Child Care Operating Funding
Last updated on June 3, 2026In July 2026, MyChildCareBC Services will be updated to a single, streamlined online platform where child care providers can manage Child Care Operating Funding, the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative, and ECE Wage Enhancement services in one place. This enhanced platform will replace the Child Care Web Application and the ECE-Wage Enhancement Reporting Tool.
Please continue to visit this page for the most up‑to‑date information, including important timelines and instructions.
Child Care Operating Funding supports eligible licensed providers through:
This funding helps providers cover day-to-day operating costs, reduce fees for families and enhance wages for early childhood educators.
On this page
Participating in the operating funding, fee reduction and wage enhancement programs is optional. To opt in to the fee reduction and wage enhancement programs, providers must be approved for base funding.
Information for 2026-27
Starting in January 2026, child care providers may renew their Child Care Operating Funding. Please see the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative funding guidelines and Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement funding guidelines for 2026-27 to learn more and to opt in to each program
This year, there are no major changes to base operating funding or the wage enhancement program. However, there are several policy shifts for the fee reduction program, including:
- As of April 1, 2026, child care providers in the fee reduction program may only charge optional fees for extended hours after offering a minimum of 9.5 hours of service in a day during their regular hours of operation
- Providers leaving the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program to join the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative need to meet specific conditions. They are expected to maintain comparable hours of operation and services for families and cannot introduce optional fees for previously included services. In addition, providers must maintain existing wages, benefits and hours of employment for staff
- To avoid gaps in funding, applicants to the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program should renew their Child Care Operating Funding agreements while waiting for a decision on their $10-a-day program application
- A streamlined pathway for school board-operated child care programs to set fees that help recover reasonable costs to operate child care on school grounds. This aligns with recent changes to enable school districts in B.C. to support families with more child care on school grounds
Child care providers joining the fee reduction program must start with fees that reflect typical rates in their region. Providers already in the fee reduction program can raise their fees by up to 3% of the regional median fee, or higher in limited cases
The affordability benchmarks for new child care centres will remain at the regional 80th percentile for children under 36 months, and at the 75th percentile for all other child care categories
In addition to the 3% fee increase, providers receive base funding, fee reductions for families, provider payments and wage enhancements for their staff
To learn more, check the fee reduction or wage enhancement guidelines. Important timelines and additional information is available on the operating funding web page. If you have questions or need support, call the Child Care Service Centre at 1-888-338-6622 (press 2), Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Eligibility requirements
Base Funding
Base Funding assists with the day to day costs of running a licensed child care facility. This funding helps child care providers maintain quality child care for the community.
Eligibility
Base Funding is available to licensed Family and Group child care providers.
Read more about Base Funding.
Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative
The Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative enhances child care affordability 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 fee reduction funding when they apply for operating funding.
Read more about the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative.
Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement
As part of British Columbia’s Early Care and Learning Recruitment and Retention Strategy, early childhood educators working in eligible licensed child care centres may receive up to a $6 per hour wage enhancement.
Child care providers who receive base funding and have opted in to the fee reduction program can apply for the wage enhancement.
Read more about the Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement.
Reporting on ChildCareBC
View B.C. Child Care Data and Reports for ChildCareBC programs across the province.
Supporting information
Contact information
Child Care Service Centre
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT
Interpreting services are available in over 140 languages
1-888-338-6622 (Option 2)