What is a childcare subsidy?

A state-administered program (funded by federal CCDF) that pays a portion of childcare costs for working, training, or school-attending low-income parents. Apply through your state's lead agency. Eligibility typically up to 85% of state median income. Benefits go directly to the provider.

What's the difference between Head Start and pre-K?

Head Start is a federal program for children 3–5 from low-income families (below the Federal Poverty Level) with comprehensive services (health, nutrition, parent involvement). State pre-K is state-funded preschool, usually through public schools, with broader eligibility.

Can fathers apply for childcare assistance alone?

Yes. Childcare assistance is gender-neutral. Single fathers with custody qualify on the same terms as any other parent. If you share custody, you can still apply — you'll need the subsidy for the time the child is with you.

Where do I find quality care I can trust?

Every state has a Child Care Resource & Referral agency (CCR&R) that maintains a free database of licensed providers, quality ratings, and availability. Call your local CCR&R (find at childcareaware.org) for personalized referrals.

Childcare Assistance in Arizona

16 verified resources.

About Childcare Assistance for Fathers

Childcare assistance for US fathers includes the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) subsidy, Head Start and Early Head Start, state pre-K programs, and sliding-scale nonprofit childcare. CCDF subsidies are administered by each state's lead agency (usually the Department of Human Services or a dedicated office) and help families pay for childcare while parents work, attend school, or participate in training. Eligibility is typically up to 85% of state median income. Head Start serves children 3–5 from families below the Federal Poverty Level; Early Head Start covers birth to 3. State pre-K is free or low-cost in most states and offered through public schools and partner providers. Many community action agencies run sliding-scale childcare for working parents. For single dads, CCDF subsidies and Head Start are the two most consistent free options. This directory includes each state's CCDF office, local Head Start programs, and resource and referral agencies.

Childcare Assistance in Arizona

Arizona handles custody (called 'legal decision-making' and 'parenting time') in superior courts in all 15 counties. The Division of Child Support Services operates under DES. Maricopa County (Phoenix) runs the nation's busiest family court. Major metros include Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, and Chandler. Community Legal Services and Southern Arizona Legal Aid cover most of the state.

16 Resources

1. Arizona DES Child Care Assistance Program — Free

Arizona Department of Economic Security childcare subsidy program helping low-income working parents, parents enrolled in school, or parents in job training pay for licensed or certified childcare and after-school programs. Parents select any approved provider; the subsidy is paid directly to the provider. Apply online at healthearizonaplus.gov or at a local DES office. Applicants typically need photo ID, Social Security numbers for household, proof of income, and proof of work or school.

855-432-7587 · Apply online via Health-e-Arizona Plus or at local DES office · Online 24/7; offices Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Arizona Child Care Resource & Referral — Free

Statewide network funded through First Things First and DES helping Arizona parents find quality-rated, licensed, or certified childcare providers matching their location, hours, ages served, and cultural preferences. Staff also explain financial assistance options including DES subsidy and scholarship programs. Free to use by phone or online. No documentation required for general search; financial assistance applicants need income and employment records.

1-800-308-9000 · Statewide phone/online service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

3. Head Start - Maricopa County (MHSA) — Free

Maricopa County Human Services operates Head Start and Early Head Start programs providing free comprehensive early childhood education for income-eligible Phoenix-area families with children ages 0 to 5. Includes classroom education, health and developmental screenings, nutritious meals, family support case management, and parent leadership opportunities. Applicants typically need child's birth certificate, immunization records, proof of income, and photo ID for enrollment at a center.

602-271-0351 · Multiple Maricopa County locations · Mon-Fri (varies by center)

4. Head Start - Pima County (Child-Parent Centers) — Free

Child-Parent Centers operates Head Start and Early Head Start programs providing free comprehensive early childhood education for income-eligible Tucson-area and southern Arizona families with children ages 0 to 5. Includes classroom and home-based education, developmental screenings, nutritious meals, family services case management, and parent leadership. Bilingual Spanish-language support. Applicants need child's birth certificate, immunization records, proof of income, and photo ID.

520-838-3360 · Multiple Pima County locations · Mon-Fri (varies by center)

5. YMCA of Southern Arizona - Childcare (Tucson) — Paid

YMCA of Southern Arizona operates early learning, preschool, and school-age before-and-after-school childcare programs at YMCA branches, elementary schools, and community centers across greater Tucson. Offers summer day camps and school-break camps as well. Sliding-scale fees, DES subsidy acceptance, and scholarship assistance are available for qualifying families. Bring child's birth certificate, immunization records, photo ID, and proof of income or DES authorization to enrollment.

520-623-5511 · Multiple Tucson locations · Mon-Fri (varies by location) · Visit Website

6. Arizona Quality First — Free

Arizona's quality rating and improvement system for childcare providers, administered by First Things First. Rates participating child care centers and home-based providers on a star system (1 to 5 stars) based on classroom quality, staff qualifications, child-adult ratios, and learning environment. Parents can search the online Find a Quality Program directory by location and star rating. Enrollment costs vary by provider; participating sites may qualify for scholarships.

Online resource — search by ZIP code · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

7. Arizona First Things First — Free

Voter-established state agency funded by tobacco tax revenue that funds and coordinates early childhood development programs across 28 Arizona regional partnership councils. Supports quality childcare and preschool scholarships, prenatal and child health screenings, home visiting, family literacy, and early learning for children from birth through age 5. Does not typically serve families directly; services are delivered through community partners. Find local programs by county online.

