Estimates only, not an eligibility decision. CCFRI amounts assume your centre opted in (most licensed centres have). The Affordable Child Care Benefit is income-tested and depends on your full circumstances — confirm your amount and apply at gov.bc.ca/affordablechildcarebenefit.
How BC childcare subsidies stack
BC has three layers of help, and they combine. CCFRI (the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative) lowers your fee automatically at a participating centre — you don't apply, the savings just show up. The Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB) is income-tested (household income up to about $111,000), you apply and renew yearly, and it stacks on top of CCFRI — for lower incomes it can bring your fee close to $0. At $10-a-day (CWELCC) sites, your fee is capped at about $200/month ($10/day) for full-time care.
CCFRI maximum monthly fee reductions (2025–26)
| Age category | Group / centre | Family / in-home |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (0–18 months) | $900 | $600 |
| Toddler (18–36 months) | $900 | $600 |
| 3 years to Kindergarten | $545 | $500 |
| Kindergarten | $320 | $320 |
| Grade 1 to age 12 | $115 | $145 |
| Preschool (part-day) | $95 | — |
Full-time amounts; CCFRI won't reduce a fee below $200/month ($10/day), or $140/month for preschool. Source: BC Ministry of Education and Child Care, CCFRI Funding Guidelines 2025–26.
How to apply (the steps)
- CCFRI — nothing to do. Ask your centre if they're a CCFRI participant (most are). If so, the reduction is already on your invoice.
- Affordable Child Care Benefit — apply online. Use My Family Services (here's our step-by-step ACCB guide). Have your SIN, your CRA Notice of Assessment, your child's birth certificate and your banking details ready.
- Complete the Child Care Arrangement form (CF2798) with your provider. It needs both your details and the provider's — and the provider's signature. Use our free CF2798 helper to fill it in, then submit the official form with your application.
- Renew every year. The ACCB lapses annually — diarize it so your reduction doesn't stop.
Looking for a centre with space? Browse our free BC childcare boards — many list whether they take CCFRI/subsidy. Running a daycare? Mitten tracks each child's CCFRI/ACCB and nets it off invoices automatically, and generates the CF2798 for your families — free for your first 5 children.
Run your daycare on Mitten — free to start
Mitten does everything in this guide — daily reports, photos, messaging, billing, even payroll prep — free for your first 5 children, then just $20/mo + $2 per child.
Start free — no card needed → See the live demoFrequently asked questions
- How much is the CCFRI fee reduction in BC?
- For 2025–26, the maximum monthly reduction at participating centres is $900 for infants and toddlers (under 36 months), $545 for 3-years-to-Kindergarten, $320 for Kindergarten, $115 for Grade 1 to age 12, and $95 for preschool (group/centre rates; family/in-home rates differ). Fees are never reduced below $200/month ($10/day).
- What is the income limit for the Affordable Child Care Benefit?
- Families with household income up to roughly $111,000 may qualify; the amount is income-tested and also depends on family size, the child’s age and the type of care. You apply and renew every year through My Family Services.
- Do I have to apply for CCFRI?
- No — families don’t apply for CCFRI. The child care provider opts the facility in, and the savings are passed to you automatically each month as a reduced fee. The Affordable Child Care Benefit is the one you apply for yourself.
- What is the CF2798 / Child Care Arrangement form?
- It’s the form that records your child care arrangement for an Affordable Child Care Benefit application — it needs both your details and your provider’s, plus the provider’s signature. Some daycares (those on Mitten) can give you a pre-filled head-start to save time.