Service payment
No daycare centre can demand registration fees, a down payment or deposit for any reason whatsoever. Nor can it collect payment from the parent before beginning to perform its obligation.
The parent must make the first payment on the date indicated in the contract for the child to begin attending the daycare centre. If a daycare service contract is signed on August 1 and gives September 1 as the child's starting date, the daycare centre can demand a financial contribution from the parent only as of September 1, if it is able to take the child at that time.
Daycare services must be paid for in at least 2 relatively equal payments distributed over equal periods over the contract's entire duration. For example, the parties could agree on weekly payments of $35 each or payments of $70 every 2 weeks.
Rates for special services
The law requires the rate indicated in the contract and determined by the hour, day or week to be the same for the contract's entire duration. A daycare centre may not charge amounts other than those specified in the contract.
However, a special rate can be determined with a parent for a service that is an exception, optional, and provided over and above the main contract. In this case, the service description and rate applicable must be indicated in the service contract or a separate contract and the costs invoiced separately.
Further, a daycare centre may not apply a fine, other than payment of interest covering the period for which payment is late, in cases where a parent does not meet his or her obligation to pay on the date stipulated.
Payment of subsidized daycare services
When a parent is eligible for a reduced contribution, the service provider may not demand:
- a contribution other than that set in the Regulation respecting reduced contributions for the services described;
- administrative, registration or management fees for the services offered, or fees for putting someone on a waiting list in order to get a "reduced contribution" spot.
The daycare service provider cannot charge fees or demand contributions in addition to those set in the Regulation respecting reduced contributions for any activity organized, item supplied or service offered during the time daycare services are provided, except in the following cases:
- an excursion organized in the context of an educational activity for which the beneficiary incurs costs and in which the child can participate;
- a hygiene article supplied to the child for which the beneficiary incurs costs;
- an additional meal other than meals provided during the time services are provided.