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Source verified August 19, 2026
Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI)
Support for licensed child care fee reductions
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Latest source updateLast Update: August 18, 2026Latest change: The provider guidance now adds new post-approval obligations, updated payment-rate categories, and revised instructions for renewals and reporting.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: August 18, 2026
Latest change: The provider guidance now adds new post-approval obligations, updated payment-rate categories, and revised instructions for renewals and reporting.
CCFRI provider rules and rates updated
The Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative provider guidance now requires providers to calculate each child’s fee reduction using Schedule C, give written family and staff notices, keep fees at ministry-approved amounts, and obtain ministry approval before any fee increase. The payment-rate table was also revised to show updated care categories and monthly maximums, including separate entries for under 36 months, age 3 years to kindergarten, kindergarten, grade 1 to age 12, and preschool. The related operating-funding application page now says a funding agreement can start or end on any date in the term, including partial months, and it expands the renewal and reporting instructions to use My ChildCareBC Services and monthly enrolment or early childhood educator reports. It also updates the supporting guidance references and clarifies the contact path through the Child Care Service Centre and audit unit.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Overview
The Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative supports eligible licensed child care providers in British Columbia to reduce and stabilize monthly parent fees. Participating centres may receive monthly provider payments and fee reductions for families, with annual fee increase limits based on 3% of the regional median fee and exceptional increases assessed in limited cases.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Ensure financial sustainability
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Reducing and stabilizing monthly child care fees for families.
Documents Needed
- Primary business BCeID
- A scanned copy or photograph of the Community Care and Assisted Living Act licence for each centre
- Full-time parent fees for the funding agreement term
- Parent fees from the previous 12 months for new applicants to the fee reduction program
- Centre closure dates, if the centre charges child care fees while closed, excluding statutory holidays
Official resources
Program guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Eligible licensed child care providers.
Eligible expenses
- Operational costs, including staff wages and administration.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Regular or temporary fluctuations in operating costs, such as rent, fuel, food, benefits, WorkSafeBC or employer health tax
- Expenses from individuals not at arm's length
- Costs due to expansion of licensed spaces
- Program materials and facility costs, such as art supplies, toys, books, small appliances, office equipment, textiles, security systems, gardening supplies and electronics
- Lost revenue from removal of waitlist fees or removal of optional fees for the first 9.5 hours of care per day
Eligible geographic areas
- CCFRI regional zones: Fraser Valley, Kootenay-Boundary, Metro, Northern, Thompson-Okanagan and Vancouver Island.
Selection criteria
- Exceptional fee increase requests are assessed case by case under the Parent Fee Increase Exceptions Policy.
- At least one eligible exception must apply.
- The provider must submit sufficient evidence of the related expense and show that other ChildCareBC and ministry funding has been exhausted.
- The fee increase must be proportional to the expense, amortized over at least 12 months, and within the maximum exceptional fee increase amount unless otherwise approved.
How to apply
- Use My ChildCareBC Services to apply for or renew Child Care Operating Funding and opt into the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative.
Processing and Agreement
- After the Program Confirmation Form is submitted, the ministry reviews and assesses the information using eligibility criteria for each funding area.
- Providers may be contacted to make corrections or provide more information, and separate notifications are sent for base funding, fee reductions and wage enhancements.
- If approved, providers receive an email that their funding agreement is active.
- Providers approved for fee reductions must notify parents in writing of participation, the fee reduction amount and any ministry-approved fee increase.
Additional information
- Participation in the fee reduction program is optional.
Contacts
Availability timeline
2026
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) Program
What is the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI)?
The Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative supports eligible licensed child care providers in British Columbia to reduce and stabilize monthly parent fees. Participating centres may receive monthly provider payments and fee reductions for families, with annual fee increase limits based on 3% of the regional median fee and exceptional increases assessed in limited cases.
Who is eligible for the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) program?
To be eligible for the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) program, you must:
The centre must have a Child Care Operating Funding agreement in place.
The centre must enrol all eligible care categories under the same licence.
The centre must offer care in at least one eligible category.
What expenses are eligible under Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI)?
Reducing and stabilizing monthly child care fees for families.
Who can I contact for more information about the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI)?
You can contact Government of British Columbia (BC) or by phone at 1-888-338-6622 (Option 2).
Where is the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) available?
The Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI)?
Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) is funded by Government of British Columbia (BC)