Child Care Subsidies & Assistance in Rhode Island
Rhode Island CCAP covers families up to 261% FPL at entry (raised Jan 2025) and 300% FPL transitionally. Copays capped at 7% of income. Child care workers get copay-free CCAP up to 300% FPL via a 2028 pilot. State CDCC is 25% of federal, non-refundable.
Data current as of May 21, 2026
Child care subsidy (CCDF) in Rhode Island
- Program name
- Starting RIght Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
- Administered by
- Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS)
- Income ceiling
- Initial eligibility up to 261% of the federal poverty level (raised from 200% FPL effective January 1, 2025). Continuing eligibility up to 300% FPL via Transitional Child Care at redetermination.
- Family fee / copay
- Sliding scale between 2% and 7% of gross household income, capped at 7%. One copay per family regardless of number of children. The federal 2024 Final Rule caps the family fee at 7% of family income.
- Waitlist status
- No typical waitlist — No formal waitlist — CCAP operates as entitlement-style for eligible families. Activity requirement: working or in approved education/training at least 20 hours per week. Children eligible from one week old through age 12 (extended to 18 with documented disability or special needs).
- Apply
- healthyrhode.ri.gov/
State pre-K in Rhode Island
- Program name
- Rhode Island Pre-K
- Administered by
- Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE); mixed-delivery via Head Start, public schools, and community-based providers
- Access
- Limited / pilot
- Eligibility
- Children must be 4 years old by September 1 and reside in a participating community (20 communities in SY 2026-27). No income test. Admission is by lottery — applications for 2026-27 closed June 22, 2026.
- Coverage
- Approximately 2,800 seats for 4-year-olds across 20 communities in SY 2026-27 — capacity-limited and not universal. Rhode Island Pre-K meets all 10 of 10 NIEER quality benchmarks. Governor McKee's stated goal is 5,000 seats by FY28.
State tax credits & extras in Rhode Island
- State CDCC
- Non-refundable. 25% of the federal CDCC. Non-refundable (mirrors the federal CDCC). Per the Economic Progress Institute, the credit is up to $525 for lower-income filers and $300 for higher-income filers. Filed with the RI Division of Taxation.
Other state programs and credits
- CCAP for Child Care Educators Pilot (218-RICR-20-00-13)Child care workers employed at least 20 hours per week qualify for CCAP up to 300% FPL with no copay. Pilot is accepting applications through July 31, 2028.
Where to apply or get help in Rhode Island
- Find a licensed daycare in Rhode IslandChildery directory — quality ratings, ZIP & city search
- Rhode Island child care portaldhs.ri.gov/programs-and-services/child-care
- Eligibility screenerhealthyrhode.ri.gov/
- Combined benefits applicationhealthyrhode.ri.gov/
- Rhode Island 211 (dial 2-1-1)www.211ri.org/
- Apply via HealthyRhode portalhealthyrhode.ri.gov/
- Rhode Island Pre-K Lotteryripreklottery.ride.ri.gov/
- Federal childcare.gov — Rhode Island resourceschildcare.gov/state-resources/rhode-island
Find a daycare in Rhode Island
Once you know what you qualify for, Childery's directory helps you pick a provider. Browse Rhode Island's licensed daycares with independent Process and Structural quality ratings, or search by ZIP code or city.
Browse Rhode Island daycaresSources
- RI CCAP Family Eligibility — DHS
- DHS press release — CCAP eligibility raised to 261% FPL (FY25 budget) (2025)
- 218-RICR-20-00-13 — CCAP for Child Care Staff Pilot (2025)
- Economic Progress Institute — CDCTC reference (RI 25% non-refundable)
- Rhode Island Pre-K Lottery SY 2026-27 (RIDE) (2026)
- Federal childcare.gov — Rhode Island 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.