Financial Assistance
Every state receives federal funding to help families with the cost of child care. There are many different options for families to choose from and some of them may have income or eligibility requirements.
Government Programs
State Child Care Assistance
The Arizona Department of Economic Security Division of Child Care with funding from the federal Child Care Development Block Grant administers the state child care financial assistance program. To learn more about the program and determine if you may be eligible, please visit our Child Care Eligibility and Assistance page.
Early Head Start/Head Start
Early Head Start serves children from birth to 2 years old and Head Start serves children ages 3-5 years old. These programs provide a wide range of services to support children’s development and work with families to help support their children.
These federally funded programs and are in every state, territory, and many tribal communities. Families with incomes at or below the poverty level may be eligible for Head Start services. Special consideration is given to children who have disabilities, children in foster care, families experiencing homelessness, and families receiving certain types of public assistance. Children from birth to age five who are from families with incomes below the poverty guidelines are eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services. Children from homeless families, and families receiving public assistance such as TANF or SSI are also eligible. Foster children are eligible regardless of their foster family’s income.
To locate your nearest head start program, click here.
Quality First Scholarships
Quality First scholarships help low-income families afford quality early care and education for their young children. Visit the First Things First website for more information.
State Funded Preschool Programs
The Arizona Department of Education, Early Childhood Education receives federal funding and administers public preschool and early childhood special education programs throughout the state.
To learn more about their programs, click here.
The Arizona Department of Economic Security Division of Child Care with funding from the federal Child Care Development Block Grant administers the state child care financial assistance program. To learn more about the program and determine if you may be eligible, please visit our Child Care Eligibility and Assistance page.
Early Head Start/Head Start
Early Head Start serves children from birth to 2 years old and Head Start serves children ages 3-5 years old. These programs provide a wide range of services to support children’s development and work with families to help support their children.
These federally funded programs and are in every state, territory, and many tribal communities. Families with incomes at or below the poverty level may be eligible for Head Start services. Special consideration is given to children who have disabilities, children in foster care, families experiencing homelessness, and families receiving certain types of public assistance. Children from birth to age five who are from families with incomes below the poverty guidelines are eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services. Children from homeless families, and families receiving public assistance such as TANF or SSI are also eligible. Foster children are eligible regardless of their foster family’s income.
To locate your nearest head start program, click here.
Quality First Scholarships
Quality First scholarships help low-income families afford quality early care and education for their young children. Visit the First Things First website for more information.
State Funded Preschool Programs
The Arizona Department of Education, Early Childhood Education receives federal funding and administers public preschool and early childhood special education programs throughout the state.
To learn more about their programs, click here.
State Or Federal Tax Credits
Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
This tax credit helps families pay for child care for children under the age of 13 if the parents are working, or are looking for work. Parents who are full-time students can also claim the credit. Qualifying care includes child care centers, family child care homes, and care provided by paid friends or relatives, as long as the relative is not a dependent of the taxpayer. The size of the credit depends on the number of children in care, your family income, and the amount you paid for child care during the tax year. There are limits on the credit given for one child and two or more children.
This tax credit helps families pay for child care for children under the age of 13 if the parents are working, or are looking for work. Parents who are full-time students can also claim the credit. Qualifying care includes child care centers, family child care homes, and care provided by paid friends or relatives, as long as the relative is not a dependent of the taxpayer. The size of the credit depends on the number of children in care, your family income, and the amount you paid for child care during the tax year. There are limits on the credit given for one child and two or more children.
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
A refundable tax credit for low- and moderate-income families, particularly those with children, the EITC is based on family income and the number of children in the family. Both single and two-parent families are entitled to the credit, as long as one parent is employed.
A refundable tax credit for low- and moderate-income families, particularly those with children, the EITC is based on family income and the number of children in the family. Both single and two-parent families are entitled to the credit, as long as one parent is employed.
Federal Child Tax Credit
If you paid someone to care for your child, spouse, or dependent last year, you may be able to claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit on your federal income tax return.
For more information on the Child and Dependent Care Credit, see Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses. You may download these free publications from http://www.irs.gov or order them by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676)
If you paid someone to care for your child, spouse, or dependent last year, you may be able to claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit on your federal income tax return.
For more information on the Child and Dependent Care Credit, see Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses. You may download these free publications from http://www.irs.gov or order them by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676)
Flexible Spending Account
The federal government offers a program if your employer participates in this program and you have health insurance. A dependent care FSA helps reimburse you for the work-related cost of care for a qualifying dependent. A qualifying dependent is:
A dependent care FSA is a great way to pay for and reduce your child care expenses and lower your taxable income. Here's how it works:
The federal government offers a program if your employer participates in this program and you have health insurance. A dependent care FSA helps reimburse you for the work-related cost of care for a qualifying dependent. A qualifying dependent is:
- A tax dependent of yours who is under age 13 , or
- Any other tax dependent of yours, such as an elderly parent, who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care and has the same principle residence as you
- A spouse who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care and has the same principle residence as you
A dependent care FSA is a great way to pay for and reduce your child care expenses and lower your taxable income. Here's how it works:
- You direct part of your before-tax pay into a special account to help pay work-related dependent care costs
- You can use your account throughout the year to help pay for eligible expenses
- Your expense must be for the purpose of allowing you and, if married, your spouse to be employed
Other Types of Assistance
Employer/Corporate Supported Discounts
Some child care programs may have an agreement with your employer to offer a discount on your child care tuition. Please ask your employer if they have any programs to support your child care needs. In addition, please be sure to verify with the child care program if they accept or offer any sort of employer supported discounts.
Some child care programs may have an agreement with your employer to offer a discount on your child care tuition. Please ask your employer if they have any programs to support your child care needs. In addition, please be sure to verify with the child care program if they accept or offer any sort of employer supported discounts.
Private Scholarships
Some child care programs may receive additional funding from various funding sources to help off-set the cost of child care to qualifying families. Check with your child care program to see if they have any scholarships available.
Some child care programs may receive additional funding from various funding sources to help off-set the cost of child care to qualifying families. Check with your child care program to see if they have any scholarships available.
Sliding Fee Scales and Multi-Child Discount
Some child care programs offer adjustable rates dependent upon the income of the family and/or the number of children the family has enrolled at the child care facility or home. Check with the child care facility or home to see what is available.
Some child care programs offer adjustable rates dependent upon the income of the family and/or the number of children the family has enrolled at the child care facility or home. Check with the child care facility or home to see what is available.
