How many childcare assistance resources are in Arizona?

Women's Corner tracks 18 childcare assistance resources for women in Arizona.

Are childcare assistance resources in Arizona free?

17 of the 18 listed childcare assistance resources in Arizona are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Arizona have childcare assistance resources?

Listings span cities including Phoenix, Tempe, Tucson, Scottsdale.

What are some examples of childcare assistance resources in Arizona?

Featured entries include Arizona DES Child Care Assistance Program, First Things First Arizona, Child Care Resource & Referral — Maricopa, Association for Supportive Child Care, Head Start — Arizona.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

9 of 18 Arizona childcare assistance listings include phone numbers.

How do I get help paying for daycare?

Apply for CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) subsidies through your state's child care assistance agency — eligibility is typically up to 85% of state median income for working or in-school parents. Wait lists exist in some states. Head Start (ages 3–5) and Early Head Start (0–3) are free for income-qualifying families and include education, meals, and family services.

What's the difference between Head Start and daycare?

Head Start is a free federally-funded program for low-income kids ages 3–5 that includes early education, free meals, health and dental screenings, and parent involvement — typically 3–6 hours/day during the school year. Daycare/CCDF subsidies cover full-day, year-round care at licensed providers. Many families use both: Head Start morning + wrap-around CCDF-funded daycare.

Can I get childcare while I'm in school or job training?

Yes — CCDF subsidies cover parents in education and job training programs, not just employed parents. The CCAMPIS federal program funds free on-campus childcare at hundreds of colleges. WIOA-enrolled trainees often receive childcare support through their American Job Center case manager. TANF includes childcare as part of work activities.

Are there options for night-shift or weekend childcare?

Limited but growing. Search Child Care Aware (1-800-424-2246) for 'non-traditional hours' providers in your state. Some states have specific non-traditional-hour subsidies. Family Child Care homes are often more flexible than centers. The military Child Care Aware program serves National Guard, Reserve, and DoD-eligible families with 24/7 backup care.

Best Childcare Assistance in Arizona — 18 resources

About Childcare Assistance for Women

Childcare assistance for mothers is delivered primarily through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG/CCDF), Head Start, Early Head Start, and state pre-K. CCDF subsidies are administered by each state's lead agency (usually the Department of Human Services) and help families pay for licensed care while parents work, attend school, or participate in training — eligibility typically up to 85% of state median income. Head Start serves children 3–5 from families below the Federal Poverty Level; Early Head Start covers birth to 3 plus pregnant women. Child Care Aware (1-800-424-2246) and state Resource & Referral agencies match families to providers. This directory includes each state's CCDF office, Head Start programs, and R&R agencies.

Childcare Assistance in Arizona

Arizona handles custody (called 'legal decision-making' and 'parenting time') in superior courts across all 15 counties. The Division of Child Support Services operates under DES. Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, and Chandler are the largest metros. Community Legal Services, Southern Arizona Legal Aid, and the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence support women statewide.

18 Resources

1. Arizona DES Child Care Assistance Program — Free

DES administers Arizona's CCDF subsidy at 1789 W Jefferson, helping working mothers and those in approved training afford licensed care. Copays scale to income; eligibility generally up to 165% FPL. Apply through Health-e-Arizona Plus, or dial 855-432-7587 weekdays to be screened by an eligibility specialist.

855-432-7587 · 1789 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85007 · Mon-Fri 7am-5pm · Visit Website

2. First Things First Arizona — Free

First Things First, headquartered at 4000 N Central, is Arizona's voter-created early-childhood agency funded by a tobacco tax. They fund home visiting, Quality First scholarships, and oral-health screenings for kids 0-5. Call 602-771-5100 to find your regional council.

602-771-5100 · 4000 N Central Ave Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85012 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Child Care Resource & Referral — Maricopa — Free

CCR&R is Maricopa County's main referral line for licensed child-care providers — operated by Association for Supportive Child Care. Search by zip, hours needed, and infant/toddler/preschool age. Free service; call 602-244-2678.

602-244-2678 · Phoenix, AZ · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

4. Association for Supportive Child Care — Free

ASCC at 3910 S Rural Rd in Tempe runs CCR&R, the Family Child Care Network, and provider training for Quality First-rated centers. They also help moms understand subsidy paperwork. Call 602-244-2678.

602-244-2678 · 3910 S Rural Rd Suite C, Tempe, AZ 85282 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

5. Head Start — Arizona — Free

Arizona Head Start serves 13,000+ children annually through agencies like Maricopa County HSD, CPLC, NACA, and tribal programs. Free for income-eligible families (typically up to 130% FPL). Includes meals, transportation, and family case management. Call 602-253-6361.

602-253-6361 · Multiple locations statewide · Mon-Fri 8am-3pm · Visit Website

6. Child & Family Resources — Tucson — Free

CFR at 2800 E Broadway is Pima County's CCR&R, also running the Las Familias parent-leadership program and the Healthy Families home-visiting contract. Bilingual staff serve over 70,000 Southern Arizona families annually. Call 520-881-8940.

