How many childcare assistance resources are in Mississippi?

Women's Corner tracks 15 childcare assistance resources for women in Mississippi.

Are childcare assistance resources in Mississippi free?

14 of the 15 listed childcare assistance resources in Mississippi are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Mississippi have childcare assistance resources?

Listings span cities including Jackson.

What are some examples of childcare assistance resources in Mississippi?

Featured entries include Mississippi Child Care Resource & Referral Network, Mississippi 211 — Childcare Resources, Mississippi Early Childhood Association, YMCA of Metropolitan Jackson — Childcare, Boys & Girls Club of Central Mississippi.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

6 of 15 Mississippi 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 Mississippi — 15 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 Mississippi

Mississippi chancery courts handle divorce and custody in all 82 counties, with county courts handling some child support matters. The Division of Child Support Enforcement operates under MDHS. Jackson, Gulfport, Southaven, and Hattiesburg are the largest cities. Mississippi Center for Justice, North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, and the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence support women.

15 Resources

1. Mississippi Child Care Resource & Referral Network — Free

Free childcare referrals and provider information statewide for working mothers and families. Service is administered statewide in Mississippi, with county-level access points and intake handled by the central office line. Phone 800-877-7882 to be screened; staff will ask about household income, county of residence, and the specific issue you need help with. Open mon-fri 8am-5pm; services are free to qualifying Mississippi residents.

800-877-7882 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

2. Mississippi 211 — Childcare Resources — Free

Dial 211 for childcare referrals and assistance programs for working mothers and families. Dialing 211 routes you to a Mississippi 211 specialist who can locate the nearest pantry, shelter, or program for your county—operators are trained to triage MDHS, Medicaid, and TANF questions on the same call. The Mississippi CCR&R network helps parents find vetted licensed providers in their county. Available 24/7 at no cost.

211 · Statewide Service · 24/7

3. Mississippi Early Childhood Association — Free

Resources and training for childcare quality across Mississippi for working mothers and families. Head Start and Early Head Start programs run through several Mississippi community action grantees. Phone 601-355-6655 to be screened; staff will ask about household income, county of residence, and the specific issue you need help with. Open mon-fri 8am-5pm; services are free to qualifying Mississippi residents.

601-355-6655 · Jackson, MS · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

4. YMCA of Metropolitan Jackson — Childcare

Affordable childcare and afterschool programs in Jackson for working mothers and families. Head Start and Early Head Start programs run through several Mississippi community action grantees. 601-948-3090 is the best starting point—leave a clear message with your county and a callback number if you reach voicemail. Open mon-fri 6:30am-6pm; expect sliding-scale, Medicaid, or self-pay billing.

601-948-3090 · Multiple Jackson locations · Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm

5. Boys & Girls Club of Central Mississippi — Free

Afterschool programs and youth development for children for working mothers and families. The Mississippi CCR&R network helps parents find vetted licensed providers in their county. Reach the office at 601-372-9406; early-morning calls land you faster than mid-afternoon ones. Open mon-fri after school-7pm; services are free to qualifying Mississippi residents.

601-372-9406 · Jackson, MS · Mon-Fri after school-7pm

6. Save the Children — Mississippi — Free

Early childhood programs supporting rural families. Mississippi's Child Care Payment Program through MDHS subsidizes care for working low-income mothers. Reach the office at 800-728-3843; early-morning calls land you faster than mid-afternoon ones. Pair it with a 211 referral if you need a second program in the same conversation. Open mon-fri 8am-5pm; services are free to qualifying Mississippi residents.

800-728-3843 · Rural Mississippi locations · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. ChildCare.gov — Free

Federal hub for finding quality child care, financial assistance, and learning about state subsidies for working mothers and families. The website is the main entry point and covers Mississippi alongside every other state—no Mississippi-specific signup is required to read the guidance or use the directory. Visit childcare.gov for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. Office of Child Care (ACF) — Free

Federal office administering Child Care and Development Fund. Subsidies and quality programs in every state for working mothers and families. Although the organization is national, the resources translate cleanly to Mississippi cases and reference Mississippi-specific agencies where relevant. Visit www.acf.hhs.gov/occ for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. Head Start Locator — Free

Free, federally funded preschool for low-income families with children 0-5. Find a program near you. The website is the main entry point and covers Mississippi alongside every other state—no Mississippi-specific signup is required to read the guidance or use the directory. Visit eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/center-locator for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Early Head Start — Free

Federally funded early childhood program for pregnant women and families with infants and toddlers. The website is the main entry point and covers Mississippi alongside every other state—no Mississippi-specific signup is required to read the guidance or use the directory. Visit eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/programs/article/early-head-start-programs for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Child Care Aware of America — Free

1-800-424-2246 — free help finding quality, affordable childcare in your community for working mothers and families. The website is the main entry point and covers Mississippi alongside every other state—no Mississippi-specific signup is required to read the guidance or use the directory. Visit www.childcareaware.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Zero to Three — Free

Resources for parents and professionals on early childhood development from birth to age 3 for working mothers and families. Although the organization is national, the resources translate cleanly to Mississippi cases and reference Mississippi-specific agencies where relevant. Visit www.zerotothree.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. USDA Child & Adult Care Food Program — Free

CACFP — federal program reimbursing childcare providers for nutritious meals served to children for working mothers and families. Although the organization is national, the resources translate cleanly to Mississippi cases and reference Mississippi-specific agencies where relevant. Visit www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Boys & Girls Clubs of America — Free

Safe, affordable after-school and summer programs for children ages 6-18 nationwide for working mothers and families. Although the organization is national, the resources translate cleanly to Mississippi cases and reference Mississippi-specific agencies where relevant. Visit www.bgca.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. National Association for Family Child Care — Free

NAFCC — supporting quality home-based childcare and helping parents find accredited family providers. The website is the main entry point and covers Mississippi alongside every other state—no Mississippi-specific signup is required to read the guidance or use the directory. Visit www.nafcc.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many childcare assistance resources are in Mississippi?: Women's Corner tracks 15 childcare assistance resources for women in Mississippi.
Are childcare assistance resources in Mississippi free?: 14 of the 15 listed childcare assistance resources in Mississippi are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Mississippi have childcare assistance resources?: Listings span cities including Jackson.
What are some examples of childcare assistance resources in Mississippi?: Featured entries include Mississippi Child Care Resource & Referral Network, Mississippi 211 — Childcare Resources, Mississippi Early Childhood Association, YMCA of Metropolitan Jackson — Childcare, Boys & Girls Club of Central Mississippi.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 6 of 15 Mississippi 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.