Information for child care partners and providers
Last updated on December 16, 2024
On this page
- Open a child care business
- ChildCareBC funding and resources
- Inclusive child care
- Indigenous child care
- ChildCareBC Bulletin
- ChildCareBC Awards of Excellence
- Early learning and child care engagement
- Information for families
Open a child care business
The requirements for starting a child care business are different, depending on which type of child care provider you plan to be.
ChildCareBC funding programs for new child care spaces
Operating a licensed facility
Child care can be licensed, registered or unlicensed. Unlicensed (or licence-not-required) child care providers can care for only two children or a sibling group not related to them. If care is provided to three or more children, a licence is required.
ChildCareBC funding and resources
Take advantage of funding designed to build a quality, inclusive, child care system families can depend on when they need it, at a price they can afford.
Creating spaces
Maintenance
Operational
- Child Care Operating Funding
- Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative
- Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement
Additional tools and resources
Affordable Child Care Benefit Service Provider Portal
Licensed child care providers and Registered Licence-Not-Required child care providers can use the Service Provider Portal to access self-service options related to Affordable Child Care Benefit claims, benefit plans and payments.
Visit the Affordable Child Care Benefit web page for more program information.
Child care map
Child care providers need to update their information regularly using the Child Care Web Application.
Child care health and safety
Health and safety information to assist and support child care providers to keep families informed of the latest public health guidance.
Design Guidelines for Child Care Centres
Design Guidelines for Child Care Centres help organizations with child care space creation projects achieve a balance between consistent, quality and functional child care centre designs, which will benefit children, families, early learning professionals and communities for years to come.
Inclusive child care
ChildCareBC is our 10-year plan for an inclusive, universal child care system that is welcoming to all children, including those with support needs. The Province is working to deliver affordable, quality and inclusive child care.
- Visit the Inclusive Child Care page to learn more about inclusive resources and supports
Indigenous child care
The Ministry of Education and Child Care is committed to engaging Indigenous people and partners to develop distinctions-based, culturally safe approaches to child care and wraparound services.
ChildCareBC Bulletin
Keep up to date on news from ChildCareBC and the Ministry of Education and Child Care by subscribing to our ChildCareBC Bulletin.
ChildCareBC Awards of Excellence
The ChildCareBC Awards of Excellence honour the outstanding achievements of individuals, organizations, school districts and local governments who help families and communities thrive by providing or supporting the delivery of quality child care in B.C. Nominees demonstrate their excellence in supporting children’s development and their commitment to improving and enhancing relationships with children, families and their community.
- Learn more about the ChildCareBC Awards of Excellence
Early learning and child care engagement
British Columbia is committed to the well-being, care, and education of children. We value your input and would like to know what you think is most critical as we continue to evolve early learning and child care in British Columbia.
Information for families
Visit the information for families page to learn more about the services and supports ChildCareBC offers to British Columbians.