Back-up childcare and full-time early education services at employer-sponsored centers and affiliated partner sites across Virginia. Many large Virginia employers partner with Bright Horizons to provide subsidized care to employees when regular childcare falls through or as a full-time option. Check with your HR department to see if your employer offers Bright Horizons benefits. Call 866-854-2273 or visit brighthorizons.com to find Virginia locations and learn about available services.
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 Virginia
Virginia has Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts handling custody, visitation, and child support (for unmarried parents and modifications), plus Circuit Courts handling divorce. The Division of Child Support Enforcement operates under DSS. Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Richmond, Arlington, and Alexandria are the largest cities. Central Virginia Legal Aid, Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia, and other regional LSC programs cover the state.
More Childcare Assistance in Virginia
Virginia Quality - Child Care Rating — Virginia's quality rating and improvement system for childcare providers helping parents find and compare licensed programs by location and
Child Care Aware of Virginia — Statewide resource and referral network helping Virginia parents find quality licensed childcare providers and understand financial assistan
Head Start - Richmond (RCAP) — Free comprehensive early childhood education for income-eligible Richmond-area families with children ages 0-5. Head Start includes educatio
Head Start - Hampton Roads — Free comprehensive early childhood education for income-eligible families in the Hampton Roads area with children ages 0-5. Services include
YMCA of Greater Richmond - Childcare — Provides before and after school care, preschool programs, and summer day camps at multiple Richmond-area locations. Financial assistance is
Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) — Free state-funded preschool program for at-risk 4-year-olds across Virginia providing high-quality early childhood education in school and c
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.