Child Care Operating Funding - Base funding
Last updated on July 22, 2026Base funding assists eligible licensed family and group child care providers with day-to-day costs of operating a child care centre.
Funding support may be available to providers during an emergency closure. For more information, visit the child care health and safety page.
Eligibility
To be eligible to receive base funding, providers must:
- Have a valid Community Care and Assisted Living Act facility licence. Funding is not available for occasional child care, child minding, residential care or recreational care
- Be open and currently providing child care
- Be in good standing with the Ministry of Education and Child Care and, if registered, with BC Registries and Online Services
- Agree not to charge waitlist fees
- Agree to provide services to families receiving the Affordable Child Care Benefit
- Make every reasonable effort to provide an inclusive and supportive environment for all children, including children with support needs
- Complete the annual provider profile survey and any survey or questionnaire requested by the ministry
Rates
Providers can estimate the base funding payment by multiplying the number of children reported by the applicable rate for the care category.
Group child care rates
Rates for providers with a group or multi-age licence for more than eight children, or if the centre is in a location other than the licensee's personal residence.
|
Care category (per enrolment) |
4 hours or less |
Over 4 hours |
|
Under 36 months (3 years) |
$6.00 |
$12.00 |
|
3 years to kindergarten |
$2.74 |
$5.48 |
|
Grade 1 to age 12 |
$1.40 |
$2.80 |
|
Kindergarten |
$2.74 | $5.48 |
|
Preschool |
$1.37 |
|
Family child care
Rates for providers with a family licence for seven or fewer children in the licensee's personal residence.
|
Care category (per enrolment) |
4 hours or less |
Over 4 hours |
|
Under 36 months (3 years) |
$1.85 |
$3.70 |
|
3 years to kindergarten |
$1.41 |
$2.82 |
|
Kindergarten |
$1.41 | $2.82 |
|
Grade 1 to age 12 |
$0.73 |
$1.46 |
In-home multi-age and multi-age child care rates
Group rates apply if the centre:
- Has a group or multi-age licence for more than eight children, or
- Is in a location other than a personal residence
|
Care category (per enrolment) |
4 hours or less |
Over 4 hours |
|
Under 36 months |
$6.00 |
$12.00 |
|
3 years to kindergarten |
$2.74 |
$5.48 |
|
Grade 1 to age 12 |
$1.40 |
$2.80 |
|
Kindergarten |
$2.74 | $5.48 |
|
Preschool |
$1.37 |
|
The below rates apply if the centre has an in-home multi-age or multi-age licence for eight or fewer children in the licensee’s personal residence. These rates are 20% higher than the family child care rates in recognition of the early childhood educator credential.
|
Care category (per enrolment) |
4 hours or less |
Over 4 hours |
|
Under 36 months |
$2.22 |
$4.44 |
|
3 years to kindergarten |
$1.69 |
$3.38 |
|
Grade 1 to age 12 |
$0.88 |
$1.75 |
The factors determining group or family rates, are the number of children and whether the child care is in a personal residence. Other factors, such as renovating the child care space or adding additional staff, do not affect the rates.
Supporting Information
Contact information
Child Care Service Centre
Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm PT
Interpreting services are available in over 140 languages
1-888-338-6622 (option 2)