Financial Assistance for Child Care

Children's Home Society - for children ages 0-12 years

Children’s Home Society of California (CHS) and the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) offer a Child Care Payment Program which provides help paying for child care for income eligible families. Parents are able to choose a child care provider that meets the needs of their family. Families may be eligible if parents meet income requirements and have one or more qualifying needs for services:

  • Are working or attending school
  • Are seeking employment
  • Are experiencing homelessness
  • Are incapacitated
  • The child is at risk of abuse or neglect (requires referral)

Completion of an Eligibility Questionnaire (EQ) begins the process to determine your eligibility for both CHS and OCDE. Eligibility is based on your gross monthly income and family size. To learn more or to apply for child care assistance please, click here.

CalWORKS

CalWORKs is California’s name for the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. It gives people with kids in the home a monthly cash benefit, help finding work, and other helpful services. CalWORKs stands for California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids. Eligibility will depend on things like your household income, resources, and age. Cash aid and employment help are the main parts of the CalWORKs program, but there are many services to support your family. CalWORKs can help you with child care costs, with an approved employment or education plan. The dollar amount depends on things like the number of hours of care needed and the location. The dollar amount is provided by the county, but you can choose the child care provider. You can either choose a provider from an approved list or you can complete paperwork to approve a family member or friend. To learn more or to apply please, click here.

State Preschool - for children ages 3-5 years

The State Preschool program offers part-time preschool and state-subsidized childcare services to eligible families. Parents qualify for child care by meeting income and need guidelines. Parents must be employed, in training or seeking employment. Child care fees are based on a sliding scale, with funding support from the California Department of Education. For more information visit the Early Childhood Learning Center website here or call 949-936-5890.

In-House Scholarships

Some child care centers provide in-house scholarships as funds are available. When contacting a center, please ask if they have any financial assistance available.

Irvine Child Care Project - for elementary age children attending an Irvine Unified School District school

The Irvine Child Care Project provides scholarships to income-eligible families which provides help paying for your child to attend an ICCP child care program.  An ICCP child care program is located on each Irvine Unified School District elementary campus.

Please click here to learn more.

Financial Assistance for City of Irvine After School Programs

The City of Irvine has scholarship funding available that may be used for recreational activities offered through the Community Services Department including Kindy Cove, Kids Club, and seasonal camps. Learn more here. 

Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) 

Free after school, summer, or intersession learning programs operating on each Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) elementary campus. To qualify for ELOP, the student must be part of IUSD’s Unduplicated Count which includes: Free and Reduced Meal Program; Foster Youth/Homeless; English Learners. For more information, please click here.