Child Care Operating Funding
Last updated on November 15, 2024
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Child Care Operating Funding (CCOF) is available for eligible licensed providers through CCOF Base Funding, the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) and the Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement (ECE-WE).
This funding assists providers with the day-to-day costs of running a licensed child care facility. It also enhances early childhood educator wages and reduces fees for families.
Participating in Child Care Operating Funding, the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative and the Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement is optional for child care providers. However, enrolment in Base Funding is required to participate in the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative and Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement.
What’s new for 2024-25
- For 2024-25, we are providing the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative funding guidelines in advance to assist with your planning. We are also opening the renewal application period earlier, to help ensure continuous funding for providers and stable fee reductions for families
- The ministry introduced technology solutions that will automate and streamline the review and approval process. This means if you request:
- No fee increases: Providers who submit complete applications and signed funding agreements will receive an automatic approval notification for the 2024-25 year within a few business days
- Fee increase request 3% and below: Providers who have requested a fee increase at 3% and below of the regional median for their BC School Superintendents Association region, and who submit complete applications and signed funding agreements will receive an automatic approval notification for the 2024-25 year within a few business days
- Exceptional fee increase requests above 3%: Providers who have requested a fee increase above 3% of the regional median for their BC School Superintendents Association region, and who submit complete applications and signed funding agreements will receive a temporary approval up to the month that the fee increase takes effect unless that fee increase is for April 2024
- Starting in 2024-25, the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative will align with education-based regions. Changing to education-based regions will help the program remain regionally responsive and further child care’s integration into the Ministry of Education and Child Care
- Starting April 1, 2024, child care providers receiving Child Care Operating Funding can no longer charge waitlist and waitlist-related fees. This will ensure that waitlist fees are not a financial barrier for families seeking equitable access for child care throughout the province
- To support child care providers during emergencies, as of April 1, 2024, Child Care Operating Funding (CCOF) base funding may be paid when a facility is temporarily closed due to an emergency
- To ensure consistent fee reductions for families, closures outside of the provider’s control may also be eligible for Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative funding if the facility is approved to collect parent fees. Early childhood educator wage enhancement funding is also available during periods of unplanned temporary closure if the provider continues to pay staff wages
Eligibility requirements and details
Base Funding
Base Funding assists with the day to day costs of running a licensed child care facility. This funding helps child care providers maintain quality child care for the community.
Eligibility
Base Funding is available to licensed Family and Group child care providers.
Read more about Base Funding.
Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative
The Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative enhances child care affordability by offering funding to eligible, licensed child care providers to reduce and stabilize monthly child care fees. Families do not need to apply. Providers opt-in to receive funding when they apply for Child Care Operating Funding.
Organizations can choose to apply to the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative at any time during the Child Care Operating Funding term.
Organizations are encouraged to opt-in to the program when they apply for Child Care Operating Funding as the program supports providers in reducing the monthly child care costs by up to $900/month per child for families in their care.
Eligibility
Providers approved for Base Funding can apply for the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative if they have any of these eligible care categories:
- Group infant/toddler care (Under 36 months)
- Family infant/toddler care (Under 36 months)
- Group care for children aged 3 years to kindergarten
- Family care for children aged 3 years to kindergarten
- Group and Family care for children in kindergarten
- Group and Family care for Grade 1 to age 12
- Licensed Preschool
Read more about the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative.
Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement
As part of the B.C. government's Early Care and Learning Recruitment and Retention Strategy, Early Childhood Educators working in licensed child care centres receiving Child Care Operating Funding may be eligible to receive up to a $6 per hour wage enhancement. Early Childhood Educators may also be eligible for the new Specialized Certification Grant.
Child care providers need to apply and be approved to participate to receive funding.
Eligibility
Child care providers who receive Base Funding and have opted in to the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative can apply for the wage enhancement.
All Early Childhood Educators, including those who are also owner/operators of a licensed child care facility, are eligible for the wage enhancement if they are directly employed by a licensed child care facility that meets the requirements found in the Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement funding guidelines.
Read more about the Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement.
Reporting on ChildCareBC
View B.C. Child Care Data and Reports for ChildCareBC programs across the province.
Supporting Information
Contact information
CCOF Program Contact Centre
- 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday
1-888-338-6622 (Option 2)
250-356-6501 (Victoria)