Paying for Child Care and Early Learning

Best Starts for Kids is a King County voter-approved initiative to support every baby born or child raised in King County to reach adulthood happy, healthy, safe, and thriving. Starting in 2022, these investments include $20 million per year for a new child care subsidy program! To find out if you are eligible for this subsidy and to apply, please visit the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy website.

The Seattle CCAP is available to low-income families who live within Seattle city limits and are unable to access other subsidy programs. Priority is given to families who need care during nonstandard hours such as nights and weekends due to their work or education schedule. Learn more here.

The Suburban Cities Financial Assistance Programs is funded by the Human Services Funding Collaborative and assists low to moderate income families in Bellevue, Redmond, and Kent. This program does not require caregivers to be employed, but requires families to demonstrate that child care is essential to meeting their basic needs.

The program is currently at capacity in all cities. To join the waitlist for this program, fill out this form available in both English and Spanish.

Brightspark’s Child Care Subsidy Program is available to families experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness in Seattle and Bellevue.  The program provides short-term financial assistance and application assistance for families that qualify for other subsidy programs. Subsidy authorizations may be extended if the family is ineligible for other subsidy programs.

To join the waitlist or enroll in this program, please fill out this form available in both English and Spanish.

ECEAP is funded by the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families and is available to low-income families with children ages 3-5. This program offers assistance to low-income families or those who are experiencing crises like housing instability, domestic violence, or mental health challenges. It offers holistic family support, like developmental screenings, help securing basic needs such as housing and groceries. Learn more about eligibility and apply here.

WCCC is funded by the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families and connects low-to-moderate income working families to providers and pays a portion of their tuition based on the families’ needs. To learn more about the eligibility and application for this program, click here.

HGP is similar to WCCC, but does not require families experiencing homelessness as defined by McKinney-Vento to meet activity requirements (employment, education, etc.). Families approved for HGP are not required to pay a copayment. To learn more about the eligibility and application for this program, click here.

If you would like additional assistance applying for either WCCC or HGP, please contact the Family Center at 1-800-446-1114! One of our Statewide Subsidy Navigators would be happy to assist you.