Childcare Resources & Subsidies in Washington State

Working Connections Child Care (WCCC / CCAP)

Washington's primary childcare subsidy program is the Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) program — also called the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Administered by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), WCCC helps low- and moderate-income families pay for licensed childcare while parents work, attend school, or participate in job training.

Who Is Eligible for WCCC?

To qualify, your family must meet all of the following:

• Income: Household income at or below 60% of the State Median Income (SMI). As of 2025–2026, that's roughly $5,110/month for a family of three.
• Activity requirement: You must be working, enrolled in school or job training, participating in a WorkFirst activity, or in treatment for substance use disorder.
• Child age: Children must be under 13 (or under 18 if the child has special needs or a disability).
• Washington residency: You and your child must be WA state residents.

Families receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) automatically qualify and receive priority placement.

How to Apply

Apply online at Washington Connection — the state's benefits portal. You can also apply in person at your local DSHS Community Services Office (CSO). Call 1-877-501-2233 to find the nearest office or to apply by phone.

You'll need to provide:

• Proof of identity and WA residency
• Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters)
• Your child's birth certificate and immunization records
• Proof of your qualifying activity (employer letter, school enrollment, treatment verification)

Copays and Provider Requirements

Most families pay a sliding-scale copay based on income. Families at the lowest income levels may pay $0 per month. DSHS sets maximum reimbursement rates by county and age group — your provider must be willing to accept WCCC rates.

Your provider must be:

• Licensed by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), OR
• A license-exempt provider (certain relatives, in-home providers) registered with DCYF

Use Child Care Aware of Washington (1-800-446-1114) to search for WCCC-accepting providers in your area.

Head Start & Early Head Start in Washington State

Head Start is a federally funded early childhood program for children ages 3–5 from families at or below the federal poverty level. Early Head Start serves infants and toddlers from birth to age 3, as well as pregnant parents.

Both programs are free and provide:

• Full-day or part-day classroom education
• Health and developmental screenings
• Dental, vision, and nutrition services
• Family support services and parent engagement

Eligibility

The primary eligibility criterion is income at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Children in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or receiving SNAP benefits are automatically income-eligible. Up to 10% of enrollment slots are reserved for children with disabilities regardless of income.

How to Apply and Find Locations

Head Start is administered locally through community action agencies and school districts across Washington. To find your nearest program:

• ECLKC Head Start Locator — federal program finder
• Washington State DCYF Head Start: dcyf.wa.gov — state program contacts
• Community Action network: Contact your local Community Action Agency through 211 for local Head Start enrollment

Many Head Start programs have waitlists, so apply as early as possible. Early Head Start slots are especially limited — if you're pregnant or have an infant, contact your local agency immediately.

Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP)

ECEAP is Washington state's own preschool program for 3- and 4-year-olds from lower-income families. Think of it as Washington's state-funded Head Start — it serves families who earn too much for Head Start but still can't afford private preschool.

Who Qualifies for ECEAP?

• Household income at or below 110% of the Federal Poverty Level
• Families with income up to 200% FPL may qualify based on risk factors (housing instability, a parent with a disability, a child with developmental delays, family involvement with the child welfare system)
• Children who are homeless or in foster care have priority enrollment

ECEAP is administered by DCYF and delivered by school districts, community organizations, and tribal programs statewide.

How to Enroll

Contact your local school district's Early Learning office or search for ECEAP programs through DCYF's program locator. You can also call 1-800-446-1114 (Child Care Aware) for enrollment help. Programs fill quickly — contact them in late winter or early spring for fall enrollment.

Child Care Aware of Washington — Your Navigation Network

Child Care Aware of Washington is a statewide network of local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies. Think of it as a free childcare GPS — they help families find licensed care, understand subsidy eligibility, and navigate the application process.

Services include:

• Personalized childcare searches by zip code, age, and schedule
• Help applying for WCCC, Head Start, and ECEAP
• Information on provider licensing and quality ratings (WA STARS)
• Support for special needs childcare placement

Call: 1-800-446-1114
Website: childcarenetwork.org

This is often the best first call for any parent who doesn't know where to start. CCR&R navigators are free, confidential, and available in multiple languages.

