Does your family need help to pay for childcare?
The New Brunswick government provides financial help for families to afford quality childcare. These programs offer parents the support they need to work, study and thrive.
New Brunswick’s vision is to build a high-quality early learning and childcare system that families can rely on so every child gets the services they need to reach their full potential.
The table below highlights the various programs. Read on for more information.
Daycare Assistance Program
The Daycare Assistance Program helps families afford quality childcare at a licensed early learning and childcare facility.
Families with an annual net income (after deductions) of $55,000 or less may be eligible for help with the cost of daycare for children 0 to 12. Try the program calculator to see an estimate of the financial support you could receive based on your household and income. Click here to try the program calculator.
To see a list of licensed Early Learning and Childcare Facilities in New Brunswick, click here. The Parent Portal is a secure tool that also provides access to online services and information about education and early childhood services.
To view the rate table for assistance, click here.
Families who don't have reasonable access to licensed Early Learning and Childcare Facilities may be eligible for help under the Alternative Child Care Program. See below for more information.
Designated Centre–Parent Subsidy Program
The Designated Centre–Parent Subsidy program provides financial support to families with low and middle incomes to help offset the cost of childcare for preschool-aged children attending a designated New Brunswick Early Learning Centre.
To see a list of designated centres, click here to view the Parent Portal. This secure tool also provides access to online services and information about education and early childhood services.
The subsidy is based on a sliding scale that considers your family’s childcare fees, number of children under the age of five, and total annual gross household income.
Families with a total gross yearly income of $37,500 or less will have access to free early learning and childcare services. If you have multiple preschool-aged children under the age of five, you will not pay more than 20% of your gross household annual income on childcare.
Try out the Designated Centre–Parent Subsidy Program Calculator to get an estimate of the financial support you could receive based on your household and income. Click here to use it.
Please note: Parents/guardians with both preschool-aged and school-aged children may be eligible for both programs.
Parents/guardians who do not have access to a licensed daycare facility may be eligible for assistance under the Alternative Child Care Program. Details below.
Alternative Child Care Program
Families that don’t have reasonable access to a licensed daycare facility within 5 km of their home, workplace or training institution may qualify for the Alternative Child Care Program. This program helps cover the cost of care in a private home. This benefit is especially beneficial to people who work shifts, weekends or outside of the traditional operating hours of most daycares.
Immediate family members, including parents, grandparents or someone residing in the household, cannot be considered service providers. Alternative Child Care is not regular baby-sitting.
Daycare Benefits for Social Assistance Clients
Daycare assistance may be provided to Social Assistance clients who need childcare while the parent:
- is working,
- is in education/training,
- Is searching for employment, or
- is undergoing medical treatment.
Children must be attending a licensed facility. To view a list of licensed early learning and childcare facilities in New Brunswick, click here to view the Parent Portal. This secure tool also provides online services and information about education and early childhood services.
If a parent cannot access a licensed facility, they may be eligible for the Alternative Child Care Program. See above for details.
Daycare Assistance Program
Parents/guardians could be eligible for the Daycare Assistance Program if:
- They have a preschool-aged child registered in a licenced Early Learning and Child Care Centre (if the Early Learning and Childcare Centre is designated New Brunswick Early Learning Centre, please see Designated Centre-Parent Subsidy); and/or
- They have a school-aged child registered in a licenced Early Learning and Child Care or a designated New Brunswick Early Learning Centre; and
- They are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and are residents of New Brunswick; and
- They are working, registered in an education program or training, or have special circumstances; and
- Their net annual family income (after deductions) is $55,000 or less.
Designated Centre–Parent Subsidy Program
Families are eligible for the Designated Centre-Parent Subsidy program if:
- They have at least one preschool-aged child who is not in school and is registered in a designated facility; and
- They are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, as well as a resident of New Brunswick; and
- They are either working, in a training or education program, or have a special circumstance; and
- Their gross annual household income (before deductions) is $80,000 or less, or
- Their expenses for childcare services are more than 20% of the gross annual household income (before deductions).
Alternative Child Care Benefit Program
Parents/guardians could be eligible for the Alternative Child Care Benefit Program if:
- They cannot access a licenced Early Learning and Child Care Centre or designated New Brunswick Early Learning Centre, and
- They are Canadian citizens or permanent residents and are residents of New Brunswick; and
- They are working, registered in an education program or training, or have special circumstances, such as medical issues that make them unable to care for their child; and
- Their net annual family income (after deductions) is $55,000 or less.
To apply for the Daycare Assistance Program or Alternative Child Care Benefit Program, please contact Social Development at 1-833-733-7835.
To apply for the Designated Centre–Parent Subsidy Program, register on the Parent Portal by clicking here. You will be able to download an application form. You can submit it and all required documents in three ways:
- Electronically, by attaching the completed form and supporting documents to this email: DCPS-SPPCD@gnb.ca
- By mail, to:
SNB ELC-CPE
Place 2000
P.O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB
E3B 5H1
- In-person at your local Service New Brunswick service centre. Click here for a list of locations.
Please be ready to share basic information about yourself and your income.