Family resources
Local help for food and nutrition, children with physical and learning disabilities, and clothing, diapers and baby gear — plus the subsidy programs, scholarships and tax credits California families use to cover childcare. Tap any phone number to call.
Every child deserves full tummies and healthy meals at home, too. If your family needs a little extra help with groceries, these local programs are friendly, confidential and free to contact. We are always happy to help you find the right one.
Monthly healthy food benefits — produce, whole grains, milk, eggs, infant formula and baby food — plus breastfeeding support and nutrition counseling for pregnant and postpartum parents and children under age 5.
Murrieta / Winchester area WIC
37552 Winchester Rd, Murrieta, CA 92563
(951) 600-1314Lakeshore WIC
2499 E. Lakeshore Dr. #B, Lake Elsinore, CA
(800) 455-4942Monthly EBT food assistance to help families buy fresh groceries, produce and pantry staples, plus Market Match farmers market benefits and the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Apply online at BenefitsCal or call Riverside County DPSS.
Riverside County DPSS
(877) 410-8827Free weekly nutritious groceries, fresh produce and household essentials for local families.
Community Food Pantry of Murrieta
39493 Los Alamos Rd., Suite A, Murrieta, CA 92563
Distribution Wed & Thu, 6:30–10:00 AM
(951) 677-6347Neighborhood pantries close to home, plus 211 Riverside County — call or text 211 anytime for free, 24/7, confidential referrals to local food banks, utility help and family support.
Lighthouse Food Pantry
38435 Innovation Ct. #101, Murrieta, CA
Saturdays, 8–11 AM
(951) 698-7633Murrieta United Methodist Church Food Pantry
24652 Adams Ave., Murrieta, CA
Fridays, 8–9 AM
(951) 677-6174211 Riverside County
24/7 · call or text
2-1-1See our menus and nutrition tips on the Healthy Meals page.
PreSchool Prep celebrates neurodiverse learners. Every child learns in their own way, and we partner closely with families and therapists so each child gets the support they need to thrive. Here is a plain-language guide and the local contacts that can help.
Early Start / IFSP
Birth to age 3
An Individualized Family Service Plan providing free developmental evaluations, plus speech, occupational and physical therapy, for infants and toddlers showing developmental delays or at risk for disabilities.
IEP (Individualized Education Program)
Age 3 and up
A legally binding special education plan under IDEA for children who qualify under categories such as Autism, Speech & Language Impairment, Specific Learning Disabilities, Orthopedic/Physical Impairments, Vision/Hearing Impairments, or Other Health Impairments — providing specialized instruction and therapies at no cost through the school district.
Section 504 Plan
Civil rights accommodation plan
A civil rights accommodation plan ensuring children with physical, medical, sensory or learning disabilities (such as ADHD, mobility needs, diabetes or severe allergies) receive equal access, classroom accommodations and daily support.
Coordinates free Early Start assessments (birth–age 3) and lifelong services for Autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and intellectual/developmental disabilities across Riverside County.
Riverside County Early Start Intake
(909) 890-4763Main line
(909) 890-3000Early intervention and family support for infants and toddlers with special needs in Riverside County.
RCOE Infant CIRCLE
(951) 683-0112Free preschool developmental, speech, occupational and physical therapy evaluations for children ages 2 years 9 months to 5 years.
Preschool Assessment Team
(951) 696-1600 ext. 1039Parent advocacy, IEP facilitation, training workshops and special education rights guidance.
Riverside County SELPA
(951) 490-0375Local parent support groups, sensory-friendly community events, advocacy workshops and resource navigation for families navigating autism.
Little ones grow fast. These local programs help families get free or low-cost children's clothing, diapers and baby essentials.
Free or low-cost children's clothing, baby clothes, blankets and household essentials for Murrieta, Winchester and French Valley families.
St. Martha's 2nd Hand Treasures
39793 Avenida Acacias, Murrieta, CA 92563
Open Wed–Sat
(951) 677-0078Free diapers, wipes, formula, baby clothing, blankets and parenting classes for expecting parents and families with infants and toddlers.
Temecula Baby Shop
41750 Winchester Rd., Temecula, CA 92590
(951) 296-3441A dignified, no-cost community clothing closet offering seasonal children's clothes, everyday wear and essentials for local families bridging financial gaps.
Hope's Community Closet
26111 Ynez Rd., Suite B30, Temecula, CA 92591
Free comprehensive early learning, health, diaper/supply referrals and family support services for income-eligible families with infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
Murrieta Head Start
24980 Las Brisas Rd., Murrieta, CA 92562
(951) 600-5680Office of Head Start (national)
Mon–Fri, 8 AM–6 PM ET
1-866-763-6481Programs we trust to grow a lifelong love of reading and learning.
The Reading Engagement brings picture books to life through interactive read-alouds led by 'The Reading Engager' paired with hands-on activities in Music, Art, Math, Sensory exploration, and Movement for children from birth through age 12. Families can explore their upcoming local community story times, download family literacy brochures, or book interactive story time experiences for events and birthdays.
Help paying for childcare
Quality care should not depend on your paycheck. Below are the subsidy programs, scholarships, grants, and tax credits California families use to cover daycare tuition — plus the steps to apply with PreSchool Prep as your provider.
State-funded programs that pay all or part of your childcare cost based on family size, income, and need.
Income-eligible working or student families
A local agency pays a portion of your childcare directly to a licensed provider like PreSchool Prep. You choose the provider; the agency pays the subsidy and you cover any family fee.
