Childcare Assistance in Georgia

15 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 Georgia

Georgia superior courts hear divorce and custody in each of its 159 counties. The Division of Child Support Services under DHS handles enforcement. Atlanta anchors the state; Savannah, Augusta, Columbus, and Athens round out major metros. Atlanta Legal Aid and Georgia Legal Services Program are the two primary civil legal aid organizations, with specific fathers' rights and child support help available.

15 Resources

1. CAPS – Childcare and Parent Services (Georgia) — Free

Georgia's childcare subsidy program for low-income working parents. Helps pay for licensed childcare so parents can work or attend school. Apply at Georgia Gateway at gateway.ga.gov or call CAPS at 1-833-442-2277. Income limits and work requirements apply. Bring proof of employment or school enrollment, proof of income, and the child's birth certificate to your application. Subsidies are paid directly to approved childcare providers across the state.

1-833-442-2277 · Statewide – apply online or through DECAL · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm; online 24/7 · Visit Website

2. Georgia Pre-K Program — Free

Free full-day pre-K for all Georgia 4-year-olds regardless of income or family background. One of the nation's oldest and most highly rated state-funded pre-K programs. Apply at your local Pre-K site in the spring for fall enrollment. Classes are held at public schools, private centers, and licensed childcare facilities. Call 404-656-5957 or visit decal.ga.gov/PreK to find a program near you. No income documentation required to enroll.

404-656-5957 · Statewide (apply at local Pre-K site) · School year; apply in spring for fall enrollment · Visit Website

3. Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) — Free

State agency overseeing childcare licensing, CAPS subsidies, Georgia Pre-K, and the Quality Rated childcare star-rating system. DECAL licenses and inspects all childcare centers and homes in Georgia. Fathers looking for licensed childcare or information about subsidies can visit decal.ga.gov or call 404-656-5957 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. Located at 2 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SE, Suite 754, in Atlanta. The DECAL website includes a searchable provider database.

404-656-5957 · 2 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SE, Suite 754, Atlanta, GA 30334 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Visit Website

4. Quality Rated Georgia – Provider Search — Free

Search for highly rated childcare providers near you using Georgia's Quality Rated star-rating system for licensed childcare centers and homes. Providers earn 1–3 stars based on staff qualifications, environment, and program quality. Search free at qualityrated.org or by calling 404-656-5957. Higher-star providers typically offer better educational environments for young children. CAPS subsidy recipients may receive a bonus for choosing a highly rated provider.

404-656-5957 · Online statewide resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

5. Georgia Childcare Licensing Search — Free

Look up any licensed childcare center or family childcare home in Georgia, including recent inspection reports and compliance history. Search free online at decal.ga.gov/BCS by facility name, county, or address. Verify that a provider is currently licensed and review any past violations before enrolling your child. Available 24/7. Call 404-657-5562 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm for assistance with the licensing lookup or to report a concern about a provider.

404-657-5562 · Online statewide resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

6. Military Childcare – Child Development Centers (CDC) — Paid

Military families in Georgia can access on-post childcare at Child Development Centers at Fort Stewart, Fort Eisenhower, Dobbins ARB, and Moody AFB installations. Programs serve infants through school-age children with structured early learning and care. Priority enrollment is based on family need. Fees are based on total family income. Call 1-877-276-4543 or visit militarychildcare.com to search for availability and register at your installation's CDC.

1-877-276-4543 · Fort Stewart, Fort Eisenhower, and other GA installations · Mon–Fri (hours vary by base) · Visit Website

7. YMCA of Metro Atlanta – Childcare — Paid

Before and after school care, summer camps, and early learning programs at 20+ YMCA locations across metro Atlanta. Financial assistance is available for families who qualify, reducing or eliminating fees. Programs are licensed by DECAL and many participate in CAPS subsidy. Call 404-588-9622 or visit ymcaatlanta.org to find the nearest YMCA with childcare services and to inquire about financial assistance and current program availability.

