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 Vermont
Vermont's Family Division of the Superior Court handles all family matters statewide. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DCF. Burlington, South Burlington, Rutland, and Essex are the largest towns. Vermont Legal Aid, Legal Services Vermont, and the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence provide civil legal aid and a statewide Family Law helpline for women.
15 Resources
CCFAP subsidizes childcare costs for Vermont families based on income and family size — the income cap rises with each child. Apply through Bright Futures Information System or any DCF office. Call 800-479-6151 Mon-Fri 7:45am-4:30pm.
800-479-6151 · Statewide Offices · Mon-Fri 7:45am-4:30pm · Visit Website
Let's Grow Kids runs Vermont's CCR&R network — call 802-848-7862 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm for free help locating licensed providers, understanding subsidies, and applying to Vermont's STARS quality-rated programs.
802-848-7862 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Greater Burlington YMCA at 802-652-8189 runs licensed full-day childcare, after-school programs, and the Summer Y-Knot day camp. Sliding-scale tuition; childcare subsidies accepted. Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm.
802-652-8189 · Burlington, VT · Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm · Visit Website
Boys and Girls Club of Burlington offers free after-school programming for ages 6-18 in Burlington schools and at the clubhouse. Programming runs from end-of-school until 7pm Mon-Fri. 802-862-8246.
802-862-8246 · Burlington, VT · Mon-Fri after school-7pm
Vermont's 15 Parent Child Centers offer free playgroups, home visits, parenting classes, and concrete supports (diapers, formula, car seats) to families with kids under 6. Statewide contact 802-828-3278 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.
802-828-3278 · Statewide Locations · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont in Montpelier runs Nurturing Parenting Programs, the Stewards of Children child sexual abuse prevention training, and the Vermont Parent Helpline at 800-829-5340. 802-229-5724 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.
802-229-5724 · Montpelier, VT · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
ChildCare.gov links to Vermont's CCFAP application portal, the STARS provider quality ratings, and the federal Child Care Development Block Grant rules Vermont uses to set income eligibility.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The federal Office of Child Care administers CCDF that funds Vermont's CCFAP subsidy and the state's quality improvement system (STARS). Their data tools rank states on access and affordability.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Vermont's Head Start grantees include Champlain Valley Head Start, Sunrise Family Resource Center, and BROC — locate the program serving your county at eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/center-locator. Free for income-eligible families with kids 3-5.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Vermont's Early Head Start programs (run by the same agencies as Head Start) serve pregnant women and families with infants and toddlers under 3 with home visits, group socialization, and prenatal nutrition support.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Child Care Aware (1-800-424-2246) is the national CCR&R network — they route Vermont callers to Let's Grow Kids and supplement with federal resources on military and tribal childcare.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Zero to Three's free Healthy Minds parenting newsletter and the Baby's Brain podcast support Vermont moms during the critical first three years of brain development.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
CACFP reimburses Vermont licensed childcare providers (including family home daycares) for the meals they serve — meaning kids in CACFP-participating care get nutritious meals at no extra cost to their parents.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
BGCA.org locates Vermont clubs in Burlington, Rutland, and Brattleboro — affordable after-school and summer programming with sliding-scale fees that drop to
/day for many low-income families.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
NAFCC accredits family home childcare providers — a quality marker Vermont moms can look for when their child needs the small-group consistency of in-home care over a center.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Frequently Asked
- How many childcare assistance resources are in Vermont?
- Women's Corner tracks 15 childcare assistance resources for women in Vermont.
- Are childcare assistance resources in Vermont free?
- 14 of the 15 listed childcare assistance resources in Vermont are explicitly free or low-cost.
- Which cities in Vermont have childcare assistance resources?
- Listings span cities including Burlington, Montpelier.
- What are some examples of childcare assistance resources in Vermont?
- Featured entries include Vermont Child Care Financial Assistance Program, Vermont Child Care Resource & Referral (Let's Grow Kids), YMCA of Greater Burlington — Childcare, Boys & Girls Club of Burlington, Parent Child Center Network of Vermont.
- Do these listings include phone numbers?
- 6 of 15 Vermont 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.