Released: March 13, 2026
Results from the Survey on Early Learning and Child Care Arrangements conducted by Statistics Canada indicate that in early 2025, more than one-third (35%) of children aged 6 to 12 attending school were in child care across Canada. Younger children were more likely to be in child care than their older peers. Just under half (47%) of children aged 6 to 8 were in child care compared to 33% of children aged 9 to 10 and 20% of children aged 11 to 12. The survey also looked into types of childcare. The most common arrangement of child care was before- or after-school programs (52%), followed by care by a relative other than a parent or guardian (38%).
Data for this week’s chart comes from Statistics Canada Chart 1: Proportion of children aged 6 to 12 years in child care, by type of child care arrangement, among those in child care and school, 2025.
Chart of the Week
Discover powerful insights, one chart at a time. Each week, we feature a data-driven visual that highlights a key trend, issue, or story shaping Canada. See more here.
You may also be interested in…
In September, Canada’s consumer price index, a core inflation metric, rose to 3.1%, up 0.1 points from August, driven by higher fuel prices. Economists are closely monitoring inflation to gauge whether the Bank of Canada will raise rates at its next interest rate announcement scheduled for October 29, 2026.