Finding Child Care
How Can You Pay for It?
You found a high-quality child care program and are ready to enroll your child, but how do you pay for it? Do you qualify for publicly funded programs?
Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs)
Learn more about qualifying for child care subsidy and supplemental payment programs available for families.
Child Care Works
200% of federal poverty guidelines
families with children ages birth to 12 may choose to attend a child care program based on the family or household’s school or work schedule and the state pays the program for the child care provided
a small co-pay is required from the family
Pre-K Counts
300% of federal poverty guidelines
school-day, school-year program for children ages three and four: may give preference to four year olds
Head Start
100% of federal poverty guidelines
school-day, school-year program for children ages three and four
may give preference to four year olds
Federal Poverty Guidelines
| Household | 100% | 200% | 300% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $12,760 | $25,520 | $38,280 |
| 2 | $17,240 | $34,480 | $51,720 |
| 3 | $21,720 | $43,440 | $65,160 |
| 4 | $26,200 | $52,400 | $78,600 |
| 5 | $30,680 | $61,360 | $92,040 |
| 6 | $35,160 | $70,320 | $105,480 |
| 7 | $39,640 | $79,280 | $118,920 |
| 8 | $44,120 | $88,240 | $132,360 |
* Add $4,480 for each additional person in families/households with more than eight persons.
Even if you do not qualify at the levels listed above, many programs offer their own independent scholarships or tuition assistance programs. Ask each program you are considering about financial assistance.
Be an Advocate. Join us!
After searching for an affordable high-quality program, too many families find themselves making compromises in the process. Affordable programs fill up quickly and many have long waiting lists. Simply put, there are just not enough high-quality slots to meet the needs of all families.
Start Strong PA supports children, families and the economy by advocating for increased access to and affordability of high quality child care programs. We invite you to join our effort to expand access to high-quality, affordable child care: Sign-up for advocacy action alerts.