Child Care Subsidies & Assistance in Delaware

Delaware's Purchase of Care covers families up to 200% FPL at entry (~$64,000 family of 4, raised from 185% in Oct 2025), copay waived below 150% FPL. State CDCC is non-refundable at 50% of federal. ECAP pre-K is income-targeted.

Data current as of May 21, 2026

Child care subsidy (CCDF) in Delaware

Program name: Purchase of Care (POC)
Administered by: Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Division of Social Services
Income ceiling: Family income up to 200% of the federal poverty level at entry (raised from 185% effective October 1, 2025), with graduated phase-out extending to 300% FPL during the 12-month continued-eligibility window. Continuing eligibility up to 85% State Median Income.
Family fee / copay: Copay waived for families at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Above 150% FPL, sliding-scale copay capped at 7% of gross household income (aligned with the federal 2024 Final Rule). The federal 2024 Final Rule caps the family fee at 7% of family income.
Waitlist status: No typical waitlist — Delaware does not maintain a POC waitlist. Provider supply — especially for infants and toddlers in New Castle County — is the binding constraint on access.
Apply: assist.dhss.delaware.gov/

Income limits by family size

Family size	Income ceiling (200% FPL, annual)
1	$31,320
2	$42,312
3	$53,304
4	$64,320
5	$75,312

Income ceiling (200% FPL, annual): Maximum gross household income for new POC applicants at the entry threshold.

Monthly income limits at 200% FPL effective October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026 (federal poverty guidelines × 2). Annualized for display. Effective October 1, 2025; check the state portal for the latest figures.

Priority groups (served first)

Families receiving TANF
Children in foster care
Families experiencing homelessness

State pre-K in Delaware

Program name: Early Childhood Assistance Program (ECAP)
Administered by: Delaware Department of Education, Office of Early Learning
Access: Income-targeted
Eligibility: Free half-day preschool for children ages 3–4. Income eligibility expanded to 200% of the federal poverty level starting in the 2024-2025 school year (previously aligned with Head Start at ~100% FPL). Categorical eligibility (regardless of income) for foster children, families experiencing homelessness, TANF recipients, and children with documented disabilities.
Coverage: Operates through participating community providers; pre-enrollment opens each spring and again in August. Limited capacity — approximately 9% of Delaware 4-year-olds served (NIEER 2025 Yearbook, 2024-25 school year).
Apply: education.delaware.gov/families/birth-age-5/early_resources/child_care_options/

State tax credits & extras in Delaware

State CDCC: Non-refundable. 50% of the federal CDCC. Per 30 Del. C. § 1114. Non-refundable, so it only offsets Delaware income tax owed. House Bill 274 (introduced January 2026; passed House Revenue & Finance Committee March 2026) would raise the credit to 100% of federal but is not yet law.

Where to apply or get help in Delaware

Find a daycare in Delaware

Once you know what you qualify for, Childery's directory helps you pick a provider. Browse Delaware's licensed daycares with independent Process and Structural quality ratings, or search by ZIP code or city.

Browse Delaware daycares

Sources

Every state layers its own program on top of a federal floor — CCDF (the federal block grant), Head Start, the federal DCFSA (employer pre-tax benefit), and the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit. See the federal overview for what the floor looks like before any state adds.