Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative

Last updated on March 14, 2024

For 2024-25 Child Care Operating Funding and Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative renewals:

  • Participating providers can no longer charge waitlist and waitlist-related fees
  • The Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative now aligns with the BC School Superintendents Association (BCSSA) regional chapters
  • Technology solutions will automate and streamline the review and approval process

The Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative enhances child care affordability for families by offering funding to eligible, licensed child care providers to reduce and stabilize monthly child care fees.

Families do not need to apply. Providers opt in to receive funding when they apply for Child Care Operating Funding.

​Find participating providers

Please note that Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative resources and tools have been updated. To find providers participating in the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative, please refer to the CCFRI Estimator or Child Care Map.


2024-25 Renewal - Important timelines for child care providers

  • February 21: 2024-25 funding agreements are available for providers to review and agree to the terms and conditions by completing the declaration section on their program confirmation form.
  • March 5: To ensure continuous funding through April 1, providers must agree to the terms of their funding agreements by completing the declaration section of their program confirmation form by this date.
  • March 15: Child care providers can start submitting enrolment reports for April 2024.
  • April 1: 2024-25 Funding term begins. Funding is disbursed to eligible child care providers who have submitted claims.
  • April 30: Renewing providers will have until April 30 to submit renewal applications to be eligible for funding starting April 1.
  • May 1: Approved child care providers can start submitting their monthly ECE reports through the ECE Reporting Tool starting May 1 to receive April 2024 funding. Payments are calculated based on the total number of hours worked each month, which is why ECE-WE is reported and paid after the end of each month.

Participation in the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative is optional and eligible providers can apply at any time during the funding term. Families and child care providers can contact the Child Care Service Centre at 1-888-338-6622 (Option 2) for information about a provider’s application.

Providers opting in to the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative are not required to reduce their fees for families until they receive written approval from the ministry. Any reduction in fees passed on to families prior to receiving approval is at the provider’s sole responsibility.