Best Childcare Assistance in West Virginia — 14 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 West Virginia

West Virginia Family Court is a statewide unified system handling divorce, custody, and child support. The Bureau for Child Support Enforcement operates under DHHR. Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, and Morgantown are the largest cities. Legal Aid of West Virginia and the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence provide statewide civil legal aid and safety services to women.

14 Resources

1. WV Child Care Assistance Program — Free

State subsidized childcare for working women and families across West Virginia. Services include subsidy programs, provider referrals, and quality-rated childcare directories. Eligibility is income-based; bring pay stubs, ID, and child's birth certificate to apply. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm.

304-558-1885 · Statewide Offices · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

2. YMCA of Kanawha Valley — Childcare

Affordable childcare and afterschool programs for mothers needing childcare support in West Virginia. Services include subsidy programs, provider referrals, and quality-rated childcare directories. Eligibility is income-based; bring pay stubs, ID, and child's birth certificate to apply. Open Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm.

304-340-3527 · Charleston, WV · Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm

3. Boys & Girls Club of the Kanawha Valley — Free

Afterschool programs for children and teens for mothers needing childcare support in West Virginia. Services include subsidy programs, provider referrals, and quality-rated childcare directories. Eligibility is income-based; bring pay stubs, ID, and child's birth certificate to apply. Open Mon-Fri after school-7pm.

304-925-0290 · Charleston, WV · Mon-Fri after school-7pm

4. WV Pre-K Program (Universal Access) — Free

State-funded pre-K for all 4-year-olds for mothers needing childcare support across West Virginia. Services include subsidy programs, provider referrals, and quality-rated childcare directories. Eligibility is income-based; bring pay stubs, ID, and child's birth certificate to apply. Open Varies by program.

304-558-2691 · Statewide Locations · Varies by program · Visit Website

5. WV Early Childhood Training Connections & Resources — Free

Training and support for childcare quality for mothers needing childcare support across West Virginia. Services include subsidy programs, provider referrals, and quality-rated childcare directories. Eligibility is income-based; bring pay stubs, ID, and child's birth certificate to apply. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

304-558-1885 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. ChildCare.gov — Free

Federal hub for finding quality child care, financial assistance, and learning about state subsidies for mothers needing childcare support. Services include subsidy programs, provider referrals, and quality-rated childcare directories. Available online 24/7 at childcare.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

7. Office of Child Care (ACF) — Free

Federal office administering Child Care and Development Fund. Subsidies and quality programs in every state for mothers needing childcare support. Services include subsidy programs, provider referrals, and quality-rated childcare directories. Available online 24/7 at acf.hhs.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. Head Start Locator — Free

Free, federally funded preschool for low-income families with children 0-5. Find a program near you for mothers needing childcare support. Services include subsidy programs, provider referrals, and quality-rated childcare directories. Available online 24/7 at eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. Early Head Start — Free

Federally funded early childhood program for pregnant women and families with infants and toddlers. Services include subsidy programs, provider referrals, and quality-rated childcare directories. Available online 24/7 at eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Child Care Aware of America — Free

1-800-424-2246 — free help finding quality, affordable childcare in your community for mothers needing childcare support. Services include subsidy programs, provider referrals, and quality-rated childcare directories. Available online 24/7 at childcareaware.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Zero to Three — Free

Resources for parents and professionals on early childhood development from birth to age 3 for mothers needing childcare support. Services include subsidy programs, provider referrals, and quality-rated childcare directories. Available online 24/7 at zerotothree.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. USDA Child & Adult Care Food Program — Free

CACFP — federal program reimbursing childcare providers for nutritious meals served to children for mothers needing childcare support. Services include subsidy programs, provider referrals, and quality-rated childcare directories. Available online 24/7 at fns.usda.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Boys & Girls Clubs of America — Free

Safe, affordable after-school and summer programs for children ages 6-18 nationwide for mothers needing childcare support. Services include subsidy programs, provider referrals, and quality-rated childcare directories. Available online 24/7 at bgca.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. National Association for Family Child Care — Free

NAFCC — supporting quality home-based childcare and helping parents find accredited family providers for mothers needing childcare support. Services include subsidy programs, provider referrals, and quality-rated childcare directories. Available online 24/7 at nafcc.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many childcare assistance resources are in West Virginia?
Women's Corner tracks 14 childcare assistance resources for women in West Virginia.
Are childcare assistance resources in West Virginia free?
13 of the 14 listed childcare assistance resources in West Virginia are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in West Virginia have childcare assistance resources?
Listings span cities including Charleston.
What are some examples of childcare assistance resources in West Virginia?
Featured entries include WV Child Care Assistance Program, YMCA of Kanawha Valley — Childcare, Boys & Girls Club of the Kanawha Valley, WV Pre-K Program (Universal Access), WV Early Childhood Training Connections & Resources.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
5 of 14 West Virginia 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.