Local service guide
Choosing childcare in Longueuil: Fees and Care
To arrange childcare in Longueuil, shortlist providers that cover your child’s age and your full drop-off-to-pickup schedule, then check their permit or home-care recognition and request a written fee agreement. Quebec sets the 2026 subsidized contribution at CAD 9.65 per day; non-subsidized providers set their own rates. For summer care, check the city’s partner camps and request any needed accompaniment through the camp before relying on that arrangement. [1] [2] [3]
Choose the care setting before comparing quotes
Quebec’s preschool care network includes centres de la petite enfance, known as CPEs, private daycare facilities and recognized home childcare. CPEs offer reduced-contribution care. Private daycare facilities can offer subsidized places or set their own non-subsidized fees. Most recognized home childcare services are subsidized, but confirm the status of the particular place you are considering. [2]
Prepare a short care brief: your child’s age, desired start date, days needed, earliest drop-off and latest pickup. Add allergies, medication needs, communication preferences and any support your child needs during meals, toileting or transitions. Give the same brief to each candidate so you can compare their answers.
For school-age care, ask your child’s school about arrangements for the days you need. For an evening sitter or care in your own home, discuss duties, references, first-aid training and emergency procedures with the caregiver. Check the requirements for that arrangement before hiring.
Compare the full fee and the hours you need
For 2026, Quebec sets the subsidized daily contribution at CAD 9.65 and indexes it each January 1. The province requires parents to meet residency and status conditions for reduced-contribution eligibility. Ask the provider which documents you need before treating the reduced fee as your confirmed budget. [3]
The contribution includes up to 10 consecutive hours of educational childcare per day, snacks at scheduled distribution times, a main meal or breakfast depending on attendance, and educational materials. Ask how those inclusions apply to your child’s schedule. Confirm opening and closing times with the provider rather than assuming it offers the full 10 hours. [3]
Quebec permits specified additional charges in subsidized care and requires written parental consent. These include certain outings, specified hygiene items, additional meals, care beyond 10 hours and late pickup after closing. Ask the provider to list each proposed charge and explain the difference between extended care and a late-pickup penalty. [3]
Non-subsidized providers determine their own fees. Quebec explains that financial assistance depends on family income and circumstances and directs parents to a childcare cost calculator. Compare the amount you must pay the provider with a separate estimate of your net cost after applicable assistance. [3]
Verify oversight and discuss daily care
Ask a CPE or private daycare facility for its Ministry of Family permit details. For recognized home childcare, ask for the coordinating office’s name and confirmation of recognition. Quebec states that the Ministry or coordinating office conducts inspections to check compliance with childcare requirements. [2]
Quebec requires recognition for childcare in a private residence, with exceptions when care involves only two children or children who ordinarily live together. If a home provider says an exception applies, ask them to explain the arrangement. You can contact the Ministry’s client relations centre at 1 855 336-8568 for clarification. [2]
During a visit, ask who will care for your child, how the provider handles staff absences and how they communicate incidents. Discuss sleep supervision, food allergies, medication, outdoor activities and authorized pickup.
For recognized home childcare, ask how many children attend and their ages. Compare the answer with Quebec’s published limits: six children without an assistant or nine with an assistant, including limits on children under 18 months. [2]
Plan summer coverage through Longueuil’s partner camps
Longueuil directs families to partner camps for registration and payment arrangements. The city’s camp page lists April 25 registration and a June 29 start for most camps, but does not state a season year in that passage. Ask the camp for confirmed dates for the season you need before planning coverage. [1]
Before choosing a camp, ask about the age prerequisite, daily attendance hours, extended care, closure dates, meals and transportation. Write down the gap between camp pickup and the end of your workday, including travel time. Arrange backup coverage for that gap before paying.
