Child care health and safety

Last updated on June 30, 2025

Health and safety information to assist and support child care providers to keep families informed of the latest public health guidance. 

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Health and safety guidance

The Ministry of Health and the BCCDC have provided public health guidance for child care and school settings, which will continue to be updated as needed.

Ministry of Education and Child Care emergency management resources

Additional resources


Important emergency information for child care families

  • During emergencies or natural disasters in BC, child care centres in impacted areas may be temporarily closed
  • Child care providers are instructed to listen to their local officials and emergency responders and comply with all evacuation orders, travel restrictions and all other emergency management communication
  • Individual centres will communicate their closure and/or evacuation plans directly with families. Individual centres will communicate their reopening plans directly with families when they are ready to do so, but please be aware that this may take time
  • The ministry monitors emergencies and natural disasters throughout BC to ensure safety and that families and child care providers continue to be supported through ministry programs
  • For additional support in finding child care, you can access the ChildCareBC Map to help you find a child care provider in your area that may be able to provide temporary child care. This tool allows you to search based on the city, geographic distance, program type, services offered and space availability. However, please note that it is unable to track evacuation orders and may not be updated to reflect current closures due to these circumstances
  • For the latest updates on current wildfire conditions, including evacuation orders, visit EmergencyInfoBC and BCWildfire.ca

Important emergency information for child care providers


ChildCareBC Maintenance Fund

  • Child care facilities impacted by major emergencies may be eligible for assistance through the ChildCareBC Maintenance Fund
  • The ChildCareBC Maintenance Fund helps licensed child care facilities in emergency circumstances, defined as sudden and unexpected conditions that directly impact children’s health and safety or may result in immediate facility closure. Please visit the Maintenance Fund web page for more information and to apply

Child Care Operating Funding during emergency closures

  • Child Care Operating Funding base funding may be paid when a facility is temporarily closed due to an emergency
  • If a facility continues to charge fees to families and pay staff wages during a temporary closure, Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative and Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement may be available with ministry approval
  • To report an emergency closure and request funding, please email CCOF@gov.bc.ca. In the email, please include the facility name, facility ID (Ex: F/G-XXXXX-XXXXX), closure date, expected reopen date, reasons for closure, and the type of funding being requested. For more information on your centre’s eligibility or to report an emergency closure providers can reach the ministry at 1-888-338-6622, selecting option 2

$10 a Day ChildCareBC Centres

  • Providers participating in the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program will also continue to receive regular operational funding for up to 14 calendar days and may receive additional funding for longer periods during emergency closures
  • For more information or to report an emergency closure, $10 a Day ChildCareBC providers can reach the ministry at at 1-888-338-6622, selecting option 7

Contact information for providers

  • For any additional inquires, the ministry is available with email and phone support and can be reached at: ChildCareBC.engagement@gov.bc.ca
  • Child care providers can call the ministry at 1-888-338-6622 (toll free)Specific programs can be reached at the options below:  
    • Option 1 – Affordable Child Care Benefit  
    • Option 2 – Child Care Operating Funding (Base Funding, Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative, ECE Wage Enhancement)  
    • Option 3 – Early Childhood Educator Registry  
    • Option 4 – Child Care Resource and Referral  
    • Option 5 – Child Care Capital Funding (New Spaces Fund, Maintenance Fund, Start-Up Grants)  
    • Option 7 – $10 a Day ChildCareBC Centres