In order for DC children to access high-quality early childhood programs and start school prepared to thrive, families need resources to help them find, select and pay for child care and early education programs that meet their needs. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) supports families by:
- Offering programs and resources for finding and choosing child care or pre-K programs;
- Administering the DC Child Care Subsidy Program to help families pay for child care; and
- Supporting early intervention programs that provide free services to children with disabilities or developmental delays and their families.
Information on these supports is available below.
Information on Child Care and Pre-K Programs
My Child Care DC
My Child Care DC is an online tool from OSSE that makes searching for child care options in DC easy and provides families with the information they need when selecting a child care provider. Families can use My Child Care DC to explore, compare and connect with child care options all in one place. It’s free to use and available in multiple languages. Click here to visit My Child Care DC.
Capital Quality
Capital Quality is DC’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) administered by OSSE. It supports families to review and compare the quality of child care and early childhood education programs in DC to make informed decisions about where to enroll in child care. Click here for more information on Capital Quality.
DC Child Care Connections
DC Child Care Connections (DC CCC) is DC’s Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) system funded by OSSE. DC CCC helps families find and connect with child care programs and financial resources and operates a lending library where families can access books and digital resources. All DC CCC services are provided to families at no cost. Click here for more information on DC CCC.
Quality Improvement Network (QIN)
The QIN connects eligible families to high-quality child care and provides coaching and comprehensive services, including career, nutrition, health and early intervention supports, to help put eligible families and their children on a path for success. The QIN is funded by OSSE using local and federal Head Start funds and operates through a partnership between OSSE, United Planning Organization (UPO) and 29 child development facilities. Click here for more information on the QIN.
My School DC
DC provides free pre-K education for 3- and 4-year-old children through a mixed-delivery system. Families can use My School DC, the OSSE-operated common application and common lottery for public schools in DC, to apply for most pre-K 3 and pre-K 4 programs. Families can also find information on My School DC about how to apply to a free pre-K program offered by a community-based organization that participates in the Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Program (PKEEP). Click here for more information on applying to pre-K.
Financial Assistance
DC Child Care Subsidy Program
The Child Care Subsidy Program helps DC families pay for the cost of child care. The program, which is administered by OSSE in partnership with child care facilities and the DC Department of Human Services (DHS), supports families with low and moderate incomes, as well as families of children in need of care due to other special circumstances, to access high-quality education and care in DC. Families who apply for the Child Care Subsidy Program and meet the eligibility criteria receive support paying for child care at a licensed child development facility that accepts subsidies. Click here for more information on the Child Care Subsidy Program.
Early Intervention
Strong Start
OSSE’s Strong Start program provides free early intervention services and supports to eligible children birth to 3 and their families who are DC residents. Eligibility is based on an evaluation of the child’s developmental needs conducted by an early intervention specialist. Families who are found eligible receive early intervention services and supports at no cost, regardless of their income, insurance, legal or employment status. Strong Start also offers supports including playgroups hosted at local libraries and virtual family support groups that any family can participate in at no cost. Click here for more information on Strong Start.
Early Stages
The District of Columbia Public Schools’ (DCPS’) Early Stages provides free intervention services to eligible children from 2 years 8 months to 5 years 10 months who go to a DC public school, are home-schooled or have not yet entered the school system. Families with concerns about development for a child ages 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 10 months, and who are not enrolled in a charter school, should contact DCPS for an evaluation. Click here for more information on Early Stages.
Access to Quality Child Care for Children with Disabilities
OSSE’s Access to Quality Child Care for Children with Disabilities grant program supports families of infants and toddlers with disabilities to access early learning programming and child care that meets their needs. The grant provides support to four child development facilities in DC to enhance their capacity to serve infants and toddlers with disabilities. Click here for more information on the facilities that receive support from the Access to Quality Child Care for Children with Disabilities grant.
Help Me Grow
DC Health’s Help Me Grow program partners with various organizations throughout DC to promote the health and wellness of prenatal parents and families with children through age 5. Help Me Grow can support families to connect to resources related to child behavior, development and family support. Click here for more information about Help Me Grow.