Childcare is broadly understood as the care or supervision of children ages 0-12 in regulated or unregulated daycare settings. In Canada, although social programs such as childcare were not explicitly identified as either federal or provincial powers in the Constitution Act of 1867, childcare falls within provincial jurisdiction and is often grouped with education. This division of power means provinces are responsible for licensing procedures, the development of childcare standards, and designing the daycare system. As a result, there has been significant variation in daycare quality and cost across regions throughout history.
Over time, childcare has become a critical component of modern Canadian society in terms of supporting working families and fostering positive early childhood development. In 2023, 56% of Canadian children aged 0 to 5 years were enrolled in licensed or unlicensed childcare. Additionally, 40% of school-aged children aged 4 to 12 years participate in some form of before or after school care. These statistics show how essential childcare is for many Canadian families, prompting governments to work toward strengthening it.