Program detailsFamilies receiving or recently leaving CalWORKs cash aid
Covers childcare while you work or attend approved training. Stage 1 starts through your county welfare office and continues into Stages 2 and 3 as your situation stabilizes.
Program detailsIncome-eligible families needing full-day, full-year care
Contracted, subsidized care for infants through school-age children, including nontraditional-hour needs for shift workers.
Program details3- and 4-year-olds from income-eligible families
Part-day or full-day preschool at no cost to qualifying families, with wraparound care available.
Program detailsPregnant families and children birth to 5
Federally funded early learning, health, and family-support services at no cost to eligible families.
Program detailsAgricultural and seasonal working families
Subsidized care built around seasonal work schedules and relocation.
Program detailsResource families, relatives, and foster caregivers
Time-limited childcare payments plus a navigator and trauma-informed coaching for the provider.
Program detailsPreSchool Prep is in Murrieta, so these are the agencies closest to home. Start with the one that matches your situation.
Low-income families with children 0 to 13
The Riverside County Office of Education's Early Care and Education unit helps pay for care at a licensed family child care home or center you choose. Families are enrolled from the ECE Eligibility List, most eligible first.
(800) 442-4927
Program detailsLow-income families, priority for children 0-3 and special needs
Scholarship funding from First 5 Riverside County for care at Quality Start Riverside County providers, including family child care homes. Reimbursement follows the state Alternative Payment rates.
(951) 826-6699
Program detailsFamilies receiving CalWORKs cash aid
Apply through the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services while you work or take part in approved welfare-to-work activities; you choose the provider. Once you have been off aid for two years, your case moves to RCOE's Stage 2 and Stage 3 programs.
(877) 410-8827
Program detailsIncome-eligible families, birth through age 12
State-subsidized care at licensed Riverside County centers for working families and families with a demonstrated need, following Title 22 and Title 5 standards.
(800) 442-4927
Program detailsAny Riverside County family
Free referrals to more than 2,800 licensed centers and family child care homes across the county, plus help screening you for every subsidy you may qualify for.
(951) 826-6626
Program detailsSan Diego County families work with two subsidy agencies and one shared application. Both pay a licensed family child care home directly.
Families living or working in San Diego County, children 0-12 (exceptional needs to 21)
CDA's Alternative Payment program pays a licensed home or center of your choice. One application on Child Care San Diego starts the process; eligibility includes CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, CalFresh, WIC, Head Start, or income under the state ceiling.
(619) 427-4411, ext. 1400
Program detailsLow-income families who live or work in San Diego County
The county's Resource & Referral agency also runs its own parent-choice subsidy program and pays your provider directly. Ask to be screened for Alternative Payment, Stage 1, and the Foster Bridge program.
(619) 521-3055
Program detailsFamilies on CalWORKs, or off cash aid within the past two years
Voucher-based care through the county Health & Human Services Agency. Call Access or speak with your Employment Services case manager, then name PreSchool Prep as your provider.
(866) 262-9881
Program detailsAny San Diego County family searching for care
A single online application that reaches every subsidized child care agency in the county, plus the Centralized Eligibility List that agencies call when funding opens.
(800) 481-2151
Program detailsScholarship funds and sliding-scale help that reduce what a family pays out of pocket each month.
Any California family
Your county Resource & Referral agency keeps a live list of local scholarship funds, emergency childcare vouchers, and sliding-scale openings. Start here — one call screens you for several programs.
Program detailsFamilies nationwide, including California
Searchable directory of state and local financial-assistance options and how to apply for each.
Program detailsActive-duty, Guard, Reserve, and some veteran families
Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood and Child Care Aware of America fee assistance can subsidize care at licensed community homes.
Program detailsTribal member families
Tribal CCDF programs fund childcare for member families, often with fewer income restrictions.
Program detailsEnrolled and enrolling families
Sibling discounts, part-time and drop-in schedules, and short-term payment plans. Ask Mrs. Kumi — we will also help you complete subsidy paperwork.
Email usGrants, credits, and employer benefits that put money back in your pocket for childcare paid during the year.
California taxpayers with care expenses
A state credit tied to the federal care credit for childcare paid so you could work or look for work.
Program detailsWorking families with children under 13
Claim a percentage of qualifying childcare costs on your federal return. Keep your PreSchool Prep receipts and license number.
Program detailsEmployees with access to a benefits plan
Set aside pre-tax dollars each paycheck for licensed childcare — often the single largest savings available to working parents.
Program detailsLower-income California workers
Refundable credits that free up household cash for tuition; the Young Child Tax Credit adds support for children under 6.
Program detailsFamilies facing job loss, housing crisis, or medical emergency
Many counties hold short-term emergency childcare grant funds. Your R&R agency can tell you what is open right now.
Program detailsHow to apply
Call your county Resource & Referral agency and ask to be screened for every subsidy you may qualify for.
Gather income verification, proof of need (work or school schedule), and each child's birth record.
Tell the agency you have chosen PreSchool Prep — a licensed family child care home — as your provider.
Send us the provider paperwork; we complete our portion, including license #336301825.
Set up your remaining family fee in your PreSchool Prep Parent Portal (Auto-Pay available) so tuition stays current.
Subsidy forms are long, and deadlines matter. Bring yours to us and we will fill in the provider sections with you — including licensing details, rates, and attendance records.
Program rules and funding change. Always confirm current eligibility with the agency before making enrollment decisions.
