Find help paying for a daycare or childcare near you in San Diego

We connect families to agencies with subsidized child care assistance.

Find help paying
for a daycare or child care near
you in San Diego

We connect families to agencies with subsidized child care assistance.

Get Help

Save Time

Eliminate Stress

No parent should have to choose
between rent and child care​

Unfortunately, expensive child care stops families from finding the help they need to thrive.

Without reliable child care, parents can’t work full-time or go back to school.

Parents can get help paying for child care

Subsidized child care assistance
You may qualify to get child care payments partial or fully covered.
You choose the care you want.
You are able to select a child care provider who meets your needs, whether it's a child care center, family-based child care, or a friend or family member.
Get help paying for child care
You need affordable child care you can rely on so you can focus on going back to work or school full-time.

How child care assistance works​

You fill out an application
The good news is you only need to fill out 1 application. We’ll do the rest and forward your information to the agencies for you.
1
Start looking for the child care you want
It’s important to choose your child care provider before an agency contacts you. Search for child care.
2
When funding is available, one of our partner agencies will contact you
You increase your chances of getting selected because you’re now seen by our partner agencies.
3

Do you meet one of the following
eligibility and need requirements?

You or your family member is:

OR

Participating in means-tested
government programs:

OR

Income eligibility

You’re not alone.

Meet our Agency Partners who want to help you.

We understand how frustrating it is to take care of your kids and work a full-time job. That’s why we help thousands of families afford child care and daycare so parents can go back to work or school again.

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YMCA Childcare Resource Service

At YMCA Childcare Resource Service, we believe in strengthening families and child care professionals through comprehensive supports, ensuring all children and youth reach their fullest potential.

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Child Development Associates

Since 1974, Child Development Associates has been creating opportunities for families, children, and child care providers to thrive.

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Neighborhood House Association

NHA was established in 1914, current programs range from early childhood development in Head Start to an innovative nutrition program, to health programs like HIV/AIDS case management, mental health services, and Adult Day Health Care Services, youth services, and Senior Services.

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TOOTRiS Child Care On-Demand

TOOTRiS provides real-time access to over 2,100 early education and care programs in San Diego County to support the needs of families like yours! We make finding child care easy, affordable, and dependable, providing around-the-clock enrollment support services.

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Episcopal Communtiy Services

ECS provides more than $30 million in health and human services in the areas of homelessness, mental health, substance use disorder treatment and early childhood education to more than 6,000 clients in San Diego.

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The Chicano Federation

Chicano Federation serves a diverse population with programs that help low-income children and families access vital and often life-changing services. Chicano Federation programs and services include subsidized care for infants and toddlers, early childhood education at a preschool in Barrio Logan, nutritious meals for children in family day-care homes , and affordable housing.

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Children's Home Society of California

Children’s Home Society of California’s (CHS) Family Child Care Home Education Network (FCCHEN) in San Diego County provides subsidized offers affordable child care to parents, supports the quality of licensed family child care homes, supports each child’s healthy development, and establishes relationships between children, parents, family child care providers, and CHS staff. Licensed family child care home providers receive ongoing training and technical assistance from CHS. Together, strategies and goals are discussed that will promote each child’s optimal development.

What other parents are saying

3 Frequently Asked Questions​

How do I qualify for child care assistance?
Qualifying for subsidized child care assistance is based on 3 factors: Your gross monthly income from all sources (before taxes) Family size, and need. In addition, families must live in San Diego County to qualify. See if you’re eligible, use our eligibility calculator.
1
How long will I wait?
Qualifying for subsidized child care assistance is based on 3 factors: Your gross monthly income from all sources (before taxes) Family size, and need. In addition, families must live in San Diego County to qualify. See if you’re eligible, use our eligibility calculator.
2
Can I get “bumped up” on the list?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to get “bumped up” on the list. However, if your child is in a dangerous situation or harmful environment, contact us immediately. The State grants preference to families that have an active Child Protective Services case in order to remove children from a harmful environment. We suggest the best action you can take is to keep your application information updated every 3 months so we know you’re still waiting for help with child care or daycare.
3

5 Steps to choosing child care

Download your free guide from our partners

When an agency contacts you, it’s important to already have a child care or daycare selected for your family. Use our free guide to help you choose the right child care or daycare for your family.

Get support paying for child care.

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Submit application

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Update your application

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See free resources for parents