Children at 71 Toronto schools will be able to attend full-day kindergarten as of September.
Education Minister Kathleen Wynne announced the details of the new program on Tuesday at David Hornell Junior School.
"The cost for this year is $200 million," she said.
"That includes a training program. The curriculum is being developed now."
Nearly 600 schools across the province will offer the day-long education for four and five-year-old students. That affects about 35,000 children and their parents.
The program is expected to cost about $1.5 billion and will be rolled out over five years.
Before and after school childcare spots will also be created.
Ontario is facing a $25-billion deficit and the Conservative party has argued the program should be put off until the budget is straightened out.
Is your school on the list? Find out here. (Ontario Government web site)
With files from The Canadian Press