The programs listed below may have income eligibility requirements.
There are a number of different State and federally funded programs that help families pay for child care. Child development services for children from birth through 12 years of age, and older children with exceptional needs, are available. These programs offer an educational component that is developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate for the children served. Meals and snacks are provided to children, along with parent education, referrals to health and social services for families, and staff development opportunities to employees. These programs are intended to increase parental choice and accommodate the individual needs of the family.
CSPP programs are part-time and full-time hours for children who are 3 or 4 years old by September 1st. Families access this program by meeting specific income guidelines and other requirements and may be assessed a fee. Those with the greatest need will be served first. Families may remain in the state programs as long as they continue to meet the need and eligibility criteria of the program and follow the program rules and regulations. State preschool provides activities for children. Full-time classes meet at least 6 hours per day; part-time classes meet 3 hours per day. All classes meet Monday through Friday and follow the school year calendar. The focus is on literacy, number skills, social development, health, and safety. Parents are encouraged to participate in the classrooms as volunteers and are eligible to serve on the program-wide Parent Advisory Committee. CSPP provides children with a daily snack and helps families access community resources. Click here to request a free, personalized child care referral.
APPs help pay for child care services for parents who are employed, participating in a vocational goal or job training, or engaged in other approved activities. As CAPP funding becomes available, the most eligible families receive services first through our internal ranking system. Families may remain in the CAPP program as long as they continue to meet the need and eligibility criteria of the program and follow the program rules and regulations. Parents are eligible for the program if they:
- Meet state income guidelines,
- Have children up through age 12 (13-21 years old if a child has special needs),
- Use child care in our service area, and
- Need child care because they are employed, seeking employment, in vocational training, seeking permanent housing, and/or are incapacitated.
Click here for eligibility and enrollment guidelines. Click here to request a free, personalized child care referral.
Stage 1 is administered by the California Department of Social Services through the county welfare department (CWDs). Stage 1 begins when a participant enters the CalWORKs grant welfare-to-work plan developed by the CWD for each family. The CWDs refer families to resource and referral agencies to assist them in finding child care providers. Some CWDs pay those providers directly for the services performed. Many CWDs have a sub-contract with APPs to pay for child development services. Parents are eligible for the program if they:
- Meet state income guidelines,
- Have children up through age 12 (13-21 years old if the child has special needs),
- Use child care in our service area, and
- Need child care because they are employed, seeking employment, in vocational training, seeking permanent housing, and/or incapacitated.
Chatsworth (805) 399-9492
Palmdale (805) 399-9549
San Bernardino (805) 399-9582
Victorville (805) 399-9587
Eligibility and enrollment guidelines:
Los Angeles County – Click here
San Bernardino County – Click here
Click here to request a free, personalized child care referral.
Families have access to this program if they have previously received public cash assistance (welfare) or a diversion payment through the Department of Public Social Services. Families may be eligible for this program for up to 24 months after discontinuing cash assistance as long as they continue to meet the need and eligibility criteria of the program and follow the program rules and regulations. Families must also:
- Meet state income guidelines,
- Have children up through age 12, (13-21 years old if child is special needs)
- Use child care in our service area, and
- Need child care because they are employed, seeking employment, in vocational training, seeking permanent housing, and/or incapacitated.
Chatsworth (805) 399-9492
Palmdale (805) 399-9549
San Bernardino (805) 399-9582
Victorville (805) 399-9587
Click here for eligibility and enrollment guidelines. Click here to request a free, personalized child care referral.
This program is available to families who continue to need child care services after their 24 months of eligibility expires in C2AP. Families may access this program only if they transfer directly from a C2AP program with no break in services. Families may remain on the C3AP program as long as they continue to meet the need and eligibility criteria of the program and follow the program rules and regulations. Parents must also meet the following:
- Meet state income guidelines,
- Have children up through age 12, (13-21 years old if child is special needs)
- Use child care in our service area, and
- Need child care because they are employed, seeking employment, in a vocational training, seeking permanent housing, and/or incapacitated.
Click here for Los Angeles county eligibility and enrollment guidelines. Click here to request a free, personalized child care referral.
FCCHEN combines the high-quality standards of learning and care in the intimacy of a home environment.
