Running a licensed child care or daycare in B.C. is expensive. Staffing, rent, food, and safety requirements add up quickly. Child care and daycare funding eligibility in British Columbia depends mainly on whether your program is licensed, operating, and in good standing with the province. Your profit level or years in business do not affect eligibility. The main program most providers rely on is Child Care Operating Funding from the Province of British Columbia.
Child Care Operating Funding (CCOF) is ongoing provincial support that helps licensed child care providers cover their regular operating costs. It is not a one-time grant. The province issues payments every month to help stabilize child care services across B.C.
Program name: Child Care Operating Funding
Funder: Government of British Columbia
Status: Open
To meet child care and daycare funding eligibility in British Columbia under CCOF, your business must meet all of the following requirements:
Both for-profit and not-for-profit licensed providers can qualify. Sole proprietors, incorporated businesses, and societies are all eligible if they are licensed.
Child Care Operating Funding is flexible. It supports ongoing operating expenses, such as:
Funding amounts depend on:
There is no single flat dollar amount per provider.
When you are approved for base Child Care Operating Funding, you may also become eligible to join:
Approval for base funding is required before you can access these extra programs.
GrantHub’s eligibility matcher helps you filter child care programs by province, licence type, and operating model in seconds.
While CCOF covers ongoing costs, other programs help with special situations or emergencies.
This fund supports emergency and unexpected repairs that affect health and safety or could force your facility to close.
Eligible applicants include:
What it can cover:
This fund does not cover routine maintenance or upgrades.
Applying before your licence is active
You must be fully licensed and open. Applications sent during the licensing process are not eligible.
Skipping the annual Provider Profile Survey
If you do not complete this survey, your operating funding can be delayed or stopped.
Assuming funding is automatic
Child Care Operating Funding requires an application and approval. It does not start by default.
Not serving Affordable Child Care Benefit families
You must agree to serve families using this benefit to receive funding.
Q: Is Child Care Operating Funding taxable income?
Yes. Operating funding is generally considered business income. You should confirm how it applies to your situation with an accountant.
Q: Can new child care centres apply for Child Care Operating Funding?
Yes, once you are licensed, open, and providing care. New providers cannot apply before operations begin.
Q: Is Child Care Operating Funding a one-time grant?
No. It is ongoing funding with monthly payments, as long as you remain eligible and compliant.
Q: Do I have to participate in the Affordable Child Care Benefit program?
Yes. You must agree to provide services to families receiving the Affordable Child Care Benefit to receive operating funding.
Q: Can family child care providers qualify?
Yes. Licensed family child care providers are eligible if all program conditions are met.
Child care and daycare funding eligibility in British Columbia depends on your licensing status and ongoing compliance—not your business size or revenue. GrantHub tracks child care and early learning funding programs across Canada and helps you see which ones match your licence type, location, and operating model. If you want to find more grants for child care providers, GrantHub can help you save time and avoid missing out.
See also:
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