Daily Living
Choosing a Daycare or Preschool in PEI
PEI licenses five types of child care centres, and the Child Care Subsidy Program has an eligibility rule that catches many newcomer families off guard. Here is what to check before you commit to a spot.
1. The Five Licensed Child Care Types
The PEI Early Learning and Child Care Board licenses and inspects five categories of care, each with its own age range and fee structure.
| Type | Ages | Parent Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Centre (ECC) | Infant (0-22 months) through school-age (up to 12) | Set by the provider |
| Preschool Centre | 22 months to school entry | Set by the provider |
| Family Home Centre | 0-12 years, in a private residence | Regulated at $10/day for the 0-22-month group |
| School-Age Child Centre | School entry to 12 years, before/after school and PD days | No regulated fee |
| Early Years Centre | Varies | Fees capped by the province |
Unlicensed care, arranged informally with a relative, friend, or neighbour, isn't subject to any of these inspection or staffing standards.
2. Search the Registry, Not Individual Centre Websites
The PEI Early Learning and Child Care Registry lets you search and sign up for licensed programs by location and age group directly. Waitlists in Charlottetown and Stratford routinely start months before a spot is actually needed, so search well before your intended start date, not after your parental leave ends.
3. The Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program
Every Island four-year-old is eligible for the province's play-based pre-kindergarten program: 15 hours a week through licensed early childhood centres, with no parent fee for the core program.
4. The Subsidy Rule That Catches Newcomers Off Guard
The Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP) offers a full or partial subsidy based on family income, but eligibility explicitly requires that you be lawfully entitled to remain in Canada with permanent residency status. Families in PEI on a temporary work or study permit should confirm their status qualifies before assuming subsidy support will be available; this is worth checking early, since it directly affects your child care budget.
- Use the online Child Care Subsidy Calculator first; it requires your (and your spouse's) income tax information and gives an estimate before you commit to anything
- You must already have a confirmed spot at a licensed centre or family home day care before a subsidy can be applied
- Applications aren't available online: call 1-877-569-0546 to book an appointment
- A child with a diagnosed disability may qualify for subsidy regardless of parental employment or education status
5. What to Ask Before You Sign
- Is the fee capped (Early Years Centre, Family Home Centre for infants) or set by the provider (ECC, Preschool Centre)?
- What's included on storm/PD days, and is there an extra daily charge?
- What's the actual current wait time for your child's age group at this specific location?