Information for operators

Early learning and child care services offer a dual support to families: labor force participation for parents and early learning experiences for children.  Over the last few years, New Brunswick has transformed its childcare system through the designation of New Brunswick Early Learning Centre and New Brunswick Early Learning Homes.  The designation program focused on ensuring an affordable access to services for families and strengthening quality learning for children. New Brunswick’s vision is to ensure access to a high-quality, affordable, and inclusive early learning and child care system that families can rely on and where every child receives the necessary services to reach their full potential.

Reduction in Parent Fees

Fees paid by parents for children 0-5 years old, who are enrolled in a designated facility will be reduced on average by 50% beginning June 1, 2022.  The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is implementing a Standardized Parent Fee Grid that sets the fees operators can charge parents.  See the new daily rates below: 

Parents who have a child enrolled in a New Brunswick Early Learning Centre or a New Brunswick Early Learning Home will pay the set fee as noted above.  As an example, a parent with an 18-month old infant enrolled in a designated facility in Moncton who pays today $41.30 per day will be paying $21 per day on June 1, 2022 – a reduction in their out of pocket costs of approximately $5,200 per year.  Another example: a parent with a 3-year-old enrolled in a designated facility in Edmundston who pays $31.30 per day, will be paying $16 per day beginning on June 1, 2022 – a reduction of their out of pocket expenses of approximately $3,900 per year.

Facility Eligibility

Funding under the Canada-New Brunswick Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement is only available to designated facilities for the services offered to preschool-aged children.

Beginning on June 1, 2022, EECD will be implementing a Standardized Parent Fee Grid which sets the fees operators of designated facilities can charge parents.  In order to be eligible for this reduced parent fee, all children must be enrolled, and the offer accepted by parents.

Operators of designated facilities are required to apply the Standardized Parent Fee Grid and only charge parents the amount indicated above, beginning June 1, 2022.

Funding to operators

EECD is implementing a Standardized Parent Fee Grid which sets the maximum daily parent fees operators of designated facilities charge parents, beginning on June 1, 2022.  To help cover the difference in revenue, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is introducing the Parent Fee Reduction Grant for operators of designated facilities. This new grant will cover the difference between the new Standardized Parent Fee Grid and the fees on record for their designated facility.

For families with a gross annual income of less than $80,000, the Parent Subsidy Program has been adapted to the new standard fees and continues to be available to support low- and middle-income families with the cost of childcare for the portion that is charged by operators.

Operators continue to receive that Infant and Quality Operational Grants.

Non designated Early Learning and Child Care Facilities

Early learning and child care facilities that are not designated are not eligible to receive any funding from the Canada-New Brunswick Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. This means that the reduced parent fees are not available.

However, low and middle income families registered in non-designated facilities have access to the Daycare Assistance Program to help cover cost of fees based on eligibility criteria. Parents can verify if they qualify for the Daycare Assistance Program by using this calculator.

A child care facility can be licensed, but not designated as a New Brunswick Early Learning Centre or Home . Operators participate in a voluntary application process to obtain the designation.  You can check the status of designation of your early learning and childcare facility here.