BC Childcare Subsidy Programs
BC Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI)
The Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) is a provincial program that lowers the cost of licensed childcare. As an eligible provider, NINI Early Learning participates in this initiative, which can reduce tuition fees by up to $900 per child each month. Families do not need to apply — once your child is enrolled at NINI, the savings are applied automatically.
Learn More About the CCFRI ProgramFee Reduction Amounts (CCFRI)
Through the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI), families automatically receive savings on monthly tuition when enrolled in participating licensed providers like NINI Early Learning. The reduction is applied directly to your childcare fees, lowering costs without requiring a separate application.
Savings Calculations
- Care Category
- Group Child Care
- Family/In-Home Child Care
- Infant (0 – 18 months)
- $900
- $600
- Toddler (18 – 36 months)
- $900
- $600
- 3 Years to Kindergarten
- $545
- $500
- Kindergarten
- $320
- $320
- Grade 1 to Age 12¹
- $100
- $220
- Preschool
- $95
- N/A
BC Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB)
The Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB) is a provincially funded program that provides direct financial support to families to help cover childcare costs. The benefit amount is based on family income, the number of children, and the type of care. Families with a household income of up to $111,000 may qualify for monthly support of up to $1,250 per child. Unlike CCFRI, parents must apply directly through the Government of BC and renew their application each year.
Learn More About the ACCB ProgramSavings Calculations
- Group child care / multi-age child care
- Maximum monthly funding
- Children under 19 months
- $1,250
- Children 19 months and over but under 37 months
- $1,060
- Children 37 months and over but who have not reached school age
- $550
- Family child care / in-home multi-age child care
- Children under 19 months
- $1,250
- Children 19 months and over but under 37 months
- $1,000
- Children 37 months and over but who have not reached school age
- $550
- Children of school age
- $415
- Other
- Preschool (children 30 months and over but who have not reached school age)
- $225
- Care surrounding school day (children of school age)
- $210
Eligibility
Families must meet specific criteria to qualify for the Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB). Eligibility is determined by factors such as residency, type of care, reason for requiring childcare, household income, and application timing.
- Residency and status in Canada: A parent or guardian must be a BC resident and meet one of the following: Canadian citizen, permanent resident, Convention refugee, or person in need of protection.
- Type of care: Most types of licensed child care are eligible. Non-licensed care by a family member in the same household is not eligible.
- Qualifying reason for childcare: Parents must demonstrate a reason such as working, attending school, participating in an employment program, looking for work, living with a medical condition that interferes with caregiving, or having a child enrolled in a licensed preschool.
- Income: Generally, families with a household income up to $111,000 may qualify for funding. The actual benefit is calculated based on income, family size, and type of care.
- Application date: Families must apply before the end of the month in which childcare is needed and must reapply each year.
Available Funding
Funding is influenced by the number of children in your household, as well as whether any of them have a designated special need.
Children who have a designated special need and require extra support may qualify for an additional $150 per month to help cover the cost of child care. The total amount of the Affordable Child Care Benefit plus the special needs supplement cannot be more than the actual child care fee charged. If the combined amount is higher, the supplement will be adjusted so it matches the provider’s rate.
The type of licensed child care program and your child’s age determine the level of funding your family may receive.
The number of days your child attends care each month may also affect the total amount of funding. If care is needed for fewer than 20 days per month, funding is prorated accordingly.
To apply for the Affordable Child Care Benefit, families must consent to share income information from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This includes both parents’ or guardians’ income details, even if one has not filed taxes in the past two years. In those cases, an Income Declaration Form for the previous calendar year is required. Families must update their information whenever income changes. Some families may be exempt from income testing if they are caring for a child through a Ministry of Children and Family Development placement.
Note: All applicants must have a selected licensed child care provider and complete a child care arrangement form as part of the application process.
