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 North Carolina

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 North Carolina

North Carolina district courts handle family matters in all 100 counties, with some counties having dedicated family court sessions. The Child Support Services Section operates under DHHS. Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Winston-Salem are the largest metros. Legal Aid of North Carolina is the primary LSC-funded statewide civil legal aid program.

15 Resources

1. NC Division of Child Development and Early Education — Free

State agency overseeing child care licensing, subsidy programs, and NC Pre-K providing information on all child care programs and regulations statewide. Fathers can use the NC Child Care Search tool to find licensed and star-rated providers. The agency also administers the NC Subsidized Child Care Program for income-eligible families. Call 919-814-6300 for program information. Located at 1915 Health Services Way, Raleigh. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Information is free and available online.

919-814-6300 · 1915 Health Services Way, Raleigh, NC 27607 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. NC Subsidized Child Care Program — Free

State-funded program helping eligible low-income families pay for child care while they work, attend school, or participate in job training. Fathers can apply through their county Department of Social Services. Eligible families may pay little or nothing for licensed child care. Call 1-800-859-0829 for eligibility information. Apply at your local county DSS. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Bring proof of income, employment or school enrollment, and child's birth certificate to your appointment.

1-800-859-0829 · Apply at local county DSS · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. NC Head Start / Early Head Start — Free

Federally funded early childhood program providing education, nutrition, health screenings, and family support for low-income children ages 0-5 and pregnant women. Fathers are actively encouraged to participate in their child's Head Start education and development. Programs are free to eligible families. Call 919-795-9473 or use the locator at headstartnc.org to find the nearest center. Statewide locations across all 100 NC counties. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm at program offices.

919-795-9473 · Statewide – use locator for nearest center · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. NC Child Care Search (Star-Rated License Lookup) — Free

Free online tool to search for licensed and star-rated child care facilities across NC. View star ratings from 1 to 5, sanitation scores, complaint history, and inspection results for any licensed provider. Fathers can compare facilities by location, age served, hours, and quality rating before enrolling a child. Available 24/7 at the NC Child Care Search website. No account required. Covers all licensed and regulated child care programs statewide. Use alongside county resource referral services.

Online statewide resource · Online 24/7

5. Child Care Resources Inc. (CCRI) - Charlotte — Free

Nonprofit helping Mecklenburg County families find quality child care by providing referrals to licensed providers, financial assistance information, and early childhood development resources. Fathers can call for a free child care referral matched to location, schedule, and budget needs. Call 704-376-6697 for referrals. Located at 4601 Charlotte Park Dr, Suite 300, Charlotte. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm. Referral services are free. Staff speak English and Spanish to serve the diverse Charlotte community.

704-376-6697 · 4601 Charlotte Park Dr, Suite 300, Charlotte, NC 28217 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Fort Liberty Child & Youth Services — Paid

On-post child development centers for military families at Fort Liberty offering full-day, part-day, and hourly care for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. Subsidized rates are based on total family income making military child care affordable. Priority enrollment is given to active duty families with deployment or work needs. Call 910-396-5128 for enrollment and availability. Located at Knox St, BLDG 1-4157, Fort Liberty. Open Mon-Fri 6:15am-5:30pm. ID card required for post access.

910-396-5128 · Knox St, BLDG 1-4157, Fort Liberty, NC 28307 · Mon-Fri 6:15am-5:30pm · Visit Website

7. Camp Lejeune Child Development Centers — Paid

Military child care for Marine families at Camp Lejeune with multiple Child Development Center locations offering full-day care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Fees are based on total family income. Priority enrollment is available for active duty Marines. Call 910-450-8467 for enrollment and availability. Located at 631 Brewster Blvd, Camp Lejeune. Open Mon-Fri 6:15am-5:30pm. Military ID and base access required. After-school and summer programs also available for school-age children.

