Operating Grant Program

For child care operators in Newfoundland and Labrador, balancing affordability for families with the rising costs of running a centre can be a constant challenge. The Operating Grant Program is designed to ease that pressure by helping regulated child care centres and family child care homes lower their daily parent fees while receiving operating support to offset business expenses. As part of the province’s participation in the Canada-wide early learning and child care framework, the program plays a central role in making licensed child care more accessible across the province.

By participating, eligible operators agree to reduce their daily rates for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and full-day school-age children to the province’s $10-a-day model. In return, the program provides a variable, non-repayable operating grant that contributes toward ongoing costs such as staffing, administration, and day-to-day operations. Funding levels are not one-size-fits-all and are adjusted based on the size and structure of the service, making the program relevant to both larger child care centres and smaller family-based providers.

The Operating Grant Program is currently ongoing and is most relevant for licensed child care businesses that want predictable operating support while remaining affordable for families. For operators considering enrollment or renewal, understanding how funding is calculated, what commitments are required, and how it fits with other early learning supports is key to deciding if this program is the right fit for your child care business.