All early care and education and school-age programs identified by Child Care Resources Inc. (CCRI) are regulated by the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education or are exempt from licensing. CCRI does not license, endorse or recommend any particular program, nor can CCRI assure you that a program offers or delivers quality care. You are strongly encouraged to visit and carefully interview several programs. Check references before making your decision. A specific program identified by CCRI does not constitute a recommendation as to the quality of care.

When it comes to early learning, the first five years of your child’s life matter most.

During the preschool years, your child’s brain is growing at its most rapid pace and is sculpted by high-quality interactions and play. Talking, singing, reading and playing with your child are all good ways to promote curiosity, build knowledge, and teach the skills that will help your child become ready for school.

If you work outside the home – as most parents of young children do – then you want to be sure that your child is learning and growing and being well-cared for by nurturing adults every day. That means choosing a quality child care program.


We've put together a list of steps and companion brochures to better assist you in selecting a quality child care program:

• Contact Child Care Search for free referrals to programs based on your family's needs and preferences.
• Consider the different types of care available.
• Use quality indicators to understand the experience your child will have in a particular child care program.
  
• Contact each program on your referral list to ask questions and find out whether space is available.
• Use our quality checklist when you visit each child care program you are considering (available in Download Publications below).
• Compare the programs you visited.
• Check references. Reach out to other families to hear first-hand their experiences with the programs you are considering.

How to Apply

• Call CCRI's Child Care Search team at 704.348.2181. A parent counselor will talk with you about child care financial aid and answer any questions you have.
• Your parent counselor can discuss initial eligibility guidelines for child care financial aid.
• If the demand for aid is greater than available funding, your child's name will be placed on a waitlist. Once funding becomes available, you will be contacted to complete a formal application.
• During your appointment, you will meet with a Child Care Financial Aid Case Manager. You will be required to provide written documentation that will be used to determine eligibility for child care financial aid. If you are eligible for child care financial aid, you will receive a voucher to help you pay for the cost of child care.
• Upon approval of child care financial aid, you must select a legally operating child care program that participates in the child care financial aid program.

• NC Eligibility Guidelines
• Parent Co-Payments
• Parent Policies for Child Care Financial Aid
• Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership

Tax Credits