If your child needs accompaniment, contact the partner camp about both support and registration. Longueuil reserves its accompaniment program for city residents and requires children to have attended four- or five-year-old kindergarten. The city lists limited places and provides program information at 450 463-7100, extension 4811. [1]
Agree on the arrangement before the first day
Request current quotes from Longueuil providers for private daycare, nannies or sitters. Give each candidate the same attendance schedule and duties, and ask them to separate the base fee from optional charges.
Request a written agreement covering the start date, attendance schedule, payment timing, closures, absence charges, cancellation terms and pickup rules. Keep the agreement and the provider’s answers together so another authorized adult can follow the same plan.
Prepare emergency contacts, authorized pickup names and care instructions. Discuss an introduction visit or transition schedule and agree on how you will receive updates. Choose a backup adult and decide who will respond if your child cannot attend or you cannot reach the provider before closing.
Quebec recognized home childcare: published group limits
Local details that affect your job
Request camp accompaniment and registration separately
Longueuil’s partner camps receive accompaniment requests for children with particular needs. The city states that requesting accompaniment does not register the child for camp. The program serves Longueuil residents, requires prior attendance in four- or five-year-old kindergarten and has limited places. Ask the camp to confirm both your child’s registration and the support arrangement. [1]
Check the four-year-old camp prerequisite
For the camps identified as accepting children from four-year-old kindergarten, Longueuil requires completion of that kindergarten year and proof of school registration. A child’s fourth birthday alone does not establish eligibility under this listing. Ask the selected camp what proof it accepts and whether it offers a suitable group for your child. [1]
Find candidates for an atypical schedule
Quebec says some educational childcare services offer evening, overnight or weekend care and directs parents to its interactive childcare map. For a Longueuil shift-work schedule, use that provincial guidance to identify candidates, then confirm the exact days and hours with each provider before comparing fees. [2]
Choose a starting point for your care search
| Care need | Starting point | Confirm before committing |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool care at the reduced contribution | CPE or a subsidized daycare place | Eligibility, available schedule and written extras |
| Preschool care in a private facility | Private daycare with a Ministry permit | Whether the place is subsidized; otherwise request its own fee schedule |
| Preschool care in a home setting | Recognized home childcare | Coordinating office, subsidy status and attending children’s ages |
| Evening, overnight or weekend preschool care | Services offering atypical care | Exact recurring hours and an available place |
| Summer camp with additional support | Longueuil partner camp | Age prerequisite, residency, camp registration and accompaniment request |
Your hiring checklist
- Write down your child’s age, start date and complete drop-off-to-pickup schedule.
- Ask whether the offered place is subsidized and request the applicable fee agreement.
- Request permit details or the home provider’s recognition and coordinating office information.
- Discuss allergies, medication, sleep, emergency communication and authorized pickup.
- List closures, absence charges, optional extras and late-pickup terms.
- For camp, confirm age prerequisites, daily hours and proof requirements.
- Confirm camp registration and any accompaniment arrangement as separate steps.
- Arrange backup care and share instructions with another authorized adult.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every private daycare charge CAD 9.65 per day?
No. Quebec sets that contribution for subsidized care in 2026. Private daycare facilities can be subsidized or non-subsidized; non-subsidized providers determine their own rates. Ask about the specific place offered to your child. [2] [3]
Must a home daycare have recognition?
Quebec requires recognition from a home childcare coordinating office, except when care involves only two children or children who ordinarily live together. Ask the provider which status applies and contact the Ministry if you need clarification. [2]
Does a camp accompaniment request secure a camp place?
No. Longueuil states that the accompaniment request is separate from camp registration. Contact the partner camp about both steps. The program has limited places and residency and kindergarten-attendance conditions. [1]
Does the subsidized fee cover my entire workday?
The contribution includes up to 10 consecutive hours per day. Confirm the provider’s opening hours against your work and travel schedule. Quebec allows specified charges for additional hours and late pickup, with written consent. [3]
Sources and scope
This guide combines the sources below with practical planning guidance. Figures apply to the stated geography and period; request a written quote for your property.