602-771-5100 · 4000 N Central Ave, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85012 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Health-e-Arizona Plus - Child Care Assistance — Free

Official state online portal (healthearizonaplus.gov) for Arizona residents to apply for Arizona's DES Child Care Assistance Program, AHCCCS Medicaid, KidsCare, SNAP (Nutrition Assistance), TANF Cash Assistance, and other benefits. Parents can check eligibility, upload documents, and manage enrolled benefits online 24/7. A single application covers multiple programs. Required documents typically include photo ID, Social Security numbers, proof of income, and proof of Arizona residency.

855-432-7587 · Online resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

9. Head Start - Yuma County — Free

Head Start and Early Head Start programs operated in Yuma County providing free comprehensive early childhood education for income-eligible families with children ages 0 to 5. Includes classroom-based learning, developmental and health screenings, nutritious meals, and family support. Bilingual Spanish-language programming. Applicants need child's birth certificate, immunization records, proof of income, and photo ID for enrollment at a center in Yuma, Somerton, or San Luis.

928-373-6752 · Multiple Yuma County locations · Mon-Fri (varies by center)

10. Flagstaff Unified School District - Preschool — Free

Public preschool programs offered by Flagstaff Unified School District for area children ages 3 to 5, including Head Start partnerships and state-funded pre-K classrooms at select elementary schools across Flagstaff. Includes early literacy instruction, developmental screenings, and family engagement. Free or low-cost depending on program and income eligibility. Bring child's birth certificate, immunization records, proof of Flagstaff-area residency, and photo ID to enroll through the district.

928-527-6000 · Multiple Flagstaff school locations · Mon-Fri school hours · Visit Website

11. Easter Seals Blake Foundation - Child Care (Tucson) — Paid

Southern Arizona arm of Easterseals operates child development centers in the Tucson area providing inclusive childcare for children with and without disabilities ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Integrates early intervention therapies, developmental screenings, and individualized learning plans. Accepts DES childcare subsidies and private pay; scholarships may be available. Bring child's birth certificate, immunization records, any early-intervention paperwork, and photo ID for enrollment.

520-327-1529 · Multiple Tucson locations · Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm

12. Southwest Human Development - Child Care (Phoenix) — Paid

Arizona's largest early childhood nonprofit providing licensed childcare, Head Start/Early Head Start programs, developmental screenings, early intervention for children with disabilities, home visiting, parent education, and mental health services for families with young children across Maricopa County. Accepts DES subsidies, insurance, and private pay. Bring child's birth certificate, immunization records, any early-intervention paperwork, proof of income, and photo ID to enrollment or intake.

602-266-5976 · 2850 N 24th St, Phoenix, AZ 85008 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

13. Child Crisis Arizona (Mesa) — Free

Mesa-based nonprofit providing emergency childcare, foster family licensing and training, adoption services, and child abuse prevention programs including parenting classes and family strengthening across Maricopa County. Operates emergency shelter and stabilization for children in crisis, including children removed from homes by DCS. Bring photo ID and any court or DCS paperwork relevant to the child's situation. Some services are delivered at no cost, others may require insurance or referral.

480-834-9424 · 104 E Baseline Rd, Mesa, AZ 85210 · 24/7 emergency; office Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

14. Prescott Unified School District - Pre-K — Free

Public preschool programs offered by Prescott Unified School District for Prescott-area children ages 3 to 5, including state-funded pre-K and developmentally appropriate early learning at select elementary schools. Includes early literacy instruction, developmental screenings, and family engagement. Free or low-cost depending on income and program type. Bring child's birth certificate, immunization records, proof of Prescott-area residency, and photo ID to enroll.

928-445-5400 · Prescott area schools · Mon-Fri school hours · Visit Website

15. Valley Child Care & Learning Centers (Phoenix) — Paid

Chain of affordable childcare centers across the Phoenix metro providing infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age before-and-after-school care with structured early learning programs, meals, and extended hours for working parents. Accepts DES childcare subsidies and private pay; some locations offer Quality First-rated classrooms. Bring child's birth certificate, immunization records, photo ID, proof of income or DES authorization, and custody paperwork to enrollment.

602-953-1140 · Multiple Phoenix metro locations · Mon-Fri 6am-6:30pm · Visit Website

16. Head Start - Coconino County (Flagstaff) — Free

Head Start and Early Head Start programs operated in Coconino County providing free comprehensive early childhood education for income-eligible families with children ages 0 to 5 in Flagstaff, Page, Tuba City, and surrounding communities. Includes classroom or home-based education, developmental and health screenings, nutritious meals, and family support case management. Bring child's birth certificate, immunization records, proof of income, and photo ID for enrollment at a center location.

928-773-1144 · Multiple Coconino County locations · Mon-Fri (varies by center) · Visit Website

Childcare Assistance — Common Questions

What is a childcare subsidy?: A state-administered program (funded by federal CCDF) that pays a portion of childcare costs for working, training, or school-attending low-income parents. Apply through your state's lead agency. Eligibility typically up to 85% of state median income. Benefits go directly to the provider.
What's the difference between Head Start and pre-K?: Head Start is a federal program for children 3–5 from low-income families (below the Federal Poverty Level) with comprehensive services (health, nutrition, parent involvement). State pre-K is state-funded preschool, usually through public schools, with broader eligibility.
Can fathers apply for childcare assistance alone?: Yes. Childcare assistance is gender-neutral. Single fathers with custody qualify on the same terms as any other parent. If you share custody, you can still apply — you'll need the subsidy for the time the child is with you.
Where do I find quality care I can trust?: Every state has a Child Care Resource & Referral agency (CCR&R) that maintains a free database of licensed providers, quality ratings, and availability. Call your local CCR&R (find at childcareaware.org) for personalized referrals.