$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

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.