Child Care Assistance

Child Care Assistance programs provide funding to enhance the quality, affordability and availability of child care for Alexandria families. Child care programs are child-centered, family-focused services that support the family goals of economic self-sufficiency and child development by providing substitute parental care, protection, guidance and early childhood education. Find out if you are eligible and apply for child care assistance at the Virginia Common Help website.  

Programs offered by the City of Alexandria, include:

• TANF Child Care--If a parent or legal guardian is receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), they may may be eligible for child care assistance to make it possible for them to work, participate in an approved training activity or go to school. There is no fee for this program. For more information or to apply for this service, call 703.746.5437 (KIDS).
• Transitional Child Care--If a parent or legal guardian has received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) within the last twelve months, they may be eligible to receive assistance with child care, depending on income, to support their employment.  Families pay a single fee, based on their income, directly to the provider of care. The remainder of the cost of care is paid by the Department of Community & Human Services. For more information or to apply for this service, call 703.746.5437 (KIDS).
• Child Day Care Fee System--Families may be eligible, depending on income, for a child care subsidy, if both parents are working, going to school or participating in training. Families pay a single fee, based on their income, directly to the provider of care. The remainder of the cost of care is paid by the Department of Community & Human Services. To be placed on a waiting list for this program, contact the Early Childhood Division at 703.746.5437 (KIDS).

Child Care Information Service

Choosing child care is a personal decision. Child Care Connection provides information to help you make that decision. Local permitting regulations and state licensing standards are minimum requirements and do not guarantee quality programs. We urge parents to visit and carefully interview as many providers as possible before making a selection. Use the Child Care Checklist when visiting a provider and check the provider's blue registration permit or state license to ensure that their registration is valid and that they have space for your child. Providers should also be able to present documentation of the training they have received.

The Early Childhood Division (ECD) does not specifically endorse any provider and does not guarantee the accuracy of the information about providers. All child care arrangements are the responsibility of the parents and the provider.

Call 703.746.5437 (KIDS) or click below for information on:

• Approved family child care providers
• Licensed child care programs, including before- and after-school programs and summer camps and the  results of recent inspections and compliance history, go to www.dss.virginia.gov and click on Licensed Child Care. You may also contact the Fairfax Regional Licensing Office at 703.934.1505.

Also available on this site:

• Tips on Choosing Child Care & Checklist
• Types of Child Care
• Child Care Resource and Referral