Any benefits for kids? (day care, home, pre-school)

[Sukhi]

Hi all, in London, UK we have a great benefits system, many people think they are for those that are not working etc, but there are also benefits for parents that are working, for example, there is free 15 hours a week nursery care for those earning less than a certain amount, but for all kids up to the age of 7 the government has just announced free school lunches which I think is great encouragingly kids to eat healthy, also nursery for kids starts at the age of 3 where they go in part time for a while and then full time, what age do kids start nursery in Canada? I heard it is quiet late? Is there any pre-school type of thing for babies from 3 years?

Any advice will be good, just so I know what to expect when I move,

Thanks

[TiredOfyycCold]

There is daycare and pre-schools available. Both are private and optional and will cost you cash - sometimes lots of cash.

Junior kindergarten starts each September for children who will turn 4 by December 31st of the same year.

I'm assuming you are looking for information specifically relating to Toronto - this link provides a lot of useful info:
Child Care

[Sukhi]

Hiya, thanks for the link I will have a look at it,

Yeah I did think day care will be expensive, so I take it that there is nothing that the government provide for babies free of charge for under 4 year olds

Thanks for your help

[TiredOfyycCold]

I can't say specifically for Toronto - but there definitely isn't in Alberta... and there definitely IS in Quebec. From what I know from friends/family in Ontario, you will pay out of pocket for care under age 4. There may be some subsidized spots available for low-income earners?

Child care is a tax deductable expense though - I can't remember the maximum amount you can claim.. but it's reasonably high, but I know I was WELL over the maximum every year my daughter was in full-time daycare (we paid $900/month and that was 6-9 years ago).

This link has all of that information with respect to the tax deduction:
Line 214 - Child care expenses

[Sukhi]

Oh wow, $900 a month, guess I better look for a good job if we are going to be able to pay child care expenses as well as have a decent quality of life, thanks for your help

I'm soooo scared now wondering if we will be able to meet all the expenses, I could stay at home and work, are there many home working opportunities in Toronto?

[aziz93144]

I live in the york region (part of GTA) and we do have some child care subsidies:

yr

[30_miles]

I had some child care subsidy while I was studying full time and my husband was working. I paid $7 per day 5 days a week (plus I had to pay for Holidays and even if my child missed one day,all had to be paid). As soon as I started working...that subsidy was taken away from me within a few months!We didn't even have time to get on my feet to be able to afford daycare. Needless to say, I had to leave work as 85% of my paycheck was going straight to daycare. Also note that there is a waiting period just to find out if you qualify for daycare. I think in Toronto it's about 5-8 months and Durham region it's 3 years!!! Hopefully you have family around...that would help.

[30_miles]

Right now daycare cost anywhere from 45-51 per day.