The Start-Up Grants program is designed to increase the number of licensed child care spaces available to B.C. families by supporting individuals who want to operate a licensed child care facility in their personal residence. The grant assists with the costs associated with obtaining a Group Care, Family, and In-Home Multi-Age (IHMA) licence type under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act and Child Care Licensing Regulation.
Applicants should ensure they understand how to open a licensed child care facility, and are encouraged to contact their regional Health Authority Licensing Office prior to applying to become familiar with licensing regulations in their area. Review the 'Before you apply' section of the website for more resources. All Start-Up Grant funding is subject to availability.
Becoming licensed makes a provider eligible for:
The Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB) helps families with the cost of child care, depending on factors like family size, type of care and household income. Families with children attending licensed settings may be eligible for a higher benefit rate than in unlicensed child care settings.
Unlicensed child care providers are allowed to care for up to two children (or a sibling group) who are not related to them. By becoming licensed these providers may care for up to seven children under a Family Child Care licence.
Who can apply
Applicants must create licensed child care in their personal residence.
Eligible applicants include:
Applicants must also:
And, if applicable, they must be:
Ineligible applicants include those who:
A licence under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act and Child Care Licensing Regulation is issued by health authorities under the Ministry of Health, and their issuance is not within the control or purview of the Ministry of Education and Child Care. The requirements for obtaining a licence may be different in each region and municipality and may be different for each applicant’s circumstances. Applicants are encouraged to contact their regional health authority licensing office prior to applying for a Start-Up Grant to ensure they are familiar with how licensing regulations will apply to them.
When to apply
You must apply for the Start-Up Grant before becoming licensed.
While there is no deadline for applications, the Start-Up Grants will be subject to the availability of funding. Individuals who are interested in the program and who have talked to their licensing office about their region’s licensing requirements are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure their applications are properly considered.
How to apply
To apply, first review this entire webpage then complete the online form to submit your application online.
Please note: an application is not a guarantee of funding. If the application is incomplete or provides inconsistent or unsupported information, the review process may be delayed, or the application may be found ineligible. Funding is subject to availability.
Funding details
The grant offers $500 up front to cover costs associated with becoming licensed. There is an additional $500 per child care space once a valid licence under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act has been issued and the organization is actively participating in CCOF and, where eligible, CCFRI. Applicants must comply with the CCOF and CCFRI program requirements, including any fee caps.
After applying for CCOF and opting in to CCFRI, recipients must submit a copy of their Community Care Facility Licence to the ministry to receive the additional payment up to $500 per space (as stated on the licence). The amount received is a flat rate based on the number of spaces created, not the amount spent to become licensed.
For example, a provider who obtains an In-Home Multi-Age licence for 8 spaces would receive a total of $4,500 (an initial payment of $500 plus an additional $500 per space after becoming licensed and upon reconciliation).
Eligible costs
Start-Up Grants can be used to offset the costs associated with becoming licensed, including:
Please note: costs are eligible if the applicant receives their licence after their application approval date and meets the requirements below. Receipts will not need to be submitted.
Requirements
All child care providers who receive funding through Start-Up Grants are required to:
The initial $500 payment and, if applicable, the final installment, must be returned to the ministry if the recipient does not meet and maintain the above requirements. Additionally, if a Recipient does not enroll, becomes ineligible, or withdraws from CCOF and/or the CCFRI prior to the three-year commitment period, the Recipient will be required to repay their initial and final Start Up Grant payment to the ministry. The Recipient will also be subject to any withdrawal penalties that apply under the terms of their CCOF Funding Agreement with the ministry, including repaying any CCFRI payments provided after the facility became ineligible to receive CCFRI by double the amount overpaid.
Appeals and complaints
If there is a concern about the service provided by the Child Care Capital and Community Services Team, or about a funding decision, Recipients may contact Child Care Capital and Community Services at 1-888-338-6622 (option 5) and ask to speak with an Operations Supervisor or send an email to MCF.CCCF@gov.bc.ca with the following in the subject line: “Attention: Operations Supervisor.”
For more information on the Start-Up Grants program, contact Child Care Capital and Community Services.