Community Action – Head Start RI

Childcare Assistance · Rhode Island · Free

Free preschool and Early Head Start programs through Rhode Island community action agencies, including Comprehensive Community Action Program in Cranston and Providence-area sites. Fathers can enroll children and attend parent meetings, literacy nights, and home visits. Call during business hours to find the nearest program. Bring photo ID, child's birth certificate, immunization records, and proof of income and residency to the application meeting.

Contact & Details

Address: Providence, RI 02903

Phone: 401-351-2750

Hours: Mon-Fri varies

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 Rhode Island

Rhode Island Family Court is a statewide system handling all divorce, custody, paternity, and child support cases. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DHS. Providence, Warwick, Cranston, and Pawtucket are the largest cities. Rhode Island Legal Services is the statewide LSC-funded civil legal aid program.

More Childcare Assistance in Rhode Island

  • RI Child Care Resource & Referral — Statewide resource and referral service that helps Rhode Island families find quality licensed child care, including infant, toddler, presch
  • RI Head Start — Free early childhood education, health screenings, and family support for income-eligible Rhode Island families with children ages three to
  • BrightStars – RI Quality Ratings — Rhode Island's official quality rating and improvement system for child care, preschool, and school-age programs, giving fathers and familie
  • Warwick Child Care Programs — Early learning and child care resources for Warwick families coordinated through city and community partner programs. Fathers can learn abou
  • Newport Child Care Programs — Early childhood education and child care resources for Newport families coordinated through city and community partner agencies. Fathers can
  • Pawtucket Head Start — Free preschool and family support services for income-eligible Pawtucket families through Head Start, with classroom, home-visiting, and fam

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.