Information for First Nations, Métis and Inuit families

We are building a future where child care is a core service that all families can rely on. The Ministry of Education and Child Care is committed to cooperation and collaboration with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and Indigenous partners to develop distinctions-based, culturally safe approaches to child care and wraparound services.

On this page

• Find Indigenous-led child care
• Get support for child care
• Additional resources
• Engagement opportunities

Find Indigenous-led child care

Aboriginal Child Care Resource and Referral

The BC Aboriginal Child Care Society (BCACCS) operates the only provincial Aboriginal Child Care Resource and Referral (ACCRR) program in B.C.

ACCRR program staff work in partnership with Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators, Indigenous families, and communities on and off reserve and in urban settings throughout the province.

Services through the ACCRR are funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development and support early learning and child care programs, early childhood educators, families, and communities throughout B.C. by providing information, outreach, resource lending, networking, and learning opportunities.

Aboriginal Head Start

Aboriginal Head Start (AHS) is evidence-based early learning and child care programming for Indigenous children aged birth to 6 years and their families. Using a culturally relevant curriculum that includes language and culture, nutrition, school readiness and social supports, AHS provides wraparound family support and inclusion services at no cost to Indigenous families.

Aboriginal Head Start supports Indigenous-led child care through partnerships with the First Nations Health Authority and the Aboriginal Head Start Association of British Columbia.

Learn more about Aboriginal Head Start programs, visit First Nations Health Authority and Aboriginal Head Start Association B.C.

Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities program

The Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities (AHSUNC) Program is a national community-based early intervention program funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. AHSUNC focuses on early childhood development for First Nations, Métis and Inuit children and their families living in urban and northern B.C. communities. AHSUNC sites typically provide structured half-day preschool experiences for Indigenous children (3-5 years of age).

Aboriginal Supported Child Development

Aboriginal Supported Child Development (ASCD) are community-based programs that offer a range of consulting and support services to children, families, and child care centres to help children with support needs to fully participate in child care programs. ASCD programs provide supports in a culturally relevant and meaningful way.

Métis programs and supports

Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) promotes healthy growth and development of children and families through experiences grounded in Métis culture and community ways.  The vision of the MNBC Ministry of Education is to achieve educational success, Métis learners need to see themselves reflected in the education system. This begins in early learning (kindergarten to grade three) and continues in secondary school and later in post-secondary education. Their Métis culture and heritage need to be recognized and respected.

• Métis Family Connections - Early Years. Métis Family Connections Navigators assist families in connecting with supports, community, and culture, and link them to relevant programs and services. Children (birth to 8) receive an enrollment kit filled with carefully curated cultural items including a specialized kit for infants.

The Miyoopimatishihk (Wellbeing) Program

The Miyoopimatishihk (Wellbeing) Program is available to Métis Citizens from birth to eight years who are enrolled in the Métis Family Connections Program. Through the Miyoopimatishihk (Wellbeing) Program, families can apply for financial support to assist with the cost of a wide range of services, programs, and products, including but not limited to respite care, speech therapy, assessments, specialized equipment, and mental health supports.

Imagination Library Program 

The Imagination Library is a literacy program that focuses on children from birth to four years. Each child receives their own age-appropriate book each month.

Get support for child care

Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative

The Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative lowers the cost of child care for families at participating centres. Parents do not need to apply.

$10 a Day ChildCareBC Centres

$10 a Day ChildCareBC Centres receive operating funding to offer low-cost quality child care. Parents pay no more than $200 a month per child. Parents do not need to apply. 

Affordable Child Care Benefit

The Affordable Child Care Benefit is a monthly payment to help eligible families with the cost of child care. Factors like income, family size and type of care determine how much support families can get. The benefit can be combined with other affordability programs to reduce the cost of child care down to no cost for families who need it most. Use the Estimator tool to calculate your monthly savings and apply online.

Young Parent Program

Parents under the age of 25 may qualify for the Young Parent Program to help with child care while they finish high school.

Additional resources for child care

The following resources are available, though not funded or operated by the Ministry of Education and Child Care.

Métis early learning and child care

Métis-specific wraparound resources, training initiatives, programs and services are available to help Métis families build a network of support that provides children with opportunities for early learning and childhood development:

The Métis Child Care Benefit (MCCB) Program is a service offered by the Métis Child Care Navigation and Support Program for families with Métis children from birth to 12 years. Through the Métis Child Care Benefit Program, eligible families may be able to access additional funding from what is provided by the Provincial Affordable Child Care Benefit to support the cost of child care.

The MCCB is a monthly benefit to support parents with their cost of Licensed or Registered License-Not-Required child care and Licensed Preschool. The supplement for Licensed or Registered License-Not-Required Child Care costs are calculated at a monthly rate, to a maximum of $500 per child, per month.

BC Aboriginal Child Care Society Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Transformation Initiative funding

The BC Aboriginal Child Care Society (BCACCS) provides leadership, oversight, and accountability for new annual funding from the federal government to support Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (IELCC) capacity development among First Nations and other Indigenous communities in B.C.

Through IELCC Transformation Initiative funding, this is being accomplished by enhancing, expanding, and supporting innovation within existing IELCC programs and supporting communities or regions where there are no programs and services, or where they are severely underfunded.