ChildCareBC Maintenance Fund: Emergency Repair Grants for Child Care Centres

ChildCareBC Maintenance Fund: Emergency Repair Grants for Child Care Centres

A burst pipe, broken furnace, or serious building damage can force a child care centre to close with little warning. The ChildCareBC Maintenance Fund helps licensed providers in British Columbia respond quickly when emergencies threaten children’s health or safety. This program gives emergency repair grants so child care spaces can reopen fast and avoid shutting down for good.

---

What the ChildCareBC Maintenance Fund Covers

The ChildCareBC Maintenance Fund is for true emergencies—not for planned upgrades or regular maintenance. It supports sudden problems that put children’s health or safety at risk or could close your centre right away.

Eligible Applicants

You can apply if you are a licensed child care provider in B.C., including:

• Not-for-profit operators:
  • Indigenous governments and not-for-profit societies
  • Local governments
  • School boards
  • Health authorities
  • Public institutions
  • Not-for-profit societies
• For-profit operators:
  • Incorporated companies
  • Limited companies
  • Sole proprietors
  • Partnerships

You must have a valid Community Care and Assisted Living Act licence when you apply.

What Counts as an Emergency

An emergency is a sudden, unexpected problem that:

• Puts children’s health or safety at risk, or
• Could close your centre right away if not fixed

Examples include major plumbing leaks, heating system failures, fire or flood damage, or unsafe building structures.

Eligible Expenses

The fund can help pay for:

• Emergency repairs to keep the centre safe
• Replacement of important items damaged or destroyed in an emergency
• Relocation costs if you must move out, either for a short time or for good, because of the emergency

The fund does not cover routine cleaning, cosmetic changes, or planned renovations.

Funding Amounts

The amount you get depends on your emergency:

• Up to $10,000 for emergency repairs or replacing items
• Up to $50,000 for relocation costs, depending on your situation and type of centre

The government reviews each case and only pays for costs directly linked to the emergency.

Intake and Timing

• The fund accepts applications all year
• The government reviews requests as emergencies happen
• Money is given out on a first-come, first-served basis, as long as there is budget left

Apply as soon as you can after the emergency for the best chance of getting help.

GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you find programs like this when you need emergency repair funding in B.C.

---

How to Apply

Applying for the ChildCareBC Maintenance Fund is a step-by-step process. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Check your eligibility. Make sure you have a valid licence and your situation is a true emergency.
2. Gather documents. Collect photos of the damage, inspection reports, quotes from contractors, and your licence details.
3. Complete the application form. Use the official form from the Government of British Columbia website.
4. Apply quickly. Submit your application as soon as possible after the emergency.
5. Wait for review. The government will contact you if they need more information.

Keeping clear records and submitting all documents with your application can speed up approval.

---

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Applying for non-emergency upgrades
   Projects like new playgrounds or energy-saving changes do not count unless they are needed because of an emergency.

2. Starting repairs before checking eligibility
   You might not get reimbursed if the work does not clearly fit the emergency rules.

3. Missing licence requirements
   An expired or wrong licence can slow down or stop your application.

4. Not giving enough proof
   Missing photos, reports, or contractor quotes can delay your funding.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What qualifies as an emergency under the ChildCareBC Maintenance Fund?
An emergency is a sudden, unexpected problem that affects children’s health or safety or could close your centre right away. Regular wear and tear does not count.

Q: How much funding can a child care provider receive?
Providers can get up to $10,000 for emergency repairs and, in some cases, up to $50,000 for relocation costs.

Q: Is the ChildCareBC Maintenance Fund first come, first served?
Yes, applications are reviewed in the order they are received, as long as there is funding. Applying quickly is important.

Q: Can for-profit child care operators apply?
Yes. Both for-profit and not-for-profit licensed providers can apply if they meet the program rules.

Q: Is Maintenance Fund funding taxable?
Funding may count as taxable income. Check with your accountant to be sure.

---

Next Steps

The ChildCareBC Maintenance Fund helps keep child care centres open when emergencies happen. GrantHub also tracks child care and facility grants across Canada, so you can find support that fits your centre’s needs.

See also:

• How to stack grants and loans without violating funding rules
• What Business Expenses Are Eligible Across Canadian Grants and Loans?