Tribal Childcare Programs in Washington State

Washington is home to 29 federally recognized tribal nations, many of which operate their own childcare programs funded through CCDF Tribal grants (Child Care and Development Fund). These programs serve tribal member families and, in some cases, Native families from other tribes.

Tribal childcare programs often offer:

• Culturally grounded early learning environments
• Priority enrollment for tribal members
• Subsidy assistance independent of the state WCCC system

If you are a tribal member or Native parent, contact your tribe's social services or education department directly. You can also search tribal programs through DCYF's tribal contacts page or by calling 211 and requesting tribal resource referrals. For more, see our Native American & Tribal Resources guide.

Emergency and Crisis Childcare Options

When a family crisis hits — a sudden job loss, a domestic violence escape, a housing emergency — waiting weeks for a subsidy application to process isn't an option. Washington has several emergency childcare pathways:

• DSHS Emergency Assistance (WorkFirst): Families in crisis may qualify for expedited WCCC processing. Contact your local DSHS CSO at 1-877-501-2233 and ask specifically for emergency or crisis processing.
• Community Action Agencies: Many local agencies have small emergency childcare funds. Call 211 to be connected to a Community Action Agency in your county.
• Head Start Emergency Enrollment: Some Head Start programs maintain open slots for children experiencing homelessness or family crisis. Contact your local Head Start directly.
• YWCA and domestic violence shelters: Many DV shelters provide on-site childcare or have childcare partnerships. See our Domestic Violence Resources guide for shelter contacts.

Childcare for Domestic Violence Survivors

Survivors of domestic violence face unique barriers when applying for childcare assistance — including fear that their address or contact information will be exposed to an abusive partner. Washington state has specific protections in place.

Address Confidentiality Program (ACP)

The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), run by the Washington Secretary of State's office, provides a substitute address for DV survivors so their real location is never recorded on public documents — including DSHS applications. To enroll: 1-800-822-1065 or sos.wa.gov/acp.

DSHS DV Protections

When applying for WCCC or other DSHS benefits, survivors can:

• Use an ACP address on all applications
• Request that their case be flagged as confidential so records aren't shared with other household members
• Apply without listing the other parent's information if doing so would endanger them (with documentation)

DSHS staff are trained to accommodate DV-related safety needs. If you feel your safety concerns aren't being addressed during an application, ask to speak with a DV liaison or contact the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence at wscadv.org or call the National DV Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. For a full list of DV-specific resources in Washington, visit our Domestic Violence Resources guide.

Childcare for Parents in Addiction Recovery

Parents in substance use treatment programs need to know their childcare subsidy won't disappear while they're getting help. Under Washington's WCCC rules, participation in a substance use disorder treatment program qualifies as an approved activity — meaning your childcare subsidy can remain active while you're in treatment.

Key Protections

• Residential treatment: If you're in an inpatient program, your WCCC can continue as long as your child is being cared for by an approved provider and you remain enrolled in treatment.
• Outpatient treatment: If you're attending outpatient recovery programs, WCCC counts this as a qualifying activity just like work or school.
• Continuity of care: Notify your DSHS caseworker before entering treatment and request that your case be noted as treatment-active. Gaps in communication are the most common reason subsidies are terminated incorrectly.

If your subsidy is interrupted during treatment, see the Appeals section below, and contact the Washington Recovery Help Line at 1-866-789-1511 for additional support navigating both recovery resources and benefits. For more support for families in recovery, see our Financial Assistance for Single Parents in Washington State guide.

After-School and Summer Childcare Programs

Childcare doesn't end at kindergarten. School-age parents often struggle to find affordable before/after-school and summer programs. These options can help:

21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC)

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, 21st Century Community Learning Centers provide free or low-cost after-school and summer academic enrichment programs at schools, community centers, and other nonprofit sites. Programs serve K–12 students and prioritize low-income schools.

