On December 12, 2025, the governments of Canada and Alberta announced a one-year extension of two key agreements in the field of early learning and child care. The extension is valid until March 31, 2027 (previously, the basic five-year framework ended in March 2026).
What exactly has been extended
The extension covers:
- Canada–Alberta Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement (CWELCC)
- Canada–Alberta Early Learning and Child Care Agreement
Both agreements have been extended until March 31, 2027.
It is separately noted that funding for infrastructure projects in the field of childcare (Infrastructure Funding Agreement) will also be extended for another year in 2026–27 to support the creation of places in communities where they are lacking.
Key for parents: $15 per day remains
The Canadian government explicitly states that federal funding for 2026–27 will help maintain “$15-a-day parent fees” for licensed early learning and child care programs.
The Alberta government's website also explains that the reduction applies to children from birth to kindergarten age in eligible licensed programs (daycare, preschool, family day homes through a licensed agency).
How much money is being allocated
The Canadian government's news release states that more than $1.17 billion in federal funding has been allocated to Alberta for 2026–27 as part of the extension.
The Alberta government repeats the same amount on its official program page.
Where we are now in terms of prices and locations
Alberta officially states that fees for children up to kindergarten age will be reduced to $15/day as of April 1, 2025 (compared to ~$44/day in 2021).
The Canadian government indicates that as of November 2021, 51,000 new spots have been announced in Alberta under the program — progress toward the goal of 68,700 spots by March 2027.
Why this is important right now
The extension is called “one-year” and is explicitly presented as a bridge to a longer/more stable solution after 2026–27: Canada and Alberta say they will continue to work on long-term solutions for the CWELCC system “beyond 2026–27.”
Practical checklist for parents in Alberta
- Make sure your daycare/program is licensed and eligible under CWELCC (this is what is tied to the reduced fees).
- If you are looking for a spot, keep an eye out for updates on the expansion of spots (the goal is by March 2027).
- Keep an eye out for announcements about a “long-term” agreement — the one-year extension was made to allow time to agree on new terms after 2026–27.