Published September 22, 2026
Child care fees are one of the largest monthly costs for a young family, and British Columbia has two provincial programs that lower them. Parents ask us about both at almost every tour, so here are the plain-language answers. Amounts and thresholds change, so treat the government links as the final word.
What is the Affordable Child Care Benefit?
The Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB) is a monthly payment from the Province of BC that helps eligible families with the cost of licensed child care. It is paid directly to the child care provider, who takes it off your invoice. You apply, the province assesses your family income, and if you qualify the provider is told how much to reduce your fee.
Who qualifies?
Eligibility is based on family net income, family size, the type of care and the reason you need care (work, school, a medical condition, or your child having a designated need are the common ones). As a general guide, families with a net income up to about $111,000 may receive some benefit, with the largest amounts going to families earning under $45,000. The provincial ACCB page has an estimator that shows what your family might receive.
How do I apply?
Applications go through the Province’s My Family Services portal. You will need:
- A BC Services Card or other government ID for each parent
- Your most recent Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (the province can also pull income directly with your consent)
- Your child’s birth certificate or other proof of age
- Proof of the reason for care, such as a letter from an employer or school
- A Child Care Arrangement Form completed by the provider
Apply before your child’s start date if you can. Approval takes a few weeks, and the Province has limits on how far back a benefit can be applied, so a late application can mean paying full fees for the first month or two.
Does it renew automatically?
No. The benefit is approved for a set period, usually up to 12 months, and you must renew it. You also need to report changes in income, address or care arrangements.
What is the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative?
This is a separate program. Under the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI), licensed providers who opt in receive provincial funding and pass it on as a flat monthly reduction on every child’s fee. Parents do not apply; the reduction simply appears on the invoice. The amount depends on the child’s age and the type of care, and it can be combined with the ACCB.
Because providers opt in, ask any centre you are considering whether it participates. It is a fair question and the answer should be a simple yes or no.
What about $10-a-Day ChildCareBC centres?
A limited number of licensed centres in BC have been funded to charge $10 a day. They are listed on the ChildCareBC $10 a Day page. Spaces are allocated by each centre, not by the province, so the waitlists are held by the individual programs.
A worked example
Suppose a family’s fee for full-day group care is $1,100 a month. If the centre participates in the fee reduction initiative, a set amount comes off first. If the family also qualifies for the ACCB, that monthly amount is applied next. The family pays only what remains. Two families at the same centre can pay very different amounts, which is why a published fee is only the starting point.
How we handle it
When you enquire with us, we will tell you our current monthly rate, whether the fee reduction applies, and walk you through the ACCB paperwork if you would like help. We would rather explain it on the phone than have you guess.
Sources: Government of British Columbia, Affordable Child Care Benefit and Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative program pages; My Family Services portal. Figures are a general guide only and are set by the Province.
