BC Daycare Subsidy & Early Childhood
Education Grants
Are you looking for financial help to help cover daycare
or early childhood education costs?
You may qualify for a BC daycare subsidy or grant to
help with your child's care and education
tuition. Keep
reading to learn about the Child Care Reduction
Initiative (CCFRI) and the
Affordable Child Care Benefit.
Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative
(CCFRI)
The Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) is a provincially funded child care subsidy program that provides funds to eligible, licenced child care providers (like CEFA) to reduce and stabilize child care costs for families. Parents of children up to Kindergarten age who use licensed childcare providers can save up to $900 per month per child in monthly tuition fees.
Parents do NOT need to apply to access this BC daycare subsidy. If your child is enrolled in a participating school (including CEFA), they automatically receive the discount.
Parent Fee Reduction Amounts
Your eligible subsidy amount is not based on family household income, unlike other programs. It is based on the age of your child and whether they're in full- or part-time care.
This will help more families afford the childcare they need and help their children get an educational head-start in life. In 2022, the subsidy increased by 201%, reaching a maximum of $900 per child, per month. Families can also combine this with other childcare subsidies they qualify for, including the Affordable Childcare Benefit
Ask us about receiving this subsidy when you enroll your child in a CEFA Early Learning Centre.
Here is an example of how much you can save on full-time BC childcare:
| CARE CATEGORY | GROUP CHILD CARE | FAMILY/IN-HOME CHILD CARE |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (0 - 18 months) | $900 | $600 |
| Toddler (18 - 36 months) | $900 | $600 |
| 3 Years to Kindergarten | $545 | $500 |
| Kindergarten | $320 | $320 |
| Grade 1 to Age 12 | $100 | $220 |
| Preschool | $95 | N/A |
Children over age 12 who are enrolled at a participating child care Facility (e.g., with an exemption granted by a Licensing Officer) are also eligible and included in the "Grade 1 to Age 12" category
The Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB)
Under this BC daycare subsidy, families with a household income under
$111K can receive up to $1,250 per child per month for child care. The
amount you receive is based on your child(ren)'s age, family size, and
type of care. Families apply for this benefit directly with the provincial
government and need to renew their application every year.
Do You Qualify For The Affordable Child Care Benefit?
QUALIFICATION
In British Columbia, specific criteria are used to check if a family
qualifies for the Affordable Child Care Benefit. Criteria includes:
– A resident of B.C. (you must have a current B.C. address)
– A Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, a Convention refugee or a person in need of protection
SAVINGS CALCULATIONS
| GROUP CHILD CARE / MULTI-AGE CHILD CARE | MAXIMUM MONTHLY FUNDING |
|---|---|
| Infant (0 - 18 months) | $600 |
| Toddler (18 - 36 months) | $600 |
| 3 Years to Kindergarten | $500 |
| Kindergarten | $320 |
| Grade 1 to Age 12 | $220 |
| Preschool | N/A |
Children over age 12 who are enrolled at a participating child care Facility (e.g., with an exemption granted by a Licensing Officer) are also eligible and included in the "Grade 1 to Age 12" category
How Much Funding Is Available?
AVAILABLE FUNDING
The Number Of Children Who Are Living At Home And Whether Or Not Any Of Them Have A Designated Special Need.
We Are Here To Help You.
High-quality Early Childhood Education is critical in the development of children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical needs. It helps them build a solid and broad foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing.
We know that BC daycare subsidies and grant programs can be confusing. Contact us if you have any questions about the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative or the BC Affordable Child Care Benefit.