520-881-8940 · 2800 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Quality First Arizona — Free

Quality First is First Things First's 1-5 star quality rating for child-care centers and home providers in Arizona. The searchable site shows ratings, hours, and accepted subsidies — essential for moms balancing quality with cost. Call 602-771-5100.

602-771-5100 · Online resource · 24/7 online · Visit Website

8. YMCA Arizona — Child Care

Valley of the Sun YMCA runs licensed child care, before-and-after school programs, and summer camps at 20+ Phoenix-area branches. Financial assistance available based on family income. Call 602-257-5138 for the closest branch.

602-257-5138 · Multiple Phoenix area locations · Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm · Visit Website

9. Childhelp — Arizona — Free

Childhelp at 6810 N Scottsdale operates the 24/7 National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-422-4453) plus the Children's Advocacy Centers in Phoenix that coordinate forensic interviews and treatment for child-abuse survivors. Call 480-922-8212.

480-922-8212 · 6810 N Scottsdale Rd Suite 200, Scottsdale, AZ 85253 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. ChildCare.gov — Free

Federal hub with the CCDF state plan for Arizona, the subsidy eligibility calculator, and quality-rating definitions. Useful when comparing Arizona's child-care policies to those of other states a family might move to.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Office of Child Care (ACF) — Free

ACF's Office of Child Care administers the Child Care and Development Block Grant that funds Arizona's subsidy. Their site lists Arizona's CCDF state plan and reports on subsidy utilization — useful for advocacy and policy understanding.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Head Start Locator — Free

ACF's Head Start program locator returns every Arizona Head Start and Early Head Start program with address, hours, and contact — including tribal-operated programs on Navajo, Hopi, and other reservations.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Early Head Start — Free

Early Head Start serves Arizona pregnant women and families with infants and toddlers up to age 3, including home visiting, group socialization, and center-based care. Limited slots — apply early. Income-eligibility same as Head Start.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Child Care Aware of America — Free

Child Care Aware's 1-800-424-2246 line connects Arizona families to local CCR&R and provides research-backed tips on selecting safe care. They also publish the annual Price of Care report showing Arizona's center costs vs. family budgets.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Zero to Three — Free

Z2T's parent resources at zerotothree.org explain developmental milestones, sleep training, tantrums, and bonding — useful for Arizona moms with infants or toddlers especially during the isolating early postpartum months.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. USDA Child & Adult Care Food Program — Free

CACFP reimburses Arizona child-care centers and family providers for nutritious meals — meaning subsidized care often includes breakfast, lunch, and snack at no extra cost. ADE administers the program in-state.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

17. Boys & Girls Clubs of America — Free

Arizona has 50+ Boys & Girls Club sites across Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, and Native communities offering after-school care at 5-

00/year — far below market child-care rates. Programs run until 6-7pm to fit working moms' schedules.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

18. National Association for Family Child Care — Free

NAFCC accredits Arizona home-based providers, a strong indicator of quality for moms preferring small group care. Their directory lets you search accredited Arizona homes by zip code.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many childcare assistance resources are in Arizona?: Women's Corner tracks 18 childcare assistance resources for women in Arizona.
Are childcare assistance resources in Arizona free?: 17 of the 18 listed childcare assistance resources in Arizona are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Arizona have childcare assistance resources?: Listings span cities including Phoenix, Tempe, Tucson, Scottsdale.
What are some examples of childcare assistance resources in Arizona?: Featured entries include Arizona DES Child Care Assistance Program, First Things First Arizona, Child Care Resource & Referral — Maricopa, Association for Supportive Child Care, Head Start — Arizona.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 9 of 18 Arizona childcare assistance listings include phone numbers.
How do I get help paying for daycare?: Apply for CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) subsidies through your state's child care assistance agency — eligibility is typically up to 85% of state median income for working or in-school parents. Wait lists exist in some states. Head Start (ages 3–5) and Early Head Start (0–3) are free for income-qualifying families and include education, meals, and family services.
What's the difference between Head Start and daycare?: Head Start is a free federally-funded program for low-income kids ages 3–5 that includes early education, free meals, health and dental screenings, and parent involvement — typically 3–6 hours/day during the school year. Daycare/CCDF subsidies cover full-day, year-round care at licensed providers. Many families use both: Head Start morning + wrap-around CCDF-funded daycare.
Can I get childcare while I'm in school or job training?: Yes — CCDF subsidies cover parents in education and job training programs, not just employed parents. The CCAMPIS federal program funds free on-campus childcare at hundreds of colleges. WIOA-enrolled trainees often receive childcare support through their American Job Center case manager. TANF includes childcare as part of work activities.
Are there options for night-shift or weekend childcare?: Limited but growing. Search Child Care Aware (1-800-424-2246) for 'non-traditional hours' providers in your state. Some states have specific non-traditional-hour subsidies. Family Child Care homes are often more flexible than centers. The military Child Care Aware program serves National Guard, Reserve, and DoD-eligible families with 24/7 backup care.