ChildCareBC Bulletin

95 Edition, January 15, 2025

Archived editions

Renewal for the 2025 to 2026 Child Care Operating Funding, Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative and Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement

Together, government and child care providers are reducing fees for families and sustaining child care services in communities throughout British Columbia. Child Care Operating Funding assists providers with the day-to-day costs of running a licensed child care facility.

Child care providers can apply for 2025-26 Child Care Operating Funding through My ChildCareBC Services . To ensure providers have time to plan, the 2025-26 CCFRI funding guidelines were shared ahead of time in December 2024.

Refer to the Important Timelines section on the Apply for or renew Child Care Operating Funding page for key dates for Child Care Operating Funding renewal.

For 2025-26, fee increase limits remain at 3% of the regional median fee. These limits support families to access affordable child care. In addition to the 3% fee increase, providers are supported through base funding, provider payments and the Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement.

The Child Care Operating Funding program contact centre is open to provide support to child care providers from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, at 1-888-338-6622 (Option 2).

For $10 a Day ChildCareBC applicants: Child care providers who recently applied to the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program will begin to be directly notified about the status of their application beginning in the new year. Successful applicants who sign a new $10 a Day ChildCareBC Funding Agreement will receive funding through the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program.

Year Two of the Specialized Certification Grant for eligible ECEs

The Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Specialized Certification Grant, administered by the Early Childhood Educators of BC (ECEBC), recognizes Infant Toddler Educators and Special Needs Educators for their enhanced credentials and certification and incentivizes ECEs to upskill and obtain these specialized certificates.

This annual grant recognizes ECEs holding at least one specialized certificate currently working with children from birth to age five in licensed child care or Aboriginal Head Start child care program and who have been working in the child care sector for at least 12 months. For more information on the ECE Specialized Certification Grant, including eligibility and how to apply, please visit the Specialized Certification Grant page on ECEBC’s website. 

Those interested in applying to the ECE Specialized Certification Grant are invited to attend an online information session on January 23 at 6:30 p.m. to answer any questions they may have. Please note that registration is required to attend.

Education Support Fund (bursary) information session

ECEBC is hosting an Education Support Fund Bursary Basics information session on January 20 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. to provide ECE students with details and to answer any questions regarding the program and application process. Registration is required to attend this session.

Upcoming ECEBC professional learning opportunities

ECEBC provides many professional development opportunities for ECEs and child care providers throughout B.C. Upcoming opportunities include:

• Aansaamb aen kiskayhtaamaahk – Learning Together
  • February 5, 12 and 19, 2024, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
  • In partnership with Métis Nation BC, ECEBC in excited to host this FREE online workshop series, which provides additional opportunities to support incorporating Métis specific teachings within early learning programming, promoting learning environments in which Métis culture is recognized and celebrated
  • Registration is required, and includes all three sessions
• Human Rights In The Workplace
  • February 11th, 2025, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • In partnership with Justice Education Society, ECEBC is offering a further law-related workshop focused on BC human rights for employees. This will encourage familiarity with recognizing discrimination and encouraging inclusive workplaces
  • Registration is required, and cost is $20

Please visit ECEBC’s Workshops webpage for additional information on these opportunities, and how to register.