Options to Help You Pay for Child Care

Many families find it a challenge to pay for child care. In Connecticut, there are some resources available to help eligible families pay for child care.

Care 4 Kids Child Care Subsidy

1-888-214-5437
www.care4kids.org

The Care 4 Kids Program is a state program that assists eligible families to pay for child care. To qualify for this program, applicants must

• Be participating in an approved activity (i.e. job search, work, approved training programs)
• Have an income below 50% of the State Median Income (SMI) (for current income guidelines contact Care 4 Kids)

For example, a family of three with a monthly income of $1,500 may be eligible to receive assistance.

The Care 4 Kids subsidy can be used for care:

• In a child care center
• In a licensed family child care home
• By a relative
• By an in-home caregiver (i.e. babysitter or nanny).

Care 4 Kids will pay a portion of the weekly/monthly child care fee; parents will often need to pay the provider an additional amount (i.e. the "family fee"). In order to receive Care 4 Kids payments, the applicant must either be:

• Working,
• In an approved training program through the Jobs First Employment Services Program
• Or a teen parent attending high school.

Please contact Care 4 Kids at 1-888-214-5437 to see if you are eligible.

Sliding Scale Programs

Some child care programs offer a sliding scale reduction to parents. This scale decides how much a family will pay based on their income and family size. Parents are encouraged to ask programs if they offer a sliding scale. Some examples of programs that operate on a sliding scale are:

• Early Head Start – a federally funded program for pregnant women, infants and toddlers that runs part time/part year at no cost with a possible home visiting component. It may also have a full time/full year component based on a sliding scale that is center based.
• Head Start – a federally funded center for children ages 3-5 years old that runs part time/part year at no cost, but may also have a full time/full year program based on a sliding scale.

Head Start and Early Head Start services are not available in all communities

• School Readiness – a state funded program for children ages 3-5 years old that is available in urban areas and some rural/suburban communities. Town residency is required to qualify for this program.
• State Funded Centers – a state funded program that services mostly children ages 3-5 years old. However, there are some centers that do offer these subsidized slots for infants and toddlers or school age children as well.

Scholarships

Some programs offer scholarships that will help pay for child care. These scholarships are usually funded by a grant from another organization. An application process is necessary and some restrictions or qualifications may be in place.