CHILD CARE RESOURCES

Find child care, help with tuition, and support for your family

Finding child care can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re juggling work, family needs, and deadlines. This page is here to help you understand your options, connect with trusted local resources, and take the next step with confidence.

This page is for:

Parents and caregivers looking for child care or preschool

Families who need help paying for child care

Caregivers navigating special circumstances (infants, prenatal care, kinship care, developmental concerns)

Start here: Need help finding child care?

If you’re not sure where to begin, you’re not alone. We recommend starting with one of these options:

Get personalized help: Complete the Early Learning and Care Interest Form, and a member of our team will reach out to help you explore options that fit your family.

Talk to a referral specialist: Call Child Care Aware of Northwest Washington’s Family Call Center at 1‑800‑446‑1114 to get one‑on‑one help finding child care anywhere in Washington State.

Who is Child Care Aware?
Child Care Aware of Northwest Washington helps families find and pay for child care. They’re part of Opportunity Council and work with families, providers, and community partners across Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties

Looking for preschool or toddler care?

If you’re looking for care for a toddler or preschool‑aged child (about ages 2–5), visit our Preschool & Child Care page. You’ll find:

Preschool options like Head Start and ECEAP through Opportunity Council and local Whatcom County schools
Full‑day, year‑round child care at Opportunity Council centers

Paