Childcare resources
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 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 on our parent payment portal 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.
