Child Care Operating Funding - Base Funding
Last updated on December 15, 2025
Base funding assists eligible licensed family and group child care providers with the day-to-day costs of running a child care centre.
For information on emergency closures, visit the child care health and safety page.
Eligibility
To be eligible to receive base funding, providers must:
- Have a valid Community Care and Assisted Living Act Facility Licence. Please note that funding is not available for occasional child care, child minding, residential care or recreational care
- Be open and currently providing child care
- Be in good standing with the Ministry of Education and Child Care and, if registered, with BC Registries and Online Services
- Agree not to charge waitlist fees
- Agree to provide services to families receiving the Affordable Child Care Benefit
- Make every reasonable effort to provide an inclusive and supportive environment for all children, including children with extra support needs
- Complete the annual provider profile survey or any survey or questionnaire requested by the ministry
Rates
Providers can estimate their monthly base funding payments by multiplying the rate for their licence and service type by the number of enrolled children on their monthly enrolment report.
Group Child Care Rates
Rates for providers with a group or multi-age licence for more than eight children, or if the centre is in a location other than the licensee's personal residence.
|
Rate category (per enrolment) |
4 hours or less |
More than 4 hours |
|
Under 36 months (3 years) |
$6.00 |
$12.00 |
|
3 years to Kindergarten |
$2.74 |
$5.48 |
|
Grade 1 to 12 years |
$1.40 |
$2.80 |
|
Preschool |
$1.37 |
$1.37 |
Family Child Care
Family licence for seven or fewer children in the licensee's personal residence.
|
Rate category (per enrolment) |
4 hours or less |
More than 4 hours |
|
Under 36 months (3 years) |
$1.85 |
$3.70 |
|
3 years to Kindergarten |
$1.41 |
$2.82 |
|
Grade 1 to 12 years |
$0.73 |
$1.46 |
In-Home Multi-Age & Multi-Age Child Care Rates
Group rates apply if the centre:
- Has a group or multi-age licence for more than eight children, or
- Is in a location other than a personal residence
|
Rate category (per enrolment) |
4 hours or less |
More than 4 hours |
|
Under 36 months (3 years) |
$6.00 |
$12.00 |
|
3 years to Kindergarten |
$2.74 |
$5.48 |
|
Grade 1 to 12 years |
$1.40 |
$2.80 |
|
Preschool |
$1.37 |
$1.37 |
The below rates apply if the centre has an in-home multi-age or multi-age licence for eight or fewer children in the licensee’s personal residence. These rates are 20% higher than the family child care rates in recognition of the early childhood educator credential.
|
Rate category (per enrolment) |
4 hours or less |
More than 4 hours |
|
Under 36 months (3 years) |
$2.22 |
$4.44 |
|
3 years to Kindergarten |
$1.69 |
$3.38 |
|
Grade 1 to 12 years |
$0.88 |
$1.75 |
The factors determining group or family rates funding are the number of children and whether the child care is in a personal residence. Other factors, such as renovating the child care space or adding additional staff, do not affect the rate category.
Supporting Information
Contact information
Child Care Service Centre
Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm PT
Interpreting services are available in over 140 languages
1-888-338-6622 (Option 2)