15, 2025
Links and other resources | Eligibility - Licensed non-profit and public child care providers, such as municipalities and schools, can apply for one-time capital funding. Eligible applicants are:
- Non-profit organizations or municipalities as defined in the Municipal Government Act
- First Nations and Indigenous communities and schools incorporated under non-profit entities
- Public bodies, such as: school divisions as defined in Alberta’s Education Act, and public or non-profit post-secondary institutions
Maximum Amounts - Major Capital Grant:
- This stream provides maximum $30,000 per child care space with total capital costs at or above $500,000.Applicants must commit at least 10% of the total project budget requested.
- Minor Capital Grant:
- This stream provides maximum $10,000 per child care space with total capital costs under $500,000.
Conditions - Major Capital Grant
- The recipient intends to operate and maintain the licensed child care spaces in program operation for the minimum 15-year commitment period from the date the license is issued.
- Minor Capital Grant
- The recipient intends to operate and maintain the licensed child care spaces in program operation for the minimum 5-year commitment period from the date the license is issued.
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British Columbia | ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund – Major Capital Grants
*The New Spaces Fund Major Capital Grants is no longer accepting applications for 2024-25
Links and other resources | These projects are ground-up builds, modular builds and major renovations, including expansions and additions, requesting more than $500,000.
Eligibility - Indigenous Governing Entities
- Local Governments
- Public Bodies, such as: Health authorities; Boards of Education; Public post-secondary institutions; Crown corporations
- Not-For-Profits and Indigenous Not-For-Profits (must be registered under the Societies Act for a minimum of 4 years at the time of application)
- First Nations Schools
- Other Eligible Independent Schools
Maximum Amount - For Indigenous governing entities, local governments and other public bodies, First Nations schools, and Indigenous not-for-profits : 100% of project costs.For not-for profit and other eligible independent schools: 90% of project costs
Conditions - Commitment period based on provincial funding amount:
- $500,001 to $2,999,999 – minimum of 15 years
- Between $3,000,000 and $4,999,999 – minimum of 20 years
- Between $5,000,000 and $9,999,999 – minimum of 25 years
- $10,000,000 and above – minimum of 30 years
- For grant recipients who intend to secure an authorized operator to run the child care centre, the lease between parties must not be greater than fair-market rent.
- Applicants must own the land on which the proposed child care centre will be built (Indigenous Governing Entities are exempt from this requirement).
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British Columbia | ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund – Minor Capital Grants
*The New Spaces Fund Minor Capital Grants is no longer accepting applications for 2024-25
Links and other resources | Minor capital projects are renovations and equipment-only projects anticipated to be complete within one year, requesting up to $500,000.
Eligibility - Indigenous Governing Entities
- Local Governments
- Public Bodies, such as: Health authoritiesBoards of Education, Public post-secondary institutions, Crown corporations, Not-For-Profits and Indigenous Not-For-Profits (and must be registered under the Societies Act for a minimum of 1 year at the time of application)
- First Nations Schools
- Other Eligible Independent Schools
Maximum Amounts - Eligibility costs up to $500,000.
- For Indigenous Governing Entities, Local Governments, Public Bodies, First Nations Schools, and Indigenous Not-for-profits : 100% of project costs.
- For Not-for-profit and other eligible independent schools: 90% of project costs
Conditions - Applicants must commit to child care operation for a minimum number of years based on the provincial funding amount:
- Under $50,000 – minimum of 5 years
- $50,000 to $500,000 – minimum of 10 years
- Applicants must own or lease the space where the proposed child care centre and new licensed child care spaces will exist (excluding Ministries of the Government of British Columbia)
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British Columbia | School District Child Care Capital Planning
The 2024-25 and 2025-26 calls for submission are now closed
Links and other resources | The Ministry will consider project requests where school districts are seeking to create net new child care spaces within new and existing schools, and/or on school district property. If there are any existing licensed spaces being relocated, details about the relocated spaces must be provided in the project request. However, only net new spaces will be considered for funding.
There are three Major Capital Project submission categories: - CC – New Space Integrated
- CC – New Space
- CC – Conversion (Major)
There is one Minor Capital project Two staged process - Major projects will undergo a two-stage approval process, with the projects first selected for conceptual development, and stage two Conceptual Design and Planning
Eligibility - All Child Care Projects must be supported by the demonstration of the need for child care spaces in that district or region.
