• Choose a program. Confirm your child’s start date. If there is a waitlist, make sure to contact other programs you like to check availability. If necessary, add your child’s name to more than one program waitlist. This will help ensure a spot becomes open sooner. Many programs that care for infants and toddlers fill up quickly. Make sure you start your child care search early!
   
• Stay involved. You are your child’s most important teacher! Staying involved both in your child’s program and at home will help your child thrive!

Add your child’s name to the waitlist of the programs you want and continue to look for other programs. Visit each program you are interested in and use the quality care checklist to find the best fit for your family.

For help finding a child care spot, you can also contact the Colorado Shines Child Care Referral Line at Mile High United Way at 1.877.338.2273.

Yes! Financial assistance is available to families who may not be able to afford quality child care or preschool. The resources below will help you learn more about the programs and help you to see if you qualify for aid.

• Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP). Colorado’s Department of Early Childhood offers child care subsidies for families who need help affording quality child care. CCCAP helps families that are homeless, working, searching for work, or in school find low-income child care assistance. Families that are enrolled in the Colorado Works Program can also use CCCAP services.
  
  Each county's Department of Social/Human Services and the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, Division of Early Care and Learning manage the CCCAP program. Each county sets eligibility requirements for families but must help families that have an income of 185% or less of the federal poverty guideline. Counties will not serve families that have an income over 85% of the state median income.
  
  View the Family Income Guidelines for CCCAP eligibility. CCCAP Qualified Exempt Provider Inspection Reports for child care providers who are license-exempt and accept CCCAP may be viewed here.

Financial assistance is available to families who may not be able to afford quality child care or preschool. The resources on this page will help you learn more about the programs and help you to see if you qualify for aid.

• Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP). Colorado’s Department of Early Childhood offers child care subsidies for families who need help affording quality child care. Learn more about the program and how to apply for assistance.
   
• Colorado Preschool Program (CPP). The Colorado Preschool Program is a state-funded early childhood education program administered by the Colorado Department of Education. Children who are eligible for CPP have the opportunity to attend half-day or full-day preschool or full-day kindergarten at a reduced cost.
   
• Denver Preschool Program (DPP). The Denver Preschool Program helps eligible Denver families pay for high-quality preschool. To qualify, families must reside in the City and County of Denver and have a four-year-old child enrolled at a participating program and in their last year of preschool before kindergarten.
   
• Head Start/Early Head Start Program. Head Start promotes school readiness for children from low-income families. From birth to age five, Head Start provides children a learning environment that enhances their cognitive, social, and emotional development.