Child Care Subsidies & Assistance in Wyoming
Wyoming's Child Care Subsidy operates without a formal waitlist; supply scarcity (especially rural and infant/toddler) is the binding constraint. Apply via the ECARES portal launched August 2025. No state pre-K and no state Child & Dependent Care Credit (no state income tax).
Data current as of June 17, 2026
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Child care subsidy (CCDF) in Wyoming
- Program name
- Wyoming Child Care Subsidy Program
- Administered by
- Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS)
- Income ceiling
- Initial applications accepted at Step 4 or below — family income at or below 175% FPL (~$4,813/month or $57,756/year for a family of four, effective April 1, 2026). Continuing families may remain enrolled through Step 5 (≤200% FPL) and Step 6 (≤225% FPL for Emergency Assistance cases). The absolute maximum is 85% State Median Income (~$8,134/month or $97,608/year for a family of four). Income chart updated each April 1.
- Family fee / copay
- Sliding-scale family share based on income, family size, and authorized hours. Providers may bill families the difference between the DFS maximum reimbursement and the provider's private-pay rate, but cannot charge subsidized families more than non-subsidized families.
- Waitlist status
- No typical waitlist — Wyoming has not maintained a CCDF waitlist. Provider supply scarcity (especially infant/toddler care and rural counties) is the binding constraint on access, not subsidy capacity. Tribal nations on the Wind River Reservation (Eastern Shoshone, Northern Arapaho) operate separate tribal CCDF programs.
Income limits by family size
| Family size | Initial entry ceiling (annual, 175% FPL) | Maximum ceiling (annual, 85% SMI) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $27,936 | $50,760 |
| 2 | $37,872 | $66,372 |
| 3 | $47,808 | $81,996 |
| 4 | $57,756 | $97,608 |
| 5 | $67,692 | $113,232 |
| 6 | $77,628 | $128,844 |
| 7 | $87,576 | $131,772 |
| 8 | $97,512 | $134,700 |
- Initial entry ceiling (annual, 175% FPL): Upper bound of Step 4 from the WY DFS Sliding Fee Scale Table I, effective April 1, 2026, annualized (×12). Per the table note, 'Initial application must be at a Step 4 or below.' Families already enrolled may remain through higher transitional steps. F4 = $57,756/year ≈ 175% × $33,000 (2026 FPL).
- Maximum ceiling (annual, 85% SMI): 85% of the 2026 Wyoming State Median Income per Table I, effective April 1, 2026, annualized (×12). Absolute maximum income for program participation. F4 = $97,608/year. Ratios confirmed via LIHEAP household-size adjustment schedule (52/68/84/100/116/132/135/138% of F4).
Wyoming DFS — Child Care Sliding Fee Scale, Table I, effective April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027 (dfs.wyo.gov). The table shows monthly gross income bands by household size at Steps 1–6 (100%–225% FPL) plus a final 85% State Median Income row. Column 1 (175% FPL) is the upper bound of Step 4, which is the maximum income for initial applications (note in table: 'Initial application must be at a Step 4 or below'). Column 2 (85% SMI) is the absolute maximum ceiling shown in the table. Monthly values annualized (×12). Cross-check: Column 1 ratios follow 2026 HHS FPL schedule (175% × F4=$33,000 = $57,750 ≈ $57,756 ✓). Column 2 F1–F8 ratios vs. F4 match LIHEAP household-size adjustment ratios exactly (52/68/84/100/116/132/135/138%), confirming 2026 WY State Median Income as the basis. Transitional Steps 5 (≤200% FPL) and 6 (≤225% FPL, EAs only) sit between the two columns but are not shown separately. Effective April 1, 2026; check the state portal for the latest figures.
State pre-K in Wyoming
Wyoming does not currently operate a state-funded pre-K program. Eligible families may still qualify for Head Start or Early Head Start.
State tax credits & extras in Wyoming
- State CDCC
- Wyoming does not offer a state Child and Dependent Care Credit. Wyoming has no state personal income tax. The federal CDCC (claimed on IRS Form 2441) is the only income-tax-based child care credit Wyoming families can use.
Where to apply or get help in Wyoming
- Find a licensed daycare in WyomingChildery directory — quality ratings, ZIP & city search
- Wyoming child care portaldfs.wyo.gov/services/family-services/child-care/
- Eligibility screenerchildcare.dfs.wyo.gov/home/
- Wyoming 211 (dial 2-1-1)www.wyo211.org/
- Wyoming Child Care Subsidy — DFSdfs.wyo.gov/services/family-services/child-care/
- Wyoming Quality Counts (in development; not yet producing public ratings)wyqualitycounts.org/
- Federal childcare.gov — Wyoming resourceswww.childcare.gov/state-resources/wyoming/financial-assistance-resources-for-families
Find a daycare in Wyoming
Once you know what you qualify for, Childery's directory helps you pick a provider. Browse Wyoming's licensed daycares with independent Process and Structural quality ratings, or search by ZIP code or city.
Browse Wyoming daycaresSources
- Wyoming DFS Child Care Sliding Fee Scale Table I (effective April 1, 2026) (2026)
- Wyoming DFS Child Care Subsidy
- ECARES parent portal (CCX Landing and Pre-Screener)
- DFS ECARES provider hub
- WY DFS Child Care Subsidy Policy Manual
- NIEER 2023 Wyoming profile (no state pre-K) (2023)
- Federal childcare.gov — Wyoming 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.