The B.C. government is moving to protect parents from unexpected child care fees by setting a new standard for what qualifies as a full day of care.
Effective April 1, 2026, child care providers participating in the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative will be required to offer at least 9.5 hours of care per day before charging families additional fees for extended hours. The province says the update ensures families are not paying extra for hours that should reasonably be included in a base child care fee.
Education and Child Care Minister Lisa Beare says the change creates predictability and fairness for families, while closing a loophole that allowed some providers to charge extra for standard care hours. The province emphasizes the update also creates consistency across the sector, while still allowing providers flexibility to design programs that meet community needs.
Most child care providers will not be affected by the change. The province estimates about 95 per cent of providers already offer a standard full day of care before charging additional fees, meaning only a small number will need to adjust their business models.
The Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative lowers monthly child care fees for families in participating licensed centres. In British Columbia, 97 per cent of eligible licensed centres take part in the program. Combined with the Affordable Child Care Benefit, the initiative has saved families more than three billion dollars in child care costs.
The updated policy is intended to support equity for families, particularly those juggling work, school, commuting, and other responsibilities.
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