
After your baby is born you may need to find someone to take care of your child while you go back to work or school. The first years of a child’s life are critical for healthy development so finding high quality and affordable child care is important. There are many types of child care ranging from large child care centers to small family-like settings. It is important that you choose the option that works best for your family and meets your child’s needs.
Washington State licenses or certifies two types of child day care:
There are some types of care that do not require a license in the State of Washington:
To find a child care provider in your area or read about what to look for in a child care provider, go to the Washington State Child Care Resource & Referral Network.
If you live in King County, you may also visit Child Care Resources.
Washington State has a program called Working Connections Childcare that helps low-income families pay for childcare so parents can work, look for a job, or enroll in a job training program.
Some families that apply for WCCC may be on a waiting list:
175% Federal Poverty Level
| Family Size | Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1,588 |
| 2 | $2,145 |
| 3 | $2,478 |
| 4 | $2,701 |
| 5 | $3,259 |
| 6 | $3,816 |
| 7 | $4,372 |
| 8 | $4,931 |
| 9 | $5,555 |
| 10 | $6,179 |
Income Guidelines effective April 1, 2011
If you live within the city limits of Seattle and your income is over the income guidelines listed above, you may qualify for the Child Care Assistance Program. A family of 4 can earn up to $5,514 per month and qualify for help paying for child care. If enrollment in this program is full, there may be a waiting list.
If you are a resident of Bellevue, Redmond, or Kent and your income is over the income guidelines listed above, you may qualify for the Child Care Resources Financial Assistance Program. A family of 4 can earn up to $5,367 per month and qualify for help paying for child care.
To find out if you qualify for this program, or to request an application, please call
Child Care Resources (206) 329-1011, ext. 267.