910-450-8467 · 631 Brewster Blvd, Camp Lejeune, NC 28542 · Mon-Fri 6:15am-5:30pm · Visit Website

8. NC Child Care Resource & Referral Network — Free

Statewide network helping families in all 100 NC counties find quality child care with free referrals to licensed providers and information on financial assistance programs. Call your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency to speak with a specialist who can match you with licensed providers that fit your schedule, location, and budget. Call 919-967-3272 for statewide referral network access. Located at 1201 S Briggs Ave, Suite 200, Durham. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Referrals are free.

919-967-3272 · 1201 S Briggs Ave, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27703 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Smart Start NC — Free

Statewide network of 75 local partnerships supporting early childhood programs funding child care subsidies, quality improvement, family support, and health services for children ages 0-5. Smart Start connects fathers to local early childhood services including subsidy programs, developmental screenings, and parenting resources. Call 919-821-7999 or contact your local Smart Start partnership. Located at 1300 St Mary's St, Suite 500, Raleigh. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. All family services are free.

919-821-7999 · 1300 St Mary's St, Suite 500, Raleigh, NC 27605 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. YMCA of Greater Charlotte - Child Care — Paid

Before and after school care, summer camp, and preschool programs across multiple YMCA locations in the Charlotte metro area. Financial assistance is available for families who qualify making YMCA child care accessible regardless of income. Call 704-716-6200 for program availability and financial aid applications. Located at multiple Charlotte-area YMCA branches. Before and after school hours; summer full-day programs. Bring school enrollment records and income information to apply for financial assistance.

704-716-6200 · Multiple Charlotte-area YMCA locations · Before/after school hours; summer full day · Visit Website

11. Durham's Partnership for Children — Free

Local Smart Start partnership connecting Durham families to child care resources, subsidies, quality rating information, and family support programs. Fathers can get referrals to licensed child care providers matched to their schedule and budget, as well as help applying for child care subsidies. Call 919-681-8009 for information and referrals. Located at 1201 S Briggs Ave, Suite 200, Durham. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm. All referral and resource services are free for Durham County families.

919-681-8009 · 1201 S Briggs Ave, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27703 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

12. Wake County Smart Start — Free

Local Smart Start partnership funding quality child care, family literacy, health screenings, and parent education programs in Wake County. Fathers can access referrals to licensed providers and information about child care subsidy programs. Health screenings for children are provided through Smart Start-funded community partners. Call 919-851-4115 for information. Located at 4901 Waters Edge Dr, Suite 102, Raleigh. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm. All family resource services are free for Wake County residents.

919-851-4115 · 4901 Waters Edge Dr, Suite 102, Raleigh, NC 27606 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

13. Guilford County Partnership for Children — Free

Smart Start affiliate connecting Greensboro-area families to affordable child care, subsidy programs, quality rating information, and parenting resources in Guilford County. Fathers can get free referrals to licensed providers and assistance applying for child care subsidies. Quality coaching helps local providers improve their star ratings. Call 336-547-4700 for referrals. Located at 2602 Gate City Blvd, Greensboro. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. All referral services are free for Guilford County families.

336-547-4700 · 2602 Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27403 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

14. Child Care Services Association - Durham — Free

Statewide leader in child care workforce development and family support operating the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Scholarship program and a child care health consultant network. T.E.A.C.H. scholarships help child care workers earn degrees and credentials improving quality for enrolled children. Families benefit from higher-quality caregivers. Call 919-967-3272 for program information. Located at 1201 S Briggs Ave, Suite 200, Durham. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

919-967-3272 · 1201 S Briggs Ave, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27703 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

15. Buncombe County Smart Start — Free

Local Smart Start partnership connecting Asheville-area families in Buncombe County to affordable child care, quality improvement programs, and family support services. Fathers can receive free referrals to licensed providers, help applying for subsidies, and access parenting resources. Quality improvement coaches help child care programs raise star ratings. Call 828-250-2769 for referrals and program information. Located in Asheville. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. All family services are free.

828-250-2769 · Asheville, NC · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

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.