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 New Jersey

13 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 New Jersey

New Jersey Superior Court Family Part handles family law in each of its 15 vicinages. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DHS. Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, and Trenton are the largest cities. Legal Services of New Jersey coordinates six regional LSC-funded programs covering all 21 counties.

13 Resources

1. NJ Child Care Subsidy Program — Free

NJ Child Care Subsidy Program provides state-funded childcare assistance to low-income working parents, parents in school, and parents in job training. Helps cover the cost of licensed childcare providers statewide. Call 1-800-332-9227 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Apply at your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency. Income limits apply based on household size. Bring proof of income, employment or school enrollment, and child's documents when applying for assistance.

1-800-332-9227 · Apply at your local Child Care Resource & Referral agency · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. Head Start - Camden County — Free

Head Start in Camden County provides free early childhood education and comprehensive family support services for income-eligible families with children ages birth to 5. Multiple Camden County locations through Center for Family Services. Call 856-964-1990 for enrollment information Monday through Friday. Programs include preschool education, health screenings, nutrition services, and parent engagement activities. Income eligibility typically at or below federal poverty guidelines. Enrollment is competitive; apply early for available spots.

856-964-1990 · Multiple Camden County locations · Mon-Fri (varies by center) · Visit Website

3. Head Start - Hudson County — Free

Head Start in Hudson County provides free early childhood education for income-eligible Jersey City and Hudson County families with children ages birth to 5. Comprehensive services include classroom education, nutritious meals, health screenings, dental checkups, and family support. Call 201-432-4500 for enrollment information. Multiple Hudson County locations available. Programs serve the whole family and include parent engagement and home visiting components. Income eligibility at or below federal poverty guidelines.

201-432-4500 · Multiple Hudson County locations · Mon-Fri (varies by center)

4. YMCA of Greater Newark - Childcare — Paid

YMCA of Greater Newark provides before-school care, after-school programs, preschool, and summer day camp at multiple Newark-area locations. Call 973-624-8900 for enrollment information and program schedules. Financial assistance and sliding scale fees available for eligible families. Programs serve children from infants through school age. Safe, enriching environments with educational activities, sports, and arts programming. NJ Child Care Subsidy accepted at qualifying locations for income-eligible families.

973-624-8900 · Multiple greater Newark locations · Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm (varies by location) · Visit Website

5. NJ Pre-K Expansion (Abbott Preschool) — Free

NJ Pre-K Expansion provides free, high-quality preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds in 31 former Abbott districts and expanding to additional school districts across New Jersey. Available in 31 or more participating school districts statewide. Contact your local district's main office to confirm availability and enrollment procedures. Programs operate on a school-day schedule. No income requirement in Abbott districts; all children in participating communities are eligible for free preschool through their public school district.

Available in 31+ school districts statewide · School-day schedule; varies by district · Visit Website

6. Grow NJ Kids — Free

Grow NJ Kids is New Jersey's quality rating and improvement system for childcare providers. Helps parents identify high-quality, rated programs and find the best care for their children. Call 1-877-667-9845 or search by ZIP code at grownjkids.gov 24 hours a day. Providers are rated on a 1-5 star scale based on staff qualifications, learning environment, and program quality. Free resource for all NJ families seeking licensed, quality-rated childcare options in their area.

1-877-667-9845 · Online resource — search by ZIP code · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

7. 4C's of Passaic County (Child Care) — Free

4C's of Passaic County is a child care resource and referral agency helping Passaic County parents find quality licensed childcare, understand available financial assistance, and navigate childcare subsidy programs. Located at 30 Church St in Paterson. Call 973-684-1904 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Services include a searchable childcare provider database, subsidy eligibility screening, and referrals to provider training programs. Free resource for all Passaic County families seeking childcare assistance.

973-684-1904 · 30 Church St, Paterson, NJ 07505 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

8. NJ Early Intervention System (EIS) — Free

NJ Early Intervention System provides free developmental screening and therapeutic services for children birth to 36 months with developmental delays or disabilities. Programs available in every NJ county. Call 888-653-4463 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Services provided in the home or community setting and may include speech therapy, physical therapy, and developmental support. Parents concerned about their child's development should call for a free evaluation. All services are at no cost to qualifying families.

888-653-4463 · Programs in every NJ county · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

9. Bergen County Head Start — Free

Bergen County Head Start provides free early childhood education and comprehensive family support services for income-eligible Bergen County families with young children. Multiple Bergen County locations. Call 201-336-6890 for enrollment information and program schedules. Comprehensive services include preschool education, nutritious meals, health and dental screenings, and parent engagement programming. Income eligibility at or below federal poverty guidelines. Apply early as enrollment spots are limited and competitive.

201-336-6890 · Multiple Bergen County locations · Program hours vary · Visit Website

10. Bright Horizons – NJ Employer Childcare — Paid

Bright Horizons provides back-up childcare and full-time childcare at employer-sponsored centers and partner locations across New Jersey. Call 866-854-2273 to access care through your employer's benefits program. Check with your employer's HR department to see if Bright Horizons is part of your benefits package. Back-up care helps working parents manage unexpected childcare disruptions. Full-time infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age programs available at participating NJ employer sites.

866-854-2273 · Multiple NJ employer sites · Varies · Visit Website

11. Military Child Care – NJ Installations — Paid

Military families at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and other NJ installations can access subsidized childcare through the Military Child Care program. Call 877-276-4543 or visit militarychildcare.com for availability and enrollment. Rates are subsidized based on pay grade. On-base child development centers provide full-day and part-time care for infants through school-age children. Priority enrollment for active-duty families. Background checks and training are required for all childcare providers on base.

877-276-4543 · JBMDL and other NJ installations · Mon-Fri · Visit Website

12. KinderCare – New Jersey — Paid

KinderCare is a national childcare provider with 60 or more NJ centers offering full-time and part-time care for infants through school-age children. Call 800-633-1488 or search kindercare.com to find the nearest NJ location. Centers typically open Monday through Friday 6am to 6:30pm. Tuition rates apply; NJ Child Care Subsidy accepted at participating locations. Programs include early learning curriculum, nutritious meals, and enrichment activities in a safe, licensed environment.

800-633-1488 · 60+ NJ locations · Mon-Fri 6am-6:30pm · Visit Website

13. Monmouth County Head Start — Free

Monmouth County Head Start provides free early childhood education and comprehensive family support services for income-eligible Monmouth County families with young children. Call 732-431-7460 for enrollment information and location details. Comprehensive programs include preschool education, health screenings, nutritious meals, and family engagement activities. Income eligibility at or below federal poverty guidelines. Spots are competitive; apply early to secure enrollment for the upcoming program year.

732-431-7460 · Monmouth County locations · Program hours vary

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.