Child care costs in British Columbia (2026)
Rules verified against official sources on 2026-07-05. Figures below are computed by the same engine as our cost calculator.
British Columbia reduces fees two ways. The Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) is automatic at participating providers: for the 2026-27 funding year it takes up to $900/month off group infant and toddler care, $545 for ages three to kindergarten, $320 for kindergarten, and $115 for school-age (family child care amounts differ), with parent out-of-pocket never reduced below $200/month full-time. Designated $10 a Day ChildCareBC sites cap fees at $200/month outright, with no income test.
The Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB) stacks on top for families who apply: full benefit up to $45,000 of adjusted annual income, phasing to zero at $111,000 (B.C. Reg. 189/2024, unchanged since September 2024). Maximums run to $1,250/month for group infant care. For school-age children, before-and-after-school care has its own lower maximum ($210/month) than full-day care.
What full-time care typically costs in British Columbia
Monthly figures at a typical (median) provider fee, full-time centre care, before any income-tested subsidy. Universal programs (fee caps, automatic reductions) are applied; income-tested help can lower these further.
| Age group | Typical provider fee | What parents pay | Applied program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | $1,848/mo | $948/mo | CCFRI fee reduction (automatic) |
| Toddler | $1,785/mo | $885/mo | CCFRI fee reduction (automatic) |
| Preschool | $1,260/mo | $715/mo | CCFRI fee reduction (automatic) |
Typical fees are market medians; your provider's fee may differ. Use the calculator for your own income and situation.
Common questions
Is BC child care $10 a day?
Only at designated $10 a Day ChildCareBC sites, where full-time care costs at most $200/month with no income test. Everywhere else, CCFRI reductions apply automatically and the income-tested ACCB can reduce costs further — to $0 for lower-income families.
What income qualifies for BC's Affordable Child Care Benefit in 2026?
Full benefit up to $45,000 of ACCB adjusted annual income, partial benefit phasing to zero at $111,000. The thresholds have been unchanged since September 2024.
Official sources
- https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/family-and-social-supports/child-care/childcarebc-programs/ccfri/ccfri_funding_guidelines_26_27.pdf
- https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/189_2024
- https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/caring-for-young-children/childcarebc-programs/child-care-benefit/information-for-families/rates-payments
Estimate your own cost in British Columbia
The MapleCub calculator applies these rules to your income, hours, and child's age — including income-tested subsidies not shown in the table above.
Open the cost calculator →