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Rates and understanding payments

Last updated on December 13, 2024

Affordable Child Care Benefit rates

Affordable Child Care Benefit rates are based on the class of child care provided.

The maximum funding amounts, listed below, start on the first day of the month. They are based on the age of the child.

School age means the child will have reached age 5 on or before December 31 of that school year.

If your child is school age but is not enrolled in school you may be eligible for full day rates for the type of care. Include this information in your application or contact the Child Care Service Centre.

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Licensed child care

Licensed child care providers are monitored and regularly inspected by regional health authorities and meet specific requirements.
Class of child care

Age of child

 Care code

Maximum benefit per month
Group Child Care, Multi-Age Child Care, or School Age Care on School Grounds

child under 19 months

 G1

$1,250

child 19 months or over but under 37 months

 G2

$1,060

child 37 months or over but who has not reached school age

 G3

$550

child of school age

 G4

$415
Family Child Care or In-Home Multi-Age Child Care

child under 19 months

 J1

$1,000

child 19 months or over but under 37 months

 J2

$1,000

child 37 months or over but who has not reached school age

 J3

$550

child of school age

 J4

$415
Licensed preschool program

child 29 months or over but who has not reached school age or who has reached school age but who is not enrolled in school

 N1

$225
Care surrounding a school day (children enrolled in school)

child of school age

 L2 $210
 

Registered licence-not-required child care

These are unlicensed care providers. They must have registered with a Child Care Resource and Referral Centre.

Class of child care

 Age of child Care code

Maximum benefit per month
Care surrounding a school day (children enrolled in school)

child of school age

 L2

$210
Child care, other than care surrounding a school day

child under 19 months

 R1

$600

child 19 months or over but under 37 months

 R2

$600

child 37 months or over but who has not reached school age

 R3

$550

child of school age

 R4

$415
 

Licence-not-required child care

These child care providers can operate legally in B.C. They are not registered, licensed, monitored or inspected. And they do not have to meet health and safety standards. 

Class of child care

 Age of child Care code

Maximum benefit per month

Care surrounding a school day (children enrolled in school)

 child of school age L2

$210

Child care, other than care surrounding a school day

 child under 19 months F1

$438

child 19 months or over but under 37 months

 F2 $404

child 37 months or over

 F3 $354
 

Child care in the child's home

This is unlicensed care, arranged at the child’s home. For example, a nanny or a baby-sitter. Kids from other families can’t be included in this care. The care provider can’t be a relative who lives in the home.

Class of child care

 Age of child Care code

Maximum benefit per month

Care surrounding a school day (children enrolled in school)

 1st child of school age unless another child in the family unit, who has not reached school age, is in care code H1 or H2 L2

$210
1st child of school age if another child in the family unit, who has not reached school age, is in care code H1 or H2 H4

$147
2nd child, unless the child is under 19 months H4

$147
each child in addition to the 1st or 2nd child, as applicable H4

$147
Child care, other than care surrounding a school day 1st child under 19 months H1

$394

1st child 19 months or over

 H2

$318

2nd child under 19 months

 H3

$198

2nd child, unless the child is under 19 months

 H4

$147

each child in addition to the 1st or 2nd child, as applicable

 H4

$147

 

Affordable Child Care Benefit payments

Starting December 7, parents and providers can submit full day claim forms for children enrolled in school for winter break to help ensure timely payments. Due to mail disruptions, we recommend cheque recipients submit a direct deposit form to ccdda@gov.bc.ca. 

Once your application is approved, both the parent or guardian and the child care provider will receive a benefit plan. The plan includes the benefit amount with the start and end dates.

In most cases, the child care provider receives the payment after they submit a monthly claim form. If child care is provided in the child's home, parents or guardians submit the claim form and pay the child care provider. Parents eligible for the Affordable Child Care Benefit for child care that is provided in the child’s home are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit to minimize delays and lost or stolen cheques.

Parents or guardians pay the balance of the child care provider's fee after the benefit amount is deducted.

Absences and vacations

The Affordable Child Care Benefit is only paid for child care provided.
 
If the child is absent due to vacation, the parent or guardian receives the benefit for up to two weeks in one month. This cannot exceed more than four weeks in one calendar year.
 
If the child is absent due to child or parent illness, the parent or guardian receives the benefit for up to two weeks in one month.
 
Accurate attendance records are necessary and subject to audit.

Withdrawals

If a child attends some days during a month, but withdraws before the end of the month and their space is not filled:

  • You may be eligible to receive:
    • The full authorized monthly benefit amount if the child attended for half of the month or more
    • Half of the authorized monthly benefit amount if the child attended less than half of the month

*Note: This rule is different for the Young Parent Program.

Benefit adjustments for care surrounding a school day

Rates for care surrounding a school day apply for all days school is in session, in line with the School Calendar Regulation. This also includes the following statutory holidays:

  • Family Day
  • Good Friday
  • Easter Monday
  • Victoria Day
  • Labour Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Remembrance Day

Days in session are based on the school calendar year. It includes the days that principals, vice principals, directors of instruction and teachers are available for instruction, non-instruction or administrative activities. For these days, increases can be requested from half days of care to full days of care at the care surrounding school day rate. This also applies to other days during the school year, such as child illness, professional development and unplanned school closures.

For winter, spring and summer breaks, and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:

  • The care surrounding school day rate can be increased to the applicable children of school age rate

Use the forms below to request adjustments. Families and providers may submit forms after the 25th of the month being claimed.