For Families

• Need Help Paying for Child Care?

  Child care is hard for many Colorado families to afford. Luckily, support is available. 
  
  The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) helps families afford high-quality child care. CCCAP significantly reduces the amount families have to pay for their child’s care. 
  
  CCCAP supports parents who are working, looking for work, or attending school. 
  
  See if your family qualifies here. 
  
  Scroll down and find your county in the drop-down list. Download the CCCAP tip sheet with income eligibility and information for your local CCCAP office.

• Which Child Care Providers Need a License?
  All child care programs with a license are regularly monitored to ensure the health, safety and well-being of the children who attend. Licensed child care providers and their staff  are required to be screened, background checked and trained in key safety topics. 
  
  Some families prefer care provided by family, friends, neighbors, nannies or babysitters. This option can also be safe and high-quality. This type of child care is exempt from state licensing rules as long as it follows Colorado law. 
  
  Learn more about the difference between licensed and license-exempt child care here.

Helping Families Navigate Child Care 

Depending on where you live, families have different options for child care. 

The State of Colorado offers a free search tool to help you find and research licensed child care programs in your community. We show you each program’s quality rating, licensing history, and monitoring reports to help you make the best decision for your family.  

You can also contact the Colorado Shines Child Care Resource and Referral phone line at  877.338.2273 for free, personalized support with your child care search. Child care navigators are also available by email, and you can contact childcarereferrals@unitedwaydenver.org. 

Or just complete this online form and a child care navigator will contact you. 
 

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PROGRAM FOR YOUR FAMILY

There are different types of child care providers in Colorado. These include licensed child care centers, licensed home-based child care programs, Head Start programs, and school-based preschools. 

Some families choose a licensed child care program. Others prefer child care provided by a family member, friend, neighbor or nanny. 

Whatever type of program you choose, it’s important to go visit and talk to the provider and see the place where your child will be cared for. This checklist will help you know the important things to look for and questions to ask.