$10 a Day ChildCareBC Centres
Last updated on August 20, 2025
The $10 a Day ChildCareBC program is one of the ways the province is making child care more affordable for families in B.C.
Combined with additional ChildCareBC programs, such as the Affordable Child Care Benefit, some families may pay little to nothing at all for their child care.
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$10 a Day ChildCareBC program expansion
From August 20 to October 1, 2025, eligible Child Care Operating Funding child care providers can apply to become a $10 a Day ChildCareBC Centre through My ChildCareBC Services.
Eligible Child Care Operating Funding recipients who have been operational and participating for at least one year are able to apply to join the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program. There are online resources and call centre support to assist providers with the intake process.
Priority will be given to non-profit, Indigenous-led providers and publicly run providers, especially those offering care to children under five and those located in selected communities with low access to $10-a-day spaces.
Some applications from the 2024-2025 intake have been placed on an eligibility list and, from August 20 to October 1, 2025, providers on the eligibility list will be invited to review their existing application to confirm that the information is still accurate, update any new information and required documents and resubmit their application for consideration in the 2025-2026 intake.
Stay up to date on ChildCareBC programs
The ChildCareBC website has a variety of resources and information available. We also encourage you to sign up for the ChildCareBC Bulletin to receive regular updates to your inbox.
Information for families
Access to $10-a-day child care
Access to an approved $10 a Day ChildCareBC Centre is based on each location’s licensed capacity and waitlist.
Your local Child Care Resource and Referral Centre can help you with information and resources for obtaining child care based on your needs.
You may also be eligible for support through the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative and the Affordable Child Care Benefit. The Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative web page has a list of participating providers.
Direct enrolment into the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program
Child care providers apply to become a $10 a Day ChildCareBC Centre. Families do not need to apply.
There are no restrictions to the program based on citizenship.
Automatic conversion of current child care spaces to $10-a-day
If a child care centre joins the program, your child’s spot will switch automatically, so there is no need to sign up again.
Waitlist changes if provider joins the program
Child care waitlists are kept and managed by individual child care providers, so it is best to contact them directly to find out how they manage spots and enrolment.
It is a good idea to reach out to your local preferred child care provider to learn how their waitlists work, and how they fill openings.
Your local Child Care Resource and Referral Centre also has information and resources to help you find child care in your community.
Enrollment forms
Families do not need to send paperwork to the ministry, but your child care provider may have forms that need to be filled out.
Households that earn up to $111,000 may be able to have their fees further reduced by applying for the Affordable Child Care Benefit.
Information for child care providers
The $10 a Day ChildCareBC program offers enhanced, stable operating funding to providers while making full-time child care more affordable for families.
Priorities for selecting $10-a-day program providers
Under the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, signed in July 2021 between B.C. and the federal government, the province is required to focus on public and not-for-profit sectors.
For-profit providers can still apply and may be included in the program. They continue to be eligible for other ChildCareBC programs, including base funding, fee reductions and support for recruitment and retention.
Early Childhood Educator grants, bursaries or programs
Information about education and training, certification and bursaries are available on the Support for Early Childhood Educators web page. Educators who are specifically interested in working at a $10 a Day ChildCareBC Centre will need to apply directly at participating centres.
Requesting feedback about program applications
Due to the large volume of interest, the $10-a-day program is not offering individual feedback.
We appreciate the time and effort applicants put into applying. The ministry reviews each submission carefully and considers several factors, including alignment with key program priorities, budget availability and the overall spaces target.
Additional program information
Contact information
For questions about the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program, please contact us at the phone number below.
1-888-338-6622 (Option 7)
childcarebc.engagement@gov.bc.ca