Child Care Subsidies & Assistance in District of Columbia
DC's Child Care Subsidy covers families up to 300% FPL at entry and 85% SMI continuing. A waitlist reopened May 12, 2026 — only protective-services and homeless families enroll now. PK3 and PK4 universal (~95% of 4-yo). KCCATC pays $1,200 per under-4 child.
Data current as of May 21, 2026
Child care subsidy (CCDF) in District of Columbia
- Program name
- DC Child Care Subsidy Program
- Administered by
- DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)
- Income ceiling
- Family income up to 300% of the federal poverty level at entry; up to 85% State Median Income ($134,160 for a family of four) for continued eligibility. Copays apply to the family's two oldest children only and cannot increase during the 12-month eligibility period.
- Family fee / copay
- Sliding-scale parent fee effective October 25, 2024. Copay applies to the two oldest children only and is locked for the 12-month eligibility period. Many low-income families pay $0.
- Waitlist status
- Recently re-opened — DC reopened a formal waitlist on May 12, 2026. Only Priority Group 1 (children in protective services and children experiencing homelessness) is enrolling immediately; Priority Groups 2 through 6 are placed on the waitlist.
Priority groups (served first)
- Priority Group 1 — Children in protective services and children experiencing homelessness (currently enrolling)
- Priority Groups 2–6 — Waitlisted as of May 12, 2026 (see OSSE waitlist page for current order)
State pre-K in District of Columbia
- Program name
- DC Universal Pre-K (PK3 and PK4)
- Administered by
- DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE); enrollment via My School DC
- Access
- Universal
- Eligibility
- DC residents. PK3 requires the child to turn 3 by September 30; PK4 requires the child to turn 4 by September 30. No income test. Free.
- Coverage
- Approximately 95% of DC 4-year-olds enrolled in public pre-K (OSSE FY2024 Annual Pre-K Report) — one of the highest coverage rates in the United States. Apply via the unified My School DC lottery; SY26-27 application deadline was March 2, 2026.
- Apply
- www.myschooldc.org/
State tax credits & extras in District of Columbia
- State CDCC
- District of Columbia does not offer a state Child and Dependent Care Credit. DC does not offer a state Child and Dependent Care Credit. Instead, DC families with a child under age 4 can claim the refundable Keep Child Care Affordable Tax Credit (KCCATC) — see Other state programs below.
Other state programs and credits
- Keep Child Care Affordable Tax Credit (KCCATC) — up to $1,200 per eligible childRefundable DC tax credit for child care expenses paid for a dependent child under age 4 not yet in pre-K. Tax year 2025 amount is $1,200 per child (up from $1,160 in TY2024). Income limits: $180,100 for single / head of household / joint filers; $90,000 for married filing separately. Claimed on Schedule ELC with Schedule S filed on Form D-40. DC residency required.
Where to apply or get help in District of Columbia
- Find a licensed daycare in District of ColumbiaChildery directory — quality ratings, ZIP & city search
- District of Columbia child care portalosse.dc.gov/service/child-care-subsidy-program
- Eligibility screenerdata.osse.dc.gov/childcare-subsidy/
- District of Columbia 211 (dial 2-1-1)211.unitedwaynca.org/dc
- DC Child Care Subsidy waitlist status (OSSE)osse.dc.gov/subsidywaitlist
- DC Universal Pre-K — My School DC enrollmentwww.myschooldc.org/
- Keep Child Care Affordable Tax Credit (KCCATC) FAQs — DC Office of Tax and Revenueotr.cfo.dc.gov/page/keep-child-care-affordable-tax-credit-frequently-asked-questions-faqs
- DC Child Care Connections (referral help line)osse.dc.gov/service/child-care-connections
- Federal childcare.gov — DC resourceswww.childcare.gov/state-resources/district-of-columbia/financial-assistance-resources-for-families
Find a daycare in District of Columbia
Once you know what you qualify for, Childery's directory helps you pick a provider. Browse District of Columbia's licensed daycares with independent Process and Structural quality ratings, or search by ZIP code or city.
Browse District of Columbia daycaresSources
- DC Child Care Subsidy FAQ — OSSE
- DC Child Care Subsidy Waitlist — OSSE (reopened May 12, 2026) (2026)
- DC Subsidy Sliding Fee Scale (effective October 25, 2024) (2024)
- OSSE FY2024 Annual Pre-K Report (95% coverage) (2024)
- Keep Child Care Affordable Tax Credit — DC Office of Tax and Revenue
- My School DC — Universal Pre-K enrollment
- Federal childcare.gov — District of Columbia resources
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.