As part of FCCHEN, your child will receive:
- High quality care in licensed home-based child care facilities.
- Meals that meet nutritional guidelines and standards.
- Personalized support and activity planning to meet your child’s developmental needs.
- Child observations and parent conferences to ensure individual needs are met.
- Subsidized funding though the California Department of Social Services for income eligible families.
With the support of an Early Childhood Coach, your child care provider will receive:
- Unique professional growth and education opportunities.
- Free resources and materials to support children’s development.
- One-on-one mentoring and program planning to ensure high quality services.
For more information on the FCCHEN Program, click here. Contact our Resource and Referral department to find a FCCHEN in your area – (818) 717-1000 ext. 9451. Click here to request a free, personalized child care referral.
EHS-CCP is a leading national model based on the proven success of the Early Head Start program. EHS-CCP offers full-day, full-year child care to ensure children receive healthy early experiences and developmentally appropriate activities to help them realize their full potential. EHS-CCP also provides comprehensive support to families to make sure their child’s health and wellness and family goals are met. It serves children ages 0-3 in a child care setting or 0-4 in a family child care home.
Family benefits:
- Full-day, full-year high-quality child care
- Gap funding for parents who lose their subsidy and help with the re-enrollment process
- Ongoing comprehensive services include:
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- Nutrition
- Dental care
- Mental health
- Health care
- Disabilities
- Other family needs
- Ongoing assessment and support of social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth and development
- FREE diapers, wipes, and formula while in child care
Child care provider benefits:
- Access to comprehensive support for children and families
- Assistance with materials and equipment for family child care home or center
- Coaching and mentoring from a child development specialist
- Access to a monthly quality supplement for each enrolled child
- Opportunities to obtain a Child Development Associate Credential or other approved degree/certification
Click here for more information on EHS-CCP. For questions, please contact:
Los Angeles County – (818) 717-4515
San Bernardino Area – (909) 991-1385
Victorville Area – (760) 559-7576
Head Start is a comprehensive preschool program for low-income children that provides professional services in education & early childhood development, medical, dental & mental health, nutrition, and parent involvement. Head Start is for children aged 3 to 4 from low-income families, including special needs children, who live within each agency’s area.
To qualify:
- A family must meet federal income guidelines, which are established by reference to the official poverty line and adjusted annually in accordance with changes in the Consumer Price Index. These guidelines may be waived for families with special circumstances who might benefit from placement in Head Start.
- A child must not be eligible for kindergarten at the time of enrollment.
- A child who will be four on or before September 1st will receive priority.
- A child with a disability will receive priority points.
- Regardless of any changes in family income, once a child is determined eligible and enrolled in the program, he or she will remain eligible for the program throughout the current year and for a second year, as long as he or she still meets the age requirements.
Click here to find your local Head Start preschool.
Child care arrangements may involve any two of the options listed above, including care provided by a relative, in addition to another child care agreement with either a licensed family child care home or child care center.
Click here to request a free, personalized child care referral.
These centers are privately owned businesses that are licensed by Community Care Licensing (CCL) to operate in a commercial building. Parents generally pay 100% of the tuition fee unless they are enrolled in a child care subsidy program. Private preschool centers may have a sliding scale for low-income parents, but parents need to contact centers directly for more information. As private institutions, they may have a religious or culturally specific curriculum.
Click here to request a free, personalized child care referral.
Family child care providers operate in private homes and are licensed by Community Care Licensing. Parents are responsible for 100% of the tuition fee unless they are enrolled in a child care subsidy program. Most family child care providers do not have a sliding scale. As a private program, they may have a religious or culturally specific curriculum.
Click here to request a free, personalized child care referral.
Quality Start Los Angeles (QSLA) and Quality Start San Bernardino (QSSB) are part of a nationwide movement designed to empower early learning providers to build upon and improve the quality of care they provide to children from birth to age five. These programs help families understand what makes an early learning program effective and how to find the right program for their child. As part of the county-wide Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), professionals from licensed child care centers and family child care homes receive support through professional development, specialized trainings, individualized coaching, and access to cutting-edge resources and funding opportunities. By partnering with providers, we are coming together to ensure all children receive a quality start in life. To learn more: