Child Care Cost

How to Make Childcare More Affordable

By Winnie on April 22, 2026

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If you're trying to figure out how to make child care fit your budget, you're not alone. The good news is there are a number of programs and benefits that can help lower the cost.

We're breaking down some of the ways to make childcare work for your family, including the most commonly talked about childcare assistance programs and how to apply for them at the federal, state, and local levels. 

I can't afford daycare. What can I do?

Finding a solution that works can take some finessing. Whether you're a student, don't have a steady income, or your job just doesn't pay enough to cover the cost, there are many reasons child care can feel out of reach financially.

Many states, and even the federal government, have solutions available to subsidize or cover the full cost of childcare for some families. You may need to do some research or fill out paperwork, but the end result is worth it. Here are some ways to make childcare more affordable.

See if your employer offers a Dependent Care FSA

Some companies offer Dependent Care FSA (Flexible Savings Account) as a benefit to their employees. A Dependent Care FSA allows you to set aside pre-tax money from your paycheck to pay for childcare, preschool, and even summer camp. 

Benefits of this type of FSA include:

  • Using pre-tax dollars can reduce the effective cost of childcare and camps. 
  • This FSA reduces the amount of taxes deducted from your paycheck. Funds are deposited into your FSA before taxes are taken out, reducing your overall taxable income. 
  • You can monitor your FSA account and handle claims and reimbursements online. 

Shop around for the best price

Just because one of the local daycare options is out of your budget doesn't mean that there is a hidden gem that's more affordable. Be sure to check out the price difference between in-home childcare programs and daycare centers, some may be more affordable than others depending on where you live.

Winnie can help you compare the cost of preschool and daycare options near you, without having to search and research all on your own.

Consider cutting back to part-time daycare

If you work from home or have a flexible schedule, you may be able to make childcare more affordable by cutting back the number of hours your child is in care. Part-time daycare may mean a half day or a shorter day.

There are other part-time childcare arrangements that exist. You may also be able to only send your child to daycare on certain days of the week or drop-in on the days you need it and pay as you go.

Look into child care assistance programs

Child care assistance programs can help lower the cost of care, and in some cases, cover it entirely. These programs are funded by federal, state, and local governments, and each has its own eligibility requirements and application process.

  • Head Start and Early Head Start: Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded programs that provide free high-quality childcare and preschool to children ages birth through five years old in centers, in-home daycares, or occasionally in the child’s home. Head Start preschool programs for children ages 3-5 utilize a two-generation model, providing support to the family as a whole.
  • Child Care Subsidies (may also be called vouchers or fee assistance): Every state receives funding from the federal government in order to help families pay for childcare. Generally, these funds are available for parents who are enrolled in school or working full-time. Eligibility requirements vary from state to state. 
  • State-Funded Pre-K or TK: Depending on where you live, your state or local school district may offer pre-k or transitional kindergarten, which provides early education and school readiness programming for children between 3 and 5 years old. 
  • Military Assistance Programs: Financial assistance is available to eligible members of the military. Eligibility requirements vary depending on the branch of service.

Where do I apply for childcare assistance?

Each state handles its own subsidy and voucher program differently. Check your individual state's or district's eligibility criteria and guidelines for applying.

Many child care assistance programs are funded through the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), which helps low-income families pay for licensed care. Programs like Head Start and Early Head Start offer free early learning for eligible children from birth to age five.

Does low-cost daycare mean low quality?

When it comes to daycare or preschool, low cost does not have to mean low quality. In fact, many programs that receive government subsidies or accept vouchers have a lot of regulations that need to be met before they are able to contract with state or federal governments. 

Often, programs such as Head Start have to hire a certain number of certified teachers, adhere to student-teacher ratios, and meet health and safety requirements. These programs are generally more closely monitored and submit to regular inspections. 

What if I don’t qualify for Head Start or other state financial assistance but still need help with childcare tuition?

  • Sliding fee scale: Some providers allow families to pay based on their income, utilizing a sliding scale fee. You can check on a provider’s Winnie listing to see if they offer tuition assistance or sliding scale fees. 
  • Sibling discount: Many child care programs and preschools offer a discount to families that enroll more than one child. The specific discount varies from provider to provider but could range from a percentage off the weekly/monthly rate to waiving the registration fee. Be sure to ask any provider you’re interested in if they offer sibling discounts and check their Winnie listing for details.

Is there assistance for parents who are in school?

  • High school students may be eligible for childcare assistance in order to complete their education. You can contact your local Childcare Resource and Referral office and ask them about childcare tuition assistance programs for high school students. 
  • Colleges or universities often have on-site childcare and may offer discounts to students or faculty. 

Is there assistance for American Indians and other Indigenous people?

  • American Indian and Alaska Native Assistance: The federal government provides states with funds to grant childcare assistance to American Indian, Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native families. You can find more information about what your state offers by contacting your local tribal agency. There are also many Head Start programs offering free preschool programming for American Indian and Alaskan Native families.
  • Native Hawaiian child care and preschool programs: In Hawaii, there are programs that help with child care and preschool tuition assistance for families who are Native Hawaiian or of Native Hawaiian ancestry. More information can be found via PATCH.

Why aren't there more free and low-cost childcare and preschool options?

At Winnie, we believe every child deserves access to high-quality, affordable childcare and preschool. We know that children benefit from the social interactions with peers,  relationships with caregivers and teachers and exposure to early academics that daycare and preschool programs provide. 

The importance of accessible, quality childcare and early learning has never been more top of mind. More and more states are offering Universal Pre-K. Depending on where you live, there may be a guaranteed seat for every child to attend a Universal Pre-K program, or those spots may be filled by a lottery system.

You can search for programs near you offering childcare tuition assistance on Winnie.

Winnie is a marketplace for licensed child care and education used by millions of parents across the US. 

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