Financial Assistance for City of Irvine After School Programs

To apply for funding:

Scholarships for City Classes

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 about the program and view the application by clicking here. View the catalog of classes offered here.

Child Care Payment Program

Children’s Home Society of California (CHS) offers 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. If awarded, CHS funds are able to be utilized toward the registration fees for the following City of Irvine programs: Kids Club, Kindy Cove, and staff-led seasonal camps for elementary school aged children. To learn more or apply for child care assistance please click here.

To utilize awarded funding:

Scholarships for City Classes

If awarded a scholarship for city classes, you will be notified how to utilize awarded funds to register for any recreational activity offered through the City of Irvine.

How to Utilize Third Party Subsidy for Registration Fees

The City accepts funding from Children’s Home Society (CHS) and Orange County Social Services Agency CalWorks only. Funds may be used to pay for registration fees for Kindy Cove, Kids Club, and staff led seasonal camps for elementary school aged children.

If you have been awarded child care funding by the Orange Child Department of Education (OCDE) you may: 

  • Select a different provider who accepts funding from OCDE.
    • To view licensed school age child care programs throughout Irvine please, click here.
  • Contact your OCDE Family Services Technician and request your funding be transferred to CHS.

To utilize funding awarded by a third party:

Step 1. Contact the community park you are interested in having your child attend to learn more about the program and ensure they have space for your child and the program meets your needs.

  • The City staff at the facility will provide information about their program(s), fees, hours, and schools they serve. Please ask any program specific questions you have and let them know you have CHS or CalWorks subsidy.
  • Please provide the following information to staff:
    • Your first and last name.
    • Your phone number and email address
    • Your child(ren)’s first and last name(s), age, grade, and which school they attend.
    • Indicate if you are interested in Kindy Cove, Kids Club, or camp (seasonal breaks only).
  • City staff will provide links to the Child Services forms that you will need to complete and submit in order to be able to register your child.
  • Once all Child Services forms are completed and received you will be able to register your child for at yourirvine.org. Payment will be due at the time of registration. 

Step 2. Complete/obtain subsidy documentation.

  • Please complete the following City of Irvine form: 
  • In addition to all required forms, the City must receive a final approved Child Care Plan from OCSSA CalWorks or Child Care Certificate CHS before you are able to enroll your child in the program utilizing subsidy. 
  • Once the City receives the Child Care Plan or Certificate it will take approximately five business days to process to ensure accuracy and communicate with all parties. You’ll receive an email once the Plan or Certificate is received and processed indicating you are approved for registration utilizing subsidy.

How to receive a final approved Child Care Plan from OCSSA CalWorks:

  • You must submit required forms to your worker at OCSSA. Once the forms are approved by a supervisor at OCSSA, they will provide a final approved Child Care Plan to you and the City.
    • First: Contact your worker to request a “Child Care Packet”. Once you receive the packet, please call the City of Irvine Child Care Coordination Office at 949-724-6632 to make an appointment to complete the packet with staff.
      • Appointments are available Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will take approximately 30 minutes at the Child Resource Center located in Heritage Park at 14341 Yale Ave, Irvine.
      • You must make an appointment prior to coming with your forms.
    • Second: Bring the full Child Care Packet to your appointment. You will complete the forms together, which will take approximately 30 minutes. Child Care Coordination staff will submit your completed packet, along with required City documentation, directly to your worker. Your worker will provide the final Child Care Plan to you and the City once it is approved by their Supervisor. This typically takes OCSSA approximately ten business days.

How to receive a Child Care Certificate from CHS:

  • In order to obtain a final approved Child Care Certificate you must notify your CHS specialist which City of Irvine community park location you have selected. Your CHS specialist will confirm they have all of the information they need to draft the Child Care Certificate and, once it is approved by a supervisor at CHS, will provide a final approved Child Care Certificate to you and the City. This typically takes CHS five to 10 business days.

Reminder: Once the City receives the Child Care Plan/Certificate it will take approximately five business days to process to ensure accuracy and communicate with all parties. Once the Plan/Certificate is processed you will receive a confirmation email providing registration procedures utilizing your subsidy. Your selected City community park site will be copied on the email confirmation.

If you or your assigned Social Worker/Specialist have any questions please contact the City of Irvine Child Care Coordination Office at 949-724-6632 or childcare_office@cityofirvine.org.

For questions regarding your subsidy please contact your OCSSA Worker or CHS Specialist.  

Step 3. Register utilizing subsidy.

  • Follow the instructions provided in your confirmation email.
  • All requests for registration must be submitted in writing to the child service email at your park site.
  • Staff will reply to your email confirming registration once they have ensured space is available in the program for those dates.