$10 a Day ChildCareBC Centres
Last updated on November 19, 2024
In addition to the fee reduction program, the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program is one of the key ways child care is becoming more affordable for B.C. families. The positive financial impact on families with children in $10-a-day child care is significant, with families paying no more than $200 a month per child for full-time enrolment during regular business hours, regardless of the care type.
Combined with other ChildCareBC affordability programs, some families may pay little to nothing at all through additional funding programs, such as the Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB).
The 2024-25 $10 a Day ChildCareBC program intake is now closed. This page will continue to be updated with new information on the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program, including details on any future intakes.
2024-25 $10 a Day ChildCareBC program expansion
The number of spaces in $10 a Day ChildCareBC centres in communities throughout B.C. now exceeds 15,300 spaces.
From October 1, 2024, to November 7, 2024, eligible Child Care Operating Funding (CCOF) child care providers who have been operational and participating in CCOF for at least one year were able to apply to join the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program.
During the process, priority was given to larger non-profit, publicly delivered and Indigenous-led providers that primarily offer care to children up to five years of age and in communities that have no or a low number of $10-a-day spaces compared to their region’s population density. Changes to criteria this year helped to ensure families earning a low income have better access to $10-a-day spaces.
Participating child care providers will be able to share feedback and suggestions to improve the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program.
Any future intake announcements or information will be posted to this page.
Additional program information
About the $10 a Day ChildCareBC Centres
In 2018, the first cohort of more than 2,500 spaces at 50 $10 a Day ChildCareBC Centres were approved for operation through the Canada-British Columbia Early Learning and Child Care Agreement (ELCC), providing child care providers with the opportunity to offer inclusive, affordable child care.
In B.C. Budget 2021, over 4,000 additional $10-a-day spaces were added, for a total of 6,500 spaces by April 2022. By partnering with the Government of Canada through the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, the number of $10 a Day ChildCareBC spaces increased to 13,200 through the 2022-23 intake.
All regions of the province and all types of licensed child care operators are represented in the current $10 a Day ChildCareBC program, including rural and urban areas, not-for-profits, home-based and sole proprietors, corporations, public institutions and Indigenous-led child care programs.
The Province has passed its initial goal of more than 15,300 $10 a Day ChildCareBC spaces.
Report on the Evaluation and Analysis of $10 a Day ChildCareBC Program
$10 a Day ChildCareBC Centres selection
When the program first launched in 2018, over 300 applications for $10 a Day ChildCareBC Centres were reviewed to ensure factors such as the diversity of British Columbia’s geography, population, program types and operational models were considered in the selection process. This range of sites helped to provide the ministry with a deeper understanding of what contributes to quality, inclusive care, a well-supported and engaged workforce, and a viable funding model.
In the 2021-22 expansion, over 600 applications were received. Priority was given to non-profit/public organizations, Indigenous-led, and home-based child care. In addition, child care based in municipal community centres and on school grounds was also prioritized. However, all licensed child care facilities were eligible to apply.
The 2022 intake priorities are:
- Larger public, not-for-profit, and Indigenous-led child care providers
- Applicants located in communities currently without $10 a Day child care (or with a low proportion of $10 a Day spaces compared to population density)
- Child care spaces for children ages 0-5. If a facility operates 0-5 spaces and multi-age spaces, they are also eligible to apply for all spaces
Being selected as a $10 a Day ChildCareBC Centre is an opportunity for providers of licensed child care facilities – including not-for-profit, in-home providers and private organizations in all parts of the province – to provide their communities with affordable child care as a core service that families can depend on.
Related links
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