Maximum Amounts - Major Capital valued at more than $500,000.
- Minor Capital Projects must not exceed $500,000.
Conditions |
British Columbia | Start-Up Grants – Licensed child care in the home | Eligibility - Registered Licence-Not-Required (RLNR) operators
- Licence-Not-Required (LNR) operators
- Early Childhood Educators
- Eligible adults over the age of 19 (and meet the necessary requirements to act as a > Responsible Adult as defined in the Child Care Licensing Regulation)
Maximum Amount - $500 up front to cover costs associated with becoming licensed
- Additional $500 per child care space once licensed.
Conditions - Provide a status update to the ministry six months after receiving funding
- Enroll in CCOF and opt into CCFRI if applicable
- Provide proof of licence within one year of the grant approval date
- Accept families eligible to receive ACCB
- Remain operational for three consecutive years from the date the Community Care Facility Licence is issued
- Maintain active enrolment in CCOF and, if applicable, the CCFRI for three consecutive years following the issue of a valid licence
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Yukon | Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund – Major and Minor projects for centre-based child care Links and other resources Applications accepted until October 31, 2025 | Eligibility - A Yukon First Nations government
- A Yukon society in good standing registered under the Yukon Societies Act, including Indigenous organizations;
- A Yukon-based not-for-profit incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act; or
- Individuals interested in opening a family day home in rural Yukon communities.
Maximum Amount Minor Project stream: - up to $100,000 for costs like design, project management, construction, and playground equipment.
Major Project stream: Conditions - Major Project stream recipients must commit to operating for between 1 and 10 years depending on the amount of funding:
- 1 year for $50,000 or more
- 2 years for $250,000 or more
- 5 years for $500,000 or more
- 7 years for $1,000,000 or more
- 10 years for $1,500,000 or more
- Does not cover land purchases
- Projects must expand child care spaces in one or more of the following:
- Indigenous-led early learning and child care centre(s)
- Francophone early learning and child care centre(s)
- Rural Yukon communities with a demonstrated need
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Yukon | Family home child care – Minor Capital projects – Family home child care
Deadline for applications was January 15 2025 | Eligibility - Individuals interested in opening a family day home in rural Yukon communities.
Maximum Amount - Up to $10,000 for new rural family day homes.
Conditions |
Northwest Territories | Early Childhood Infrastructure Fund
Applications accepted at any time
Links and other resources | Eligibility - Licensed centre-based early learning and child care programs
- Indigenous Governments
- Non-profit organizations
- Community-based programs
- Education bodies
Maximum Amount - The amount applicants receive is determined on a per proposal basis and available funding.
Conditions |
Northwest Territories | New Child Care Spaces Fund
Applications accepted at any time | Eligibility - Licensed centre-based programs
Maximum Amount - Family Day home
- $3000 for Zone A and
- $4500 for Zone B
- Centre-based care
- Infant space or special needs: $2,500 (Zone A) or $42,000 (Zone B)
- Pre-school: $1,700 (Zone A) or $28,00 (Zone B)
- Zone A: Behchokǫ̀, Dettah, Enterprise, Fort Liard, Fort Providence, Fort Resolution, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Hay River, Jean Marie River, Kakisa, Kátł’odeeche First Nation, Ndilo, Wrigley, Yellowknife
- Zone B: Aklavik, Colville Lake, Délı̨nę, Fort Good Hope, Fort McPherson, Gamèti, Inuvik, Łutselk’e, Nahanni Butte, Norman Wells, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Sambaa Kʼe, Tsiigehtchic, Tuktoyaktuk, Tulita, Ulukhaktok, Wekweètì, WhatìSpaces located in government buildings (including schools) are funded at 75%.
Conditions |
Nunavut | Infrastructure Funding Program
Links and other resources | Eligibility - Licensed child care centres
- Individuals opening a licensed family home daycare
- District Education Authorities and Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut
- Hamlets and municipalities
- Non-profit and non-government organizations
- An organization may apply for funding even if it does not plan to operate the licensed child care spaces. They must provide information about the organization that will manage the child care centre.
Maximum Amounts - Funding amounts will vary based on the proposal and will be determined on a case-by-case basis
- There is no maximum amount per recipient.
Conditions |
