What daycare costs in BC in 2026: fee reduction, $10 a Day and the Affordable Child Care Benefit

6 min read · facts checked Oct 19, 2026

Child care fees in Metro Vancouver vary widely from program to program. What you actually pay depends mostly on three provincial programs. Here's how each one works, using the province's figures for the 2026-27 funding year.

1. The Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI)

Most licensed programs in BC take part in fee reduction. The program receives funding from the province and lowers the fee it charges you by a set amount each month. You don't apply; it's applied automatically on your bill if your program takes part. For full-time care, the 2026-27 maximum monthly reductions are:

• Infants and toddlers (under 3) in group care: up to $900 a month
• Infants and toddlers in licensed family or in-home care: up to $600 a month
• 3 years to kindergarten in group care: up to $545 a month
• 3 years to kindergarten in family or in-home care: up to $500 a month
• Preschool (part-day): up to $95 a month

These are maximums. Part-time care gets a smaller, pro-rated reduction. Every program page on Daycare Discoverer shows whether that program takes part in fee reduction.

2. $10 a Day ChildCareBC sites

$10 a Day sites charge families about $10 a day for full-time care, roughly $200 a month. There are far fewer of them than regular programs, and their waitlists tend to be long, so they're worth applying to but rarely worth relying on alone. The province keeps the current list of $10 a Day sites.

3. The Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB)

The Affordable Child Care Benefit is a monthly payment to eligible families, on top of any fee reduction. According to the province, families earning up to $111,000 generally may qualify, and the amount depends on income, family size and the type of care. You need a qualifying reason for care, such as working, studying or looking for work. Parental leave doesn't count. You apply through the province and renew every year.

Tip: Apply for the ACCB before the end of the month your child starts care. The province asks for applications by then, and payments don't usually reach back further.

Putting it together

A typical Vancouver infant space at a program taking part in fee reduction costs a family far less than its posted fee, and an eligible family may receive the ACCB on top. When you compare programs, ask each one for its fee after the reduction, and check what's included: meals, diapers and supplies differ.