How to find free daycare programs for low-income families
For families with young children, safe, reliable, and affordable daycare is essential for being able to work, go to school, and manage daily responsibilities.
But finding affordable child care in the U.S. can be hard—especially for low-income families.
But there are some programs that can help cover some or all of the cost of child care if you qualify. Here’s what’s available and how to find free and low-cost daycare options near you.
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Federal programs that help pay for child care#federal-programs-that-help-pay-for-child-care
Some child care assistance programs are funded by the federal government and available across the U.S.
Here are the federal daycare and child care programs you may qualify for:
- Head Start: Head Start is a federally-funded program that provides free early childhood education for children ages 3–5 from low-income families. Head Start programs can offer full-day or part-day care, along with meals, health screenings, and developmental support. Spots in the program are often given to families experiencing homelessness, children with disabilities, or families with very low incomes
- Early Head Start: Early Head Start is a separate but similar program to Head Start, and serves infants and toddlers from birth to age three, as well as pregnant people. Early Head Start offers free care through center-based programs, home-based visits, or a mix of both
Go to the ChildCare.gov website and select your state or territory and click the “Child Development and Early Learning Resources” button to find Head Start and Early Head Start programs near you.
Other kinds of financial aid#other-kinds-of-financial-aid
Though not specifically for child care, families with very low-incomes can get TANF, also called cash EBT to help pay for child care. TANF is a federal cash assistance program for families with very low income and few assets.
TANF funds can help cover child care costs for parents who are working, looking for work, or participating in job training or education.
Eligibility rules and benefits vary widely by state.
State child care and daycare programs#state-child-care-and-daycare-programs
Every state runs its own version of child care assistance (sometimes called vouchers, certificates, or subsidies) that use federal funds to help low-income families pay for child care so parents and caregivers can work or attend school.
State programs like vouchers can be used to help pay for daycare centers, licensed home daycare, before- and after-school care, and summer care for school-aged kids.
While they’re all variations of the same thing, the program names vary by state. Some common names include:
- Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
- Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)
- Child Care Subsidy Program
- Working Connections Child Care
- Child Care Works
Eligibility usually depends on income, household size, and whether the parents or caregivers are working, in school, or in job training. You can apply for child care assistance through your state’s benefits or human services website.
The main government child care website includes a helpful directory for finding local state child care resources.
Other options for free or low-cost daycare#other-options-for-free-or-low-cost-daycare
In addition to the programs above, many local and community resources offer low-cost or free child care depending on your situation. You can find and contact any of the following:
- Local nonprofits or community centers
- Faith-based organizations
- School district preschool programs
- YMCA or Boys & Girls Clubs
- Sliding-scale daycare providers
- Child care offered through colleges or job training programs
If you’re not sure where to start and need to explore additional options:
- Visit ChildCare.gov
- Call 211 or visit 211.org for local child care resources and referrals
- Ask your SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF caseworker
- Contact your state’s Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency
- Talk to your child’s school, pediatrician, or early intervention provider
Many families qualify for assistance but never apply because the system can be so confusing. If you need child care to work or care for your family, it’s worth asking a professional what support is available.