404-588-9622 · Multiple metro Atlanta locations · Before/after school; full day summer · Visit Website

8. Child Care Resource & Referral – Metro Atlanta (CCRA) — Free

Free childcare search assistance, subsidy screening, and parent education for metro Atlanta families. CCRA specialists help parents find licensed childcare options and navigate the CAPS subsidy application process. Located at 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W406, in Atlanta. Call 404-479-4200 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. Fathers re-entering the workforce who need childcare support can call for personalized referrals to licensed providers and available financial assistance programs.

404-479-4200 · 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W406, Atlanta, GA 30338 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

9. Child Care Resource & Referral – Coastal Georgia (Savannah) — Free

Free childcare referrals and subsidy information for families in the Savannah and coastal Georgia region. Specialists help parents locate licensed childcare centers and family homes and determine eligibility for CAPS childcare subsidies. Call 912-238-2777 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. Located in Savannah. Fathers needing childcare while working or attending school can get personalized referrals and guidance on navigating the Georgia CAPS application process.

912-238-2777 · Savannah, GA · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

10. Sheltering Arms – Atlanta Early Learning — Paid

Major Atlanta nonprofit providing high-quality early childhood education for low-income families at multiple centers across metro Atlanta. Programs serve children from 6 weeks to 5 years old with a focus on school readiness and whole-child development. Accepts CAPS subsidies and Head Start funding. Located at 99 Peachtree Memorial Dr NW in Atlanta. Call 404-523-2671 Mon–Fri 6:30am–6pm for program availability and enrollment information.

404-523-2671 · 99 Peachtree Memorial Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 · Mon–Fri 6:30am–6pm

11. YMCA of Coastal Georgia – Childcare (Savannah) — Paid

Childcare, after-school programs, and summer camps at Savannah-area YMCA locations. Financial assistance is available for qualifying families to help offset program costs. Programs are licensed and accept CAPS childcare subsidies. Call 912-354-6223 or visit ymcaofcoastalga.org for current program offerings and hours. Fathers in the Savannah area who need before and after school care or summer childcare can inquire about availability and financial aid options.

912-354-6223 · Savannah, GA · Program hours vary · Visit Website

12. Early Head Start – Fulton County (Atlanta) — Free

Free comprehensive early childhood program for income-eligible families with infants and toddlers from birth to age 3 in Fulton County. Early Head Start provides weekly home visits, group socialization, developmental screenings, and parent education. Income eligibility is required. Call 404-613-1600 Mon–Fri for enrollment information. Fathers are actively encouraged to participate in all program activities. Visit fultoncountyga.gov for program locations and current enrollment openings.

404-613-1600 · Fulton County, GA · Mon–Fri; program hours vary · Visit Website

13. Georgia Early Intervention Program (Babies Can't Wait) — Free

Statewide program for Georgia children from birth to 36 months with developmental delays or disabilities. Free evaluation, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and service coordination provided in every Georgia county. Call 888-651-8224 or contact your county health department to request an evaluation. Services are at no cost to the family. Bring your child's medical records and a description of your developmental concerns to the initial evaluation appointment.

888-651-8224 · Programs in every Georgia county · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

14. Bright Horizons – Georgia Employer-Sponsored Childcare — Paid

Back-up care and full-time childcare at employer-sponsored centers in the Atlanta metro area. Bright Horizons operates childcare centers for employees of many large Atlanta-area employers. Check with your HR department to see if your employer participates. Back-up care is also available in a pinch when regular childcare falls through. Call 866-854-2273 or visit brighthorizons.com to check employer participation and explore care options.

866-854-2273 · Multiple GA employer sites · Varies by center · Visit Website

15. KinderCare Learning Centers – Georgia — Paid

National childcare chain with 40+ centers across Georgia offering programs for infants through school-age children. Tuition assistance and employer subsidies are available at many locations. Accepts CAPS childcare subsidies for qualifying families. Open Mon–Fri 6am–6:30pm at most centers. Call 800-633-1488 or visit kindercare.com to find the nearest Georgia center, check tuition rates, and inquire about enrollment availability and financial assistance options.

800-633-1488 · 40+ Georgia locations · Mon–Fri 6am–6:30pm · 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.