Rates and understanding payments

Last updated on June 28, 2024

Affordable Child Care Benefit rates

Affordable Child Care Benefit rates are based on the type of child care provided.

Learn more about the different types of child care in B.C.

The maximum funding amounts, listed below, start on the first day of the month. They are based on the age of the child.

School age means the child will have reached age 5 on or before December 31 of that school year.

If your child is school age but is not enrolled in school you may be eligible for full day rates for the type of care. Include this information in your application or contact the Child Care Service Centre.

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Licensed child care

Licensed child care providers are monitored and regularly inspected by regional health authorities and meet specific requirements.
Group child care / multi-age child care / school-age child care on school grounds	Maximum monthly funding
Children under 19 months	$1,250
Children 19 months and over but under 37 months	$1,060
Children 37 months and over but who have not reached school age	$550
Children of school age	$415
Family child care / in-home multi-age child care
Children under 19 months	$1,000
Children 19 months and over but under 37 months	$1,000
Children 37 months and over but who have not reached school age	$550
Children of school age	$415
Licensed Preschool
Children 29 months and over but who have not reached school age or who have reached school age but who are not enrolled in school	$225
Other
Care surrounding school day (children enrolled in school)	$210

Registered licence-not-required child care

These are unlicensed care providers. They must have registered with a Child Care Resource and Referral Centre.
Child care provided in a registered licence-not-required setting	Maximum monthly funding
Children under 19 months	$600
Children 19 months and over but under 37 months	$600
Children 37 months and over but who have not reached school age	$550
Children of school age	$415
Care surrounding school day (children enrolled in school)	$210

Licence-not-required child care

These child care providers can operate legally in B.C. They are not registered, licensed, monitored or inspected. And they do not have to meet health and safety standards.
Child care provided in an unlicensed (licence-not-required) setting	Maximum monthly funding
Children under 19 months	$438
Children 19 months and over but under 37 months	$404
Children 37 months and over	$354
Care surrounding school day (children enrolled in school)	$210

In-child's-own-home care

This is unlicensed care, arranged at the child’s home. For example, a nanny or a baby-sitter. Kids from other families can’t be included in this care. The care provider can’t be a relative who lives in the home.
Child care provided in a child's own home	Maximum monthly funding
First child under 19 months	$394
First child 19 months and over	$318
Second child under 19 months	$198
First child of school age receiving care before or after school care if another child in the family, who has not reached school age, is also in care in the home Second child, unless the child is under 19 months, whether or not receiving care surrounding school day Each additional child, whether or not receiving care surrounding school day	$147
Care surrounding school day: First child of school age unless another child in the family, who has not reached school age, is also in care in the home	$210

Affordable Child Care Benefit payments

Once your application is approved, both the parent or guardian and the child care provider will receive a benefit plan. The plan includes the benefit amount with the start and end dates.

In most cases, the child care provider receives the payment after they submit a monthly claim form. If child care is provided in the child's own home, parents or guardians submit the claim form and pay the child care provider. The benefit is paid by cheque or direct deposit.

Parents or guardians pay the balance of the child care provider's fee after the benefit amount is deducted.

Absences and vacations

The Affordable Child Care Benefit is only paid for child care provided.

If the child is absent due to vacation, the parent or guardian receives the benefit for up to two weeks in one month. This cannot exceed more than four weeks in one calendar year.

If the child is absent due to child or parent illness, the parent or guardian receives the benefit for up to two weeks in one month.

Accurate attendance records are necessary and subject to audit.

Withdrawals

If a child attends some days during a month, but withdraws before the end of the month and their space is not filled:

You may be eligible to receive:
- The full authorized monthly benefit amount if the child attended for half of the month or more
- Half of the authorized monthly benefit amount if the child attended less than half of the month

*Note: This rule is different for the Young Parent Program.

Benefit adjustments for care surrounding a school day

Rates for care surrounding a school day apply for all days school is in session, in line with the School Calendar Regulation. This also includes the following statutory holidays:

Family Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Victoria Day
Labour Day
Thanksgiving Day
Remembrance Day

Days in session are based on the school calendar year. It includes the days that principals, vice principals, directors of instruction and teachers are available for instruction, non-instruction or administrative activities. For these days, increases can be requested from half days of care to full days of care at the care surrounding school day rate. This also applies to other days during the school year, such as child illness, professional development and unplanned school closures.

For winter, spring and summer breaks, and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:

The care surrounding school day rate can be increased to the applicable children of school age rate

Use the forms below to request adjustments. Families and providers may submit forms after the 25th of the month being claimed.

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