3.1 Overview of Funding Programs in BC

The British Columbia government offers a range of child care funding programs to support families, providers, and the overall child care system. 

Key funding initiatives include the Child Care Operating Fund (CCOF), which provides monthly payments to licensed childcare providers to help lower operational costs, and the Fee Reduction Initiative (FRI), which enables centres to reduce fees for families. Additional funding streams, such as the Wage Enhancement Fund, support competitive wages for early childhood educators, while the Supportive Child Development Program offers funding for children requiring extra support. Capital funding, including New Spaces Fund, helps expand childcare availability by supporting the creation of new spaces. The $10-a-Day program is an initiative that offers affordable childcare by capping fees at $10 per day in participating centres.

References

Government of British Columbia. (n.d.). $10-a-day ChildCareBC Centres. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/caring-for-young-children/childcarebc-programs/10-a-day-childcarebc-centres

Government of British Columbia. (2025, January 31). Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative – Provider opt-in status. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/caring-for-young-children/childcarebc-programs/child-care-fee-reduction-initiative-provider-opt-in-status

Government of British Columbia. (2025, January 31). Child Care Operating Funding. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/caring-for-young-children/childcarebc-programs/child-care-operating-funding