Information for Families

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) implemented a waitlist for the DC Child Care Subsidy Program effective Tuesday, May 12, 2026. DC families may continue to apply to receive child care subsidies by completing and submitting an application for the DC Child Care Subsidy Program.

The application is used to determine a family’s eligibility. While the waitlist is in effect, families determined eligible are assigned a priority group based on their eligibility classification. Families assigned a priority group that is open for enrollment can enroll in the DC Child Care Subsidy Program and choose from a wide range of licensed child development facilities or select an in-home care provider. The DC Child Care Subsidy Program will pay all or part of the family’s child care costs directly to their child development facility or in-home provider. Depending on income, families may be required to pay a portion of the cost of child care directly to the facility.

Families currently receiving child care subsidies may continue to receive subsidies while the waitlist is in effect as long as they remain eligible and complete the redetermination process. They may also add siblings to their case. Siblings will not be assigned to a priority group on the waitlist; they can enroll in subsidized child care services as soon as they are added to the family’s case.