Childcare in Vancouver

Licensing, funding, and subsidizing childcare is the role of the provincial government. In April 2018, the Province of British Columbia committed to the Childcare BC plan .

Addressing the high need for childcare

Recognizing that childcare is an essential component of community life intended primarily to support working families, Council and staff:

Support senior governments in meeting their goals for childcare
Partner with non-profit organizations to deliver quality, affordable, and accessible childcare
Facilitate the development of infrastructure to support integrated childcare services, including licensed group care and other family support services
Use financial tools to leverage facilities and land, and offset some operating costs
Provide grants to support qualifying non-profit childcare centres
Issue development and building permits for childcare facilities

What's happeningMaking Strides – Vancouver’s Childcare Strategy

In 2022, City Council adopted a new 10-year childcare strategy to plan for expanded childcare access as an essential component of the health and well-being of children and families.

Learn more about the strategy

Childcare Strategy progress update

Review the Feb 5, 2025, Council report on our Childcare Strategy's implementation and successes to date (1.6 MB)

Highlights

More than 1,400 new childcare spaces have opened in Vancouver since 2022.
About 3,000 new childcare spaces are currently in development, with approximately 70% being part of City-facilitated, not-for-profit centres.
20% of all childcare spaces in Vancouver are part of the Province's $10 a Day ChildCareBC program .