Child Care Subsidy

Transfer of Child Care Subsidy Program

As of October 2006, delivery of the Child Care Subsidy program has been transferred from the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance to the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). This transfer will improve access to the program for both parents and child care providers.

Child Care Subsidy Services will now be provided by a new Child Care Subsidy Service Centre (CCSSC). Currently, the CCSSC is accessible by phone, fax and mail. Additional access to service via the web will be provided at a later date.

In addition, expanded in-person community-based supports will be available to parents and child care providers throughout the province at:

• Child Care Resource and Referral offices,
• Immigrant Settlement Service Agencies and,
• Service BC - Government Agents offices.

Service BC – Government Agents are located in 59 communities around the province. Each office is a one-stop shop for over-the-counter government information, forms and services.

Service BC - Government Agents offices carry the Child Care Subsidy Application and Guide and will provide assistance to parents to complete the Application and Guide, photocopy and certify documents, and accept and forward the documents to the Child Care Subsidy Service Centre.

Service BC staff will also assist child care providers by accepting and forwarding documents to the Child Care Subsidy Service Centre.

Please click here for more information.

Child Care Subsidy Expansion

In September 2005, the Province increased subsidy rates for children under six in regulated care. The annual income rate to qualify for child care subsidy was increased from 21,000 to 38,000 to help more parents cover the costs of child care.

• PARENTS - A tool is available to help determine your eligibility for subsidy. Complete the on-line evaluator by clicking here.

Program Description

The Child Care Subsidy is a monthly payment that helps British Columbia families meet the costs of child care. A calculation that takes into account your income and family size determines eligibility. The Child Care Subsidy can be used to help pay for the following types of care:

• licensed, registered licence-not-required (RLNR) or licence-not-required family child care facilities;
• licensed group child care centres;
• licensed out-of-school programs;
• licensed preschool programs;
• in the child's own home.

In this section you will find information on the application process.