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 Texas

16 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 Texas

Texas district courts hear family matters across its 254 counties, with many urban counties operating dedicated family courts. The Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division runs enforcement statewide. Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and Fort Worth are the largest metros. Texas Legal Services Center, Lone Star Legal Aid, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid cover the state.

16 Resources

1. Texas Child Care Connection (TX3C) — Free

TWC's statewide portal for childcare financial assistance, launched January 2025. Families at or below 85% State Median Income may qualify for up to 12 months of subsidized childcare. Apply at childcareconnection.twc.texas.gov. Both custodial fathers and two-parent households can apply. Must be working, in school, or in an approved training program. Bring proof of income, work/school schedule, and children's birth certificates when applying for Texas childcare subsidies.

1-888-265-6461 · Online 24/7; phone Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

2. Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast — Childcare (Houston) — Free

Childcare subsidies for Harris, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties in greater Houston. Families up to 85% State Median Income who are working, in school, or in approved training may qualify. Apply through Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast. Bring proof of income, employment or school enrollment, and children's birth certificates. Single fathers and two-parent households are eligible. Call for current availability and application instructions.

(713) 334-5980 · P.O. Box 22777, Houston, TX 77227 · Mon-Fri 7 AM-7 PM (phone) · Visit Website

3. Texas Rising Star — Quality Childcare Ratings — Free

TWC's quality rating system for licensed child care programs in Texas. Programs earn 2-, 3-, or 4-star ratings for exceeding state minimum standards in areas like staff qualifications, curriculum, and learning environment. Use the online search tool at childcaretexas.com to find higher-rated providers near you. Fathers seeking quality childcare for children receiving subsidies should look for Texas Rising Star-rated providers when choosing a childcare placement.

(512) 463-2222 · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

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

Free comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and family support for income-eligible children birth to age 5. Programs in every Texas region. Head Start serves children 3-5; Early Head Start serves birth to 3. Father engagement is built into programming. Contact your local Head Start program or call 211 to find enrollment near you. Income at or below federal poverty level required for most programs. Limited slots — apply early for the upcoming program year.

1-866-763-6481 · Programs statewide · Locator 24/7; program hours vary · Visit Website

5. Texas State-Funded Pre-K (TEA) — Free

Free pre-kindergarten for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds through public school districts statewide. Eligibility includes low-income households, English language learners, foster care, military families, or homeless children. Contact your local school district to enroll for the upcoming year. Bring proof of income, residency, and the child's birth certificate and immunization records. Half-day and full-day programs available depending on district. Texas public pre-K is operated by local school districts.

Contact your local school district · Enrollment ongoing · Visit Website

6. Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) — Texas HHS — Free

Statewide program for children birth to 36 months with developmental delays or disabilities. Services are provided in the child's natural environment — home, daycare, or community — including speech, occupational, and physical therapy. Referrals accepted from parents, doctors, and anyone concerned about a child's development. Call the ECI statewide hotline or contact your local ECI program through Texas HHS. Free for qualifying families. Fathers can request evaluation for their child at any time.

Programs in every Texas county · Varies by provider · Visit Website

7. Texas Child Care Licensing Search — Free

HHS search tool to look up licensed child care facilities by name, city, or ZIP code. View inspection history, compliance records, and any violations before enrolling your child. Access the search at hhs.texas.gov/childcarelicensing. Fathers should review inspection reports for any facility they are considering. The database includes licensed childcare centers, licensed homes, registered homes, and listed homes across all Texas counties. A free and important tool for choosing safe childcare.

(512) 438-3269 · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

8. Military Child Care — MilitaryChildCare.com — Paid

DoD portal for military families to find subsidized child care at on-installation Child Development Centers. Texas installations include Fort Cavazos, Joint Base San Antonio, NAS Corpus Christi, and others. Military fathers with eligible children can access fee assistance based on total family income. Visit militarychildcare.com to search availability and apply for childcare at your Texas installation. Child Care Aware also provides off-installation fee assistance for eligible military families.

1-800-424-2248 · On-base CDCs at TX installations · Portal 24/7 · Visit Website

9. Workforce Solutions Capital Area — Childcare (Austin) — Free

Childcare subsidies for Travis County families who are working, in approved training, or enrolled in school. Income-eligible families receive financial assistance for licensed childcare in the Austin area. Apply through Workforce Solutions Capital Area. Bring proof of income, employment or school enrollment documentation, and children's birth certificates. Single custodial fathers are eligible. Call for current program availability, income guidelines, and application procedures for Travis County childcare assistance.

(512) 597-7100 · 6505 Airport Blvd, Suite 250, Austin, TX 78752 · Mon-Fri 8-5

10. Workforce Solutions Alamo — Childcare (San Antonio) — Free

Childcare financial assistance for families in Bexar and 11 surrounding counties in San Antonio. Must be working, in school, or in an approved training program to qualify. Income eligibility applies. Apply through Workforce Solutions Alamo. Bring proof of income, employment or school documentation, and children's birth certificates. Single custodial fathers are eligible. Call Workforce Solutions Alamo for current program availability and income guidelines for San Antonio area childcare subsidies.

(210) 581-1091 · 100 N Santa Rosa Ave, San Antonio, TX 78207 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

11. Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas — Childcare — Free

Childcare subsidies for Dallas County working families. Covers licensed childcare centers, family homes, and registered providers for income-eligible parents who are working, in school, or in approved training. Apply through Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas. Bring proof of income, employment documentation, and children's birth certificates. Single custodial fathers are eligible. Call Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas for current program availability, income limits, and application procedures in Dallas County.

(214) 290-1000 · Dallas County locations · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

12. Workforce Solutions Tarrant — Childcare (Fort Worth) — Free

Childcare financial assistance for Tarrant County families in the Fort Worth area. Income-eligible families working or in approved training can receive subsidized childcare. Apply through Workforce Solutions Tarrant County. Bring proof of income, employment or training documentation, and children's birth certificates. Single custodial fathers and two-parent households are eligible. Call Workforce Solutions Tarrant for current availability, income guidelines, and provider options in Fort Worth.

(817) 413-4400 · Fort Worth area locations · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

13. Pre-K 4 SA — San Antonio Public Pre-K — Free

City-funded, full-day pre-K for San Antonio 4-year-olds. Four education centers plus partner classrooms across the city. Tuition-free for qualifying families, sliding scale for others. Apply online at prek4sa.org. Income eligibility required for free enrollment. Full-day programming with high-quality curriculum, bilingual staff, meals, and family engagement. Fathers are actively welcomed as partners in Pre-K 4 SA classrooms. Contact for current enrollment period and application requirements.

(210) 206-8910 · Four centers across San Antonio · Mon-Fri, full school day · Visit Website

14. YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas — Childcare — Paid

Before and after school care, summer camps, and early learning programs across Dallas YMCA locations. Financial assistance available on a sliding scale for income-qualifying families — no child should be turned away for inability to pay. Contact your nearest DFW YMCA to inquire about enrollment and financial assistance application. Programs provide safe, enriching environments with trained staff. Fathers can apply for scholarship assistance at any time throughout the year.

(214) 880-9622 · Multiple DFW locations · Before/after school hours; summer full day · Visit Website

15. Child Inc. — Austin Head Start & Early Head Start — Free

Free Head Start and Early Head Start programs for eligible Austin-area families. Full-day, full-year care for children birth to 5 years old with nutrition, health screenings, and family services included. Father engagement is a core program component. Located across Travis County. Contact Child Inc. to apply — income at or below federal poverty level required. Limited slots available — apply early for the upcoming program year. Bilingual English and Spanish services available.

(512) 451-7361 · 611 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701 · Mon-Fri; program hours vary · Visit Website

16. Bright Horizons — Texas Employer-Sponsored Childcare — Paid

Back-up care and full-time childcare at employer-sponsored Bright Horizons centers across Texas. Check with your HR department to see if your employer participates for subsidized rates. Back-up care can be arranged on short notice when regular childcare falls through — a key benefit for working fathers. Available at employer-sponsored centers or through in-home care options in major Texas cities. Visit brighthorizons.com or ask your employer's benefits team for enrollment information.

(866) 854-2273 · Multiple Texas 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.