Childcare Enhancement Grant program

• The maximum grant amount is $27,000 per qualifying program, with a limit of three programs per organization.
• Grant allocations are calculated according to the type of care provided and the total number of full-time licensed spaces, using a Full Time Equivalent Space (FTES) measure.
• This funding is awarded on an annual basis with no guarantee of renewal for subsequent years.

• The applicant must be a registered non-profit society, community service co-op, or social enterprise wholly owned by a non-profit and in good standing with the Registrar of Companies, or a registered charity in good standing with the Canadian Revenue Agency.
• The organization must have an independent, active volunteer governing body with bylaws prohibiting remuneration for board directors and disallowing staff members from voting on the board or executive.
• The applicant must deliver licensed childcare, preschool, school-aged care, or occasional childcare programs primarily serving high-need or vulnerable families in Vancouver.
• The childcare program must hold a current license issued by Community Care Facilities Licensing, Vancouver Coastal Health.
• The organization must operate in accordance with inclusivity and non-discrimination policies, and be in compliance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the British Columbia Human Rights Code.

Who is eligible?

• Registered non-profit societies
• Community service co-operatives
• Social enterprises wholly owned by non-profits
• Registered charities

Who is not eligible

• For-profit businesses or individuals (only non-profit organizations, registered charities, or community service co-ops are eligible).
• Organizations not licensed to provide group childcare, preschool, school-aged care, or occasional childcare programs.
• Organizations not primarily serving high-need or vulnerable families in Vancouver.
• Organizations proposing to use funds for capital expenditures.
• Organizations that do not deliver programs in Vancouver for Vancouver residents.

Eligible expenses

• Reducing parent fees to make childcare more affordable for families.
• Implementing and supporting food supplement programs, such as providing hot lunches and breakfasts.
• Enhancing staff-to-child ratios to better serve children needing specialized support.
• Strengthening coordinated administration of childcare programs through a community hub model.

Eligible geographic areas

• Organizations delivering programs in Vancouver to Vancouver residents.

• Degree to which the program serves high-need, vulnerable populations or neighbourhoods, as demonstrated by actual enrolment figures and relevant demographic thresholds.
• Alignment of program objectives with the grant's focus areas, such as reducing parent fees for low and modest income families, providing food supplement programs, strengthening coordinated administration, and enhancing staff ratios for specialized support.
• Demonstration of need for funding through clear program budgets and financial statements.
• Compliance with allowable childcare fee schedules and alignment with provincial Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative guidelines.
• Number and type of licensed childcare spaces provided, as measured by the Full Time Equivalent Space (FTES) formula.

• The grant is awarded on an annual basis; organizations must reapply each year for continued funding.
• Maximum grant funding is $27,000 per qualifying program, with a limit of three programs per organization.
• Organizations must supply a snapshot of actual enrollment in March 2025 for each program seeking funding.
• If an organization's contact information has changed since the previous year, it must be updated to ensure receipt of application instructions.