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NOTICE: Effective Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the DC Child Care Subsidy Program has a waitlist for new applicants. Families that apply for the program and are found eligible will be assigned a priority group on the waitlist. Children eligible under Priority Group 1 (children under protective services and children experiencing homelessness) are permitted to enroll in the program and receive subsidies. Families currently enrolled in the DC Child Care Subsidy Program will continue to receive subsidies as long as they remain eligible and complete the redetermination process. Click here for more information on the waitlist. |
The Child Care Subsidy Program helps DC families pay for the cost of child care. The program supports families with low and moderate incomes, or other special circumstances that create a need for child care assistance, to access high-quality education and care in the District.
Information for Families
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) implemented a waitlist for the DC Child Care Subsidy Program effective Tuesday, May 12, 2026. DC families may continue to apply to receive child care subsidies by completing and submitting an application for the DC Child Care Subsidy Program.
The application is used to determine a family’s eligibility. While the waitlist is in effect, families determined eligible are assigned a priority group based on their eligibility classification. Families assigned a priority group that is open for enrollment can enroll in the DC Child Care Subsidy Program and choose from a wide range of licensed child development facilities or select an in-home care provider. The DC Child Care Subsidy Program will pay all or part of the family’s child care costs directly to their child development facility or in-home provider. Depending on income, families may be required to pay a portion of the cost of child care directly to the facility.
Families currently receiving child care subsidies may continue to receive subsidies while the waitlist is in effect as long as they remain eligible and complete the redetermination process. They may also add siblings to their case. Siblings will not be assigned to a priority group on the waitlist; they can enroll in subsidized child care services as soon as they are added to the family’s case.
How to Apply
Families may apply for the DC Child Care Subsidy Program online or in person at a DC Department of Human Services (DHS) service center or an authorized Level II child care provider facility. Additionally, families experiencing homelessness may apply at the Virginia Williams Family Resources Center. More information on how to apply is available here.
Support is available for families who have questions or need assistance completing the application. DHS eligibility workers and Level II child care providers can assist families applying in-person to complete the application process, and families may also contact DC Child Care Connections at (202) 829-2500 or [email protected].
To submit a complaint related to the DC Child Care Subsidy Program application or determination process, email [email protected].
Resources for families
- Application
- Online application
- Print application
- Download and print to bring to a DHS service center or an authorized Level II provider.
- Guide to completing the online application
- Guide to identify the supporting documentation you need to submit in your application
- FAQ on eligibility and completing the application
- Waitlist
- Policy Manual
Information for Child Care Providers
To participate in the DC Child Care Subsidy Program and serve families receiving child care subsidies, a child development facility must be licensed by OSSE and the provider must complete the subsidy agreement process designated by OSSE.
Effective May 12, 2026, there is a hold on new child care providers joining the DC Child Care Subsidy Program. Child care providers already participating in the program may continue to add facilities to their provider agreement. Level I providers cannot complete the process to become a Level II provider until further notice.
Resources for Child Care Providers
- Waitlist
- Policy Manual
- Attendance
- Payments and Family Fees
- Technical Assistance
- Provider Agreement
For questions or additional information about the DC Child Care Subsidy Program, please email [email protected].
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