$10 a Day ChildCareBC Centres
Last updated on February 19, 2026The $10 a Day ChildCareBC program is one of the ways the province is making child care more affordable for families in B.C.
Combined with additional ChildCareBC programs, such as the Affordable Child Care Benefit, some families may pay little to nothing at all for their child care.
On this page
$10 a Day ChildCareBC program expansion
Look for future updates regarding Child Care affordability initiatives in the ChildCareBC Bulletin.
Information for families
Access to $10-a-day child care
Access to an approved $10 a Day ChildCareBC Centre is based on each location’s licensed capacity and waitlist.
Most providers are independent businesses and those in the $10-a-day program have chosen to participate in it. Program providers must operate under the funding model indicated by their funding agreement and can voluntarily leave the program anytime. So far, only one provider has withdrawn from the program.
If a provider leaves the program, families using the centre also return to the centre’s previous business model.
Families looking for affordable child care can visit:
• Local Child Care Resource and Referral Centres
• The $10 a Day ChildCareBC Centre web page
Your local Child Care Resource and Referral Centre can help you with information and resources for obtaining child care based on your needs.
You may also be eligible for support through the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative and the Affordable Child Care Benefit. The Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative web page has a list of participating providers.
Direct enrolment into the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program
Child care providers have already applied to become $10 a Day ChildCareBC Centre. Families do not need to apply.
Waitlist changes if provider joins the program
Child care waitlists are kept and managed by individual child care providers, so it is best to contact them directly to find out how they manage spots and enrolment.
It is a good idea to reach out to your local preferred child care provider to learn how their waitlists work, and how they fill openings.
Your local Child Care Resource and Referral Centre also has information and resources to help you find child care in your community.
Enrollment forms
Families do not need to send paperwork to the ministry, but your child care provider may have forms that need to be filled out.
Households that earn up to $111,000 may be able to have their fees further reduced by applying for the Affordable Child Care Benefit.
Information for child care providers
The $10 a Day ChildCareBC program offers enhanced, stable operating funding to providers while making full-time child care more affordable for families.
Early Childhood Educator grants, bursaries or programs
Information about education and training, certification and bursaries are available on the Support for Early Childhood Educators web page. Educators who are specifically interested in working at a $10 a Day ChildCareBC Centre will need to apply directly at participating centres.
Additional program information
Contact information
For questions about the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program, please contact us at the phone number below.
1-888-338-6622 (Option 7)
childcarebc.engagement@gov.bc.ca