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Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) work in British Columbia

The government in British Columbia is starting a new plan called the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) to help parents pay less for childcare. They will give money to certain licensed childcare places to lower the amount of money parents need to pay every month.

The places that take care of kids need to ask for the money, but parents don’t need to do anything.

This new plan will begin on September 1, 2023. Families with kids aged 12 and under who go to a childcare place that is part of the CCFRI will pay less money.

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Who is the in-charge of this plan?

The Ministry of Education is in charge of making the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) work in British Columbia. They’re working together with another part of the government called the Ministry of Children and Family Development to make sure the plan works well.

The Ministry of Education is responsible for:

  • Making the rules and plans for the CCFRI.
  • Talking to the places that take care of kids and families about the CCFRI.
  • Looking at applications from the places that take care of kids to get the money from the CCFRI.
  • Watching to see if the CCFRI is working and changing things if needed.


The Ministry of Children and Family Development is responsible for:

  • Helping the places that take care of kids to switch to the CCFRI.
  • Making sure families know about the CCFRI and how to use it.
  • Checking to make sure the places that take care of kids in the CCFRI are doing a good job.
  • The CCFRI is a big plan, and the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Children and Family Development are working together to make sure it works well.

How will this plan help parents save money?

The Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) will help parents in British Columbia save money in different ways:

Less money each month: Families with kids aged 12 and under who go to a childcare place in the CCFRI will have to pay less money. Starting from September 1, 2023, here are the new amounts:

  • $95 a month for preschool.
  • $115 a month for group care for kids in Grades 1 to age 12.
  • $145 a month for family and in-home care for kids in Grades 1 to age 12.

These new amounts are much lower than what parents usually pay for childcare in British Columbia. For example, parents usually pay around $1,200 every month for preschool care, but with the CCFRI, they will only need to pay $95 per month. This means they’ll save $205 every month.

More help with money: Families with lower incomes might also get more help with money through the Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB). This can give families up to $1,250 each month for each child to help pay for childcare.

Easier to afford different kinds of childcare: The CCFRI will make it easier for families to use different kinds of childcare. Some families might be able to send their kids to a licensed childcare center now, which they couldn’t do before because it was too expensive. This gives families more choices and makes it easier to get childcare.

The CCFRI is a big step to make childcare more affordable for families in British Columbia. The ways parents save money will help families pay for childcare and help parents keep working.

How can a childcare place apply for this plan?

Childcare places can apply for the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) by doing these steps:

  1. Go to the CCFRI website: Start by visiting the CCFRI website to learn more about the plan. The website has lots of information about who can apply, how to do it, and answers to common questions.
  2. Read the CCFRI rules: The CCFRI rules explain who can apply, how to do it, and what money you can get. It’s important to read these rules carefully before applying.
  3. Fill out the CCFRI application form: You can find the application form on the CCFRI website. It asks for details about your childcare place, like how many kids you have and what fees you charge.
  4. Send in the form: After you finish the application form, you can send it online or by mail. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2023.
  5. Wait for approval: The Ministry of Education will look at your application. If they approve it, they will let you know, and you can start getting money from the CCFRI.

If your childcare place gets approved, you will need to:

  • Lower the fees for parents to the amounts set by the CCFRI.
  • Not charge parents more than the CCFRI fees without permission from the Ministry of Education.
  • Give good care to the kids.
  • Follow the other CCFRI rules.
  • The CCFRI is a good chance for childcare places to lower fees and make childcare more affordable for families in British Columbia. If you run a childcare place, you should think about applying for the CCFRI.

Which childcare places can join this plan, and which can’t?

To be part of the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) in British Columbia, a childcare place needs to meet these rules:

Have a license from the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Offer one of these types of childcare:

  • Taking care of babies and toddlers in a group (under 36 months).
  • Taking care of babies and toddlers in a family setting (under 36 months).
  • Taking care of kids aged 3 to kindergarten in a group.
  • Taking care of kids aged 3 to kindergarten in a family setting.
  • Taking care of kindergarten kids in a group or family setting.
  • Taking care of kids from Grade 1 to age 12 in a group or family setting.
  • Being a licensed preschool.
  • Be in British Columbia.
  • Be able to lower parent fees to match the CCFRI rates.
  • Give good care to the kids.
  • Follow the other CCFRI rules.

Childcare places that don’t meet these rules for the CCFRI might still be able to get money from other government programs, like the Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB). The ACCB can give families up to $1,250 each month for each child to help with childcare costs.

Here are some examples of childcare places that can join the CCFRI:

  • Licensed childcare centers
  • Family childcare homes
  • Indigenous childcare programs
  • Non-profit childcare programs
  • Publicly funded childcare programs

Here are some examples of childcare places that can’t join the CCFRI:

  • Childcare places without a license
  • Childcare places that don’t offer the types of childcare listed above
  • Childcare places outside of British Columbia
  • Childcare places that can’t lower fees to the CCFRI rates
  • Childcare places that don’t give good care to the kids

If you’re not sure if your childcare place can join the CCFRI, you can get more information here.

Cities are covered under this scheme

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