Child care costs in Alberta (2026)
Rules verified against official sources on 2026-07-05. Figures below are computed by the same engine as our cost calculator.
Alberta charges a flat parent fee of $326.25 per month (a $15/day equivalent — Alberta is not at $10/day) for full-time licensed care of children from birth to kindergarten age at providers with an Affordability Grant agreement, since April 1, 2025 and unchanged for 2026-27. Part-time care of 50–99 hours a month costs a flat $230; under 50 hours isn't covered. Children attending full-time kindergarten are excluded from the flat fee.
Kindergarten-to-grade-6 children in out-of-school care use Alberta's income-tested Child Care Subsidy instead: gross family income under $90,000 qualifies, with monthly maximums up to $644 (kindergarten at a facility) and $366 (grades 1–6) at the lowest income tier, stepping down to $161/$92 near the cutoff. In July and August, grades 1–6 get the higher kindergarten-level rates.
What full-time care typically costs in Alberta
Monthly figures at a typical (median) provider fee, full-time centre care, before any income-tested subsidy. Universal programs (fee caps, automatic reductions) are applied; income-tested help can lower these further.
| Age group | Typical provider fee | What parents pay | Applied program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | $1,100/mo | $326.25/mo | Alberta flat parent fee ($326.25/month) |
| Toddler | $1,000/mo | $326.25/mo | Alberta flat parent fee ($326.25/month) |
| Preschool | $950/mo | $326.25/mo | Alberta flat parent fee ($326.25/month) |
Typical fees are market medians; your provider's fee may differ. Use the calculator for your own income and situation.
Common questions
Is Alberta child care $10 a day in 2026?
No. Alberta's flat parent fee is $326.25/month full-time (a $15/day equivalent) for children up to kindergarten age, unchanged for 2026-27 under the one-year federal extension. No move to $10/day has been announced.
Does the Alberta flat fee cover kindergarten children?
Only if the child is not attending full-time kindergarten. Children in full-time kindergarten use the income-tested subsidy (gross family income under $90,000) for their out-of-school-hours care instead.
Official sources
- https://www.alberta.ca/childcare-fees
- https://www.alberta.ca/child-care-subsidy-program
- https://www.alberta.ca/affordability-grant
Estimate your own cost in Alberta
The MapleCub calculator applies these rules to your income, hours, and child's age — including income-tested subsidies not shown in the table above.
Open the cost calculator →