Child Care Subsidies & Assistance in Vermont
Vermont CCFAP covers families up to 575% FPL (~$172K family of 4) under Act 76 — among the most generous ceilings in the U.S. $0 share below 175% FPL. Universal Pre-K free ages 3–5. State CDCC is 72% of federal, refundable. Child Tax Credit pays $1,000 per child under 6.
Data current as of May 21, 2026
Child care subsidy (CCDF) in Vermont
- Program name
- Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP)
- Administered by
- Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF), Child Development Division
- Income ceiling
- Family income up to 575% of the federal poverty level (about $172,500 for a family of four under the 2024 federal poverty guidelines) — phased in fully on October 6, 2024 under Act 76 / H.217. Among the highest ceilings in the country. Approximately 7,983 families received CCFAP in April 2025 (Building Bright Futures), up about 48% from July 2023.
- Family fee / copay
- $0 family share for households at or below 175% FPL (about $52,000 for a family of three). Graduated copay applies above 175% FPL up to the 575% FPL ceiling. Provider reimbursement rates rose 35% on January 1, 2024 across all STARS levels.
- Waitlist status
- No typical waitlist — Vermont does not maintain a CCFAP waitlist. The Child Care Contribution (0.44% payroll tax, 75% employer / 25% employee, effective July 1, 2024) generates approximately $80 million per year; the state general fund adds about $45 million for a combined ~$125 million annual investment. Provider workforce and rural slot availability are the binding constraints, not subsidy funding.
State pre-K in Vermont
- Program name
- Universal Prekindergarten — Act 166 (2014)
- Administered by
- Vermont Agency of Education; mixed-delivery through public schools, private centers, family child care homes, and Head Start
- Access
- Universal
- Eligibility
- Children ages 3, 4, or 5 (age 3 or 4 on or before September 1 of the program year) not yet in kindergarten. No income test. Free.
- Coverage
- 10 hours per week for 35 weeks per year, publicly funded. SY 2025-26 state rate: $3,982 per child. CCFAP can wrap around the Act 166 hours; Act 166 hours are deducted from the CCFAP authorization.
State tax credits & extras in Vermont
- State CDCC
- Refundable. 72% of the federal CDCC. Refundable Vermont Child and Dependent Care Credit. Claimed on Schedule IN-112; auto-qualifies if you claim the federal CDCC. One of the most generous state CDCC matches in the U.S.
Other state programs and credits
- Vermont Child Tax Credit — refundable $1,000 per child age 6 or youngerRefundable state credit. Full $1,000 per qualifying child at AGI of $125,000 or less; phases out at 2% per $1,000 of AGI above that, fully phased out at $175,000.
Where to apply or get help in Vermont
- Find a licensed daycare in VermontChildery directory — quality ratings, ZIP & city search
- Vermont child care portaldcf.vermont.gov/cdd
- Eligibility screenerdcf.vermont.gov/cdd/financial-assistance/ccfap
- Vermont 211 (dial 2-1-1)vermont211.org/
- Apply for CCFAPdcf.vermont.gov/cdd/financial-assistance/ccfap
- Universal Act 166 Pre-Kwww.vtpublicprek.info/act-166
- Vermont Child Care Contribution (payroll tax)tax.vermont.gov/business/child-care-contribution
- VT Tax Creditstax.vermont.gov/individuals/personal-income-tax/tax-credits
- Federal childcare.gov — Vermont resourceschildcare.gov/state-resources/vermont
Find a daycare in Vermont
Once you know what you qualify for, Childery's directory helps you pick a provider. Browse Vermont's licensed daycares with independent Process and Structural quality ratings, or search by ZIP code or city.
Browse Vermont daycaresSources
- Act 76 / H.217 — Child Care Financial Assistance Expansion (2023)
- CCFAP income guidelines increase — DCF announcement (2024)
- Vermont Child Care Contribution — Tax Department
- Vermont Personal Income Tax Credits (CDCC, CTC, EITC)
- Vermont Universal Pre-K (Act 166) — VT Agency of Education
- Federal childcare.gov — Vermont 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.