Virginia offers several programs to help families pay for early learning and child care programs.
The Child Care Subsidy Program -The Child Care Subsidy Program assists families in paying child care costs for children 13 and younger who are not eligible to attend public school during the part of the day when public education is available, or children with special needs under age 18 who reside with the applicant. If you are eligible and are approved for services, this program can pay a portion of your child care costs directly to the child care provider. To learn more about eligibility requirements and access the program application, click here
Head Start and Early Head Start - Head Start and Early Head Start are federal programs that promote school readiness for children birth to age five. Head Start is a child-centered, family focused, comprehensive and community-based program providing high quality services to promote academic, physical, social and emotional development for income-eligible children and their families. Local Head Start programs are funded directly by the federal Office of Head Start. For more information, visit the Virginia Head Start Association.