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 California

17 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 California

California handles custody in superior courts across all 58 counties. The Department of Child Support Services runs enforcement through local child support agencies (LCSAs) in every county. Los Angeles County operates the largest family court system in the US. Major metros include LA, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, and Sacramento. LA County's LAFLA, Bay Area Legal Aid, and Legal Aid Society of San Diego are the largest legal aid programs.

17 Resources

1. CalWORKs Stage 1 Childcare — Free

First stage of California's subsidized childcare for families receiving CalWORKs cash aid. Managed by county welfare departments, Stage 1 provides immediate childcare placement while parents begin welfare-to-work activities. No copayment for families at the lowest income levels. Apply through your county social services office. Call (916) 651-8848 for information. Single fathers on CalWORKs are eligible to apply.

(916) 651-8848 · Apply at your county social services office · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

2. CalWORKs Stage 2 & Stage 3 Childcare — Paid

Stages 2 and 3 provide ongoing subsidized childcare for families transitioning off CalWORKs cash aid. Stage 2 is managed by the county; Stage 3 is managed by CDSS through Alternative Payment agencies. Families may remain in Stage 3 as long as income stays below 85% of State Median Income. Call (916) 229-3894 for information. Contact your county alternative payment agency to apply or transfer between stages.

(916) 229-3894 · Contact your county alternative payment agency · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

3. California State Preschool Program (CSPP) — Free

Free part-day and full-day preschool for income-eligible 3- and 4-year-olds across California. Operated through local education agencies and community-based organizations statewide. Part-day programs run 3-4 hours; full-day programs available for working families. Apply at your local school district or CDSS-funded preschool. Call (916) 322-6716 for information. A valuable free option for fathers with young children.

(916) 322-6716 · Apply at your local school district · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

4. Head Start & Early Head Start — California — Free

Federally funded comprehensive early childhood program for low-income children birth to age 5 and pregnant women. Provides free education, health screenings, nutrition, and family support. Over 150 Head Start grantees in California serve 80,000+ children annually. Apply at your local Head Start agency — call (866) 763-6481 or visit headstartca.org to find the nearest program. Fathers are actively involved in programming.

(866) 763-6481 · P.O. Box 268, Citrus Heights, CA 95611 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

5. California Transitional Kindergarten (TK) — Free

Free public school program for children turning 5 between September 2 and April 2, providing an additional year of schooling between preschool and kindergarten in California public schools. No income requirements — available to all eligible children statewide. Call (916) 319-0800 or visit cde.ca.gov for information. Enroll at your local public elementary school. A full year of structured early education at no cost to families.

(916) 319-0800 · Enroll at your local public school · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

6. Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) — California — Free

Statewide network of 56+ local Resource and Referral agencies providing free childcare search assistance, subsidy eligibility screening, and consumer education across California. Call your local R&R to find licensed childcare in your area. Also provides free professional development for childcare providers. Call (916) 657-2144 for your nearest agency. Every California county is served by at least one R&R agency.

(916) 657-2144 · 1715 T Street, Sacramento, CA 95811 · Mon-Fri 8-5 (local agencies vary)

7. California Child Care Licensing Search — CDSS — Free

Official California state database to verify licensing and inspection history of all licensed childcare facilities including family daycares, childcare centers, and preschools. Search by facility name, address, or license number at ccld.dss.ca.gov. Available 24/7 at no cost. An essential tool for fathers evaluating childcare options — review inspection reports and any compliance history before enrolling your child.

(916) 229-4500 · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

8. Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) — Paid

Department of Defense program providing fee assistance to military families who cannot access on-installation childcare. Eligible active duty, National Guard, and Reserve families receive subsidies for off-base licensed childcare in California and nationwide. Apply through militaryonesource.mil or call 1-800-342-9647. Available 24/7. A key resource for military fathers stationed at California bases needing affordable childcare options.

1-800-342-9647 · 24/7 Military OneSource line · Visit Website

9. California Alternative Payment Program (CAPP) — Paid

CDSS-funded program providing childcare subsidies to income-eligible working families who do not receive CalWORKs cash aid. Parents choose their own licensed or license-exempt provider. Sliding-scale parent fees based on income. Apply through your local CAPP agency or county. Call (916) 657-2144 for your nearest agency. Income must be below 85% of State Median Income to qualify. Working fathers may apply.

(916) 657-2144 · Contact your county CAPP agency · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

10. Child Care Counts — First 5 California — Free

First 5 California's initiative supporting early childhood education and childcare quality statewide. Provides information on childcare subsidies, provider quality ratings, and family navigation services. County First 5 commissions fund local childcare and family support programs for children ages 0-5. Call (916) 263-1050 or visit first5california.com. A gateway to finding quality early education resources in your California county.

(916) 263-1050 · 2399 Gateway Oaks Dr., Suite 120, Sacramento, CA 95833 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

11. YMCA of San Francisco — Early Learning — Paid

Affordable childcare, preschool, and school-age before/after programs across Bay Area YMCA locations in San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo counties. Financial assistance and sliding-scale fees available for qualifying families. Call (415) 777-9622 or visit ymcasf.org for enrollment information. Full-day preschool programs accept children ages 3-5. After-school care available at many Bay Area school sites.

(415) 777-9622 · Multiple Bay Area locations · Before/after school; full-day preschool · Visit Website

12. LA County Office of Education — Head Start/Early Head Start — Free

Free comprehensive early childhood program through LA County Office of Education for income-eligible families with children birth through age 5. Multiple Head Start and Early Head Start centers across Los Angeles County. Provides free education, health screenings, nutrition, and family support services. Call (562) 922-6111 or visit lacoe.edu to find your nearest center and apply. Programs operate Monday-Friday during school hours.

(562) 922-6111 · 9300 Imperial Hwy., Downey, CA 90242 · Mon-Fri; program hours vary · Visit Website

13. Crystal Stairs Inc. — LA Childcare Subsidy — Free

Alternative payment agency administering childcare subsidies in South Los Angeles, Compton, Inglewood, and the LAX corridor. Helps working families including single fathers access affordable licensed childcare through the state subsidy program. Call (323) 421-1100 or visit crystalstairs.org for eligibility and enrollment. Located on Goldleaf Circle in LA. Income eligibility required. Accepts most licensed and license-exempt providers.

(323) 421-1100 · 5110 Goldleaf Circle, Suite 150, Los Angeles, CA 90056 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

14. Children's Council of San Francisco — R&R — Free

San Francisco's primary child care Resource and Referral agency. Provides free childcare search assistance, subsidy eligibility screening, and enrollment support for San Francisco families. Call (415) 343-3300 or visit childrenscouncil.org for help finding licensed care. Located on Church Street in SF. Open Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm. Helps families navigate CalWORKs, CAPP, and other subsidized childcare programs.

(415) 343-3300 · 445 Church St., San Francisco, CA 94114 · Mon-Fri 8:30-5 · Visit Website

15. 4Cs of San Diego County — Childcare R&R — Free

Resource and Referral agency for San Diego County providing free childcare search assistance, subsidy eligibility screening, and family navigation services. Call (800) 481-2151 for help finding licensed care in your area. Located on Balboa Avenue in San Diego. Helps families apply for CalWORKs childcare, CAPP subsidies, and other funded programs. Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. Bilingual Spanish services available.

(800) 481-2151 · 4344 Balboa Ave., San Diego, CA 92117 · Mon-Fri 8-5

16. Child Action Inc. — Sacramento Childcare R&R — Free

Sacramento County's Resource and Referral agency providing free childcare search assistance, subsidy enrollment support, and family navigation services. Call (916) 369-0191 or visit childaction.org. Located in Sacramento on Business Park Drive. Helps families apply for CalWORKs childcare, CAPP subsidies, and other funded programs. Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. Also provides professional development for childcare providers in Sacramento County.

(916) 369-0191 · 9750 Business Park Dr., Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95827 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

17. Bright Horizons — California Employer-Sponsored Childcare — Paid

Back-up care and full-time childcare at employer-sponsored centers across California through Bright Horizons. Check if your employer participates for subsidized or discounted rates. Call (866) 854-2273 or visit brighthorizons.com. Centers offer infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age programs. Back-up care allows working parents to schedule last-minute care when regular arrangements fall through. Employer-sponsored rates significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.

(866) 854-2273 · Multiple CA employer sites · 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.