Childcare pricing in Alberta confuses almost everybody, and that is not the parents’ fault. There are two separate programs stacked on top of each other, and most centres will not tell you a number until you come in. Here is the whole thing in plain English.

Layer one: the affordability grant

Under the federal–provincial agreement, licensed centres that opt in have the parent portion capped. For 2026 that cap is $326 per month per child, before any subsidy.

You do not apply for this. If the centre participates — we do, at both our locations — it is already reflected in what you are billed.

Layer two: income-tested subsidy

On top of the cap, Alberta runs a separate, income-tested subsidy. This one you do apply for, through alberta.ca/child-care-subsidy.

How much you receive depends on household income and family size. Plenty of families end up paying well under the $326 figure. Some pay nothing at all.

The application is not difficult, but it is easy to stall on. We will sit down with you and go through it — bring the letter to us once you are approved and we apply it from the effective date.

What the monthly fee includes

At Exploring Wonders, the fee covers your child’s program, a nutritional lunch, and all learning materials, activities and community outings.

You send a morning and afternoon snack, indoor shoes, a change of clothes, and seasonal outdoor gear. That is the whole list — we would rather you knew before you enrolled than after.

If you do not need five days

Part-time is typically 3 days a week (Mon/Wed/Fri) or 2 days a week (Tue/Thu), and the affordability grant still applies. We pair part-time schedules between families so a full-time space is never sitting empty.

If you need a single day rather than a schedule, drop-in is $10 per hour up to four hours; past four hours it is charged as a full day at $60. Call ahead so we can confirm space.

The honest caveat

These figures reflect the 2026 program year. The province has changed the agreement before and will change it again. When it does, we tell families in writing before anything moves.

Working out what you would actually pay? Ask us — tell us your child’s age and the days you need, and we will do the arithmetic with you. No obligation, and no pressure to enrol.