When you’re searching for a daycare, the type of services near you shapes your real options. Some neighbourhoods are rich in CPEs; others lean heavily toward private garderies. Knowing the mix in your area helps you set expectations.
The province-wide picture
Quebec publishes an official directory of every licensed childcare facility. Across the province there are roughly:
- 3,800+ licensed facilities in total,
- about 1,800 CPEs and 2,000 garderies,
- ~2,800 subsidized spots-providers versus ~1,000 non-subsidized (private).
So most facilities are subsidized — but private ones are a meaningful share, and they’re not spread evenly.
Why the local mix matters
- Availability: in high-demand areas, subsidized spots fill fast. A higher share of private garderies nearby can mean shorter waits.
- Cost: private rates are set by each provider, but the net cost after tax credits often lands close to a subsidized spot. The choice is rarely as expensive as the sticker price suggests.
- Quality: type isn’t a guarantee either way. Quebec’s quality evaluations show garderies fail more often than CPEs on average — so always check the individual service’s results. See what the Auditor General found.
How to check your own area
- Browse the official childcare directory to see the CPEs and garderies near you and whether each is subsidized. It’s published as open data on Données Québec (the Répertoire des services de garde).
- Use the registration portal to apply and track your position on the waitlist.
The bottom line
There’s no single “best” type — there’s the best fit for your family, your budget, and what’s actually available near you. Map the mix in your area first, then weigh cost and quality together.
Sources: Répertoire des services de garde éducatifs à l’enfance — open data on Données Québec (CC-BY 4.0). Counts derived from a June 2026 snapshot of the directory: ~3,800 facilities (1,817 CPEs and 1,996 garderies; 2,824 subsidized vs 989 non-subsidized), across 17 regions. Figures shift as services open and close — check the current dataset for exact numbers.