To find a 21st CCLC program near you, contact your school district or visit the OSPI 21st CCLC page at ospi.k12.wa.us. You can also call 360-725-6000 (OSPI main line) for referrals.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington

Boys & Girls Clubs operate over 40 locations across Washington state, offering after-school programs, summer day camps, homework help, and recreation for youth ages 6–18. Annual membership fees are kept low (often $5–$25), and many clubs offer reduced or waived fees for families demonstrating financial need.

Find your nearest club at bgca.org/find-a-club.

WCCC for School-Age Children

Remember: WCCC covers before- and after-school care for children under 13. If you're working and need before/after-school programs, your WCCC subsidy can apply to licensed school-age care programs, including many Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA programs.

Childcare Tax Credits

Even if you don't qualify for full subsidy, federal and state tax credits can significantly reduce your childcare costs.

Federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit

The Child and Dependent Care Credit allows you to claim a percentage of childcare expenses on your federal tax return. For 2025 taxes:

• Up to $3,000 in expenses for one child (up to $6,000 for two or more children)
• Credit ranges from 20% to 35% of qualifying expenses, depending on income
• Lower-income families receive the higher percentage

To claim: File IRS Form 2441 with your federal return. You'll need your provider's name, address, and Tax ID/EIN.

Washington Working Families Tax Credit

The Washington Working Families Tax Credit is a state-level refundable credit based on your federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) amount. Eligible families can receive $300–$1,255 back from the state — and you don't have to owe taxes to receive it.

Eligibility is the same as the federal EITC. Apply at wafamilytaxcredit.wa.gov or through a free tax preparer (VITA sites, statewide through 211).

If Your Childcare Subsidy Is Denied or Terminated

If DSHS denies your WCCC application, reduces your benefit, or terminates your subsidy, you have the right to appeal. This is not optional fine print — it's a real protection that reverses incorrect decisions every year.

Steps to Take

1. Request a written notice. DSHS is required to provide written explanation of any denial or termination. If you didn't receive one, call 1-877-501-2233 and request it.
2. Request a Fair Hearing. You have 90 days from the date of the action to request a hearing. Call the Washington Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) at 1-800-583-8271 or submit your request at oah.wa.gov.
3. Request continuation of benefits. If you appeal within 10 days of the notice, you may be able to continue receiving childcare benefits during the hearing process. Ask specifically about "aid paid pending appeal."
4. Get legal help. Free legal help with DSHS benefit appeals is available through:
   • Northwest Justice Project: 1-888-201-1014 / nwjustice.org
   • Washington Law Help: washingtonlawhelp.org — free legal guides
   • Columbia Legal Services: columbialegal.org
5. Contact your DSHS caseworker's supervisor. Many issues can be resolved at this level before a formal hearing. Be specific, document everything, and follow up in writing.

For more guidance on navigating legal and financial systems as a single parent, see our Single Parent Financial Assistance guide.

How Bossplayah Haven Supports Families Through the Childcare Maze

Finding childcare assistance shouldn't require a law degree and six months of waiting. But that's often what the system demands — and for single parents, DV survivors, and parents in recovery, that wait can be the difference between keeping a job or losing it, staying safe or returning to an unsafe situation.

Bossplayah Haven's Comprehensive Sanctuary Model was built specifically to eliminate that gap. Rather than handing families a list of phone numbers and sending them back into the referral loop, Haven wraps support around you — combining housing stability, economic empowerment, trauma-informed services, and connections to programs like WCCC, Head Start, and ECEAP in one coordinated path forward.

If you're navigating childcare challenges alongside any of the following, Haven may be able to help:

• Escaping or recovering from domestic violence
• Experiencing homelessness or housing instability
• Working toward sobriety and family reunification
• Rebuilding financial stability as a single parent

You don't have to navigate this alone. Reach out to the Haven team, explore the full Resources Hub for guides on housing, legal aid, healthcare, and more, or connect directly with a care navigator.

Related Resources

Childcare is one piece of the larger puzzle. These guides cover the full picture:

• Childcare Assistance for Single Parents in Washington State
• Single Parent Financial Assistance Programs in Washington State
• TANF & Cash Assistance for Single Parents
• Domestic Violence Resources in Washington State
• Addiction Recovery Support for Families in Washington State