Families > Rates & Aid

Child Care Rates & Financial Aid

There are multiple options for help paying for child care – outlined below. Some child care providers offer scholarships, sliding fee scales and multiple child discounts. Be sure to ask your provider if that assistance is available.

The cities of Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and Kent and the Washington State Department of Social Health Services (DSHS) help low-income families pay for child care. To receive help you must be employed or in an approved training program and meet income guidelines. Families without permanent housing are also eligible for special help through Child Care Resources.

View a chart of child care rates and facilities in King county. Rate chart..

What are my options if my income is low to moderate?

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable federal income tax credit for low to moderate income working families. To find out if you are eligible follow the link below:
English
Spanish

How do I get help from the City of Seattle?

To receive help, you must live within the City of Seattle limits and meet additional requirements. The program serves children from 1 month through 12 years of age. Families choose from the over 160 child care homes and centers in King County. There may be a waiting list.
Call (206) 386-1050 during normal business hours
www.cityofseattle.net/humanservices/fys/children.htm

What if I am homeless?

Child Care Resources’ Homeless Project provides help in finding and paying for child care of homeless families, with children under 13 years old.

To qualify, families must be homeless in King County, for example in:

Emergency shelter, domestic violence shelter, or transitional housing; or motel, car, park, camping; or moving from place to place, no place to stay, or being evicted within a week.

To apply: (206) 329-5842 during business hours.

How do I get help from Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS)?

There are many Community Service offices in King County. Call Child Care Resources (206) 329-5544 for the phone number of the Community Service office nearest you. Or, check the website.
Check the DSHS website to see if you qualify

The Department of Early Learning has developed a helpful brochure describing the Working Connections Child Care subsidy, addressing eligibility, parent rights and parent responsibilities. Currently available in English, it will soon be available in Spanish as well. To see this new brochure, go to http://www.del.wa.gov/publications/subsidy/docs/WCCCbrochure.pdf

 What if I live in south or east King County?

The cities of Bellevue, Redmond, and Kent offer child care financial assistance through Child Care Resources for residents that meet income guidelines and other criteria. To find out if you qualify for this program, or to request an application, please call (206) 329-1011, ext. 267.

Child Care Financial Assistance Guidelines (PDF)
Client Application (PDF)

Links to More Information

• WA State DSHS Working Connections Child Care
• City of Seattle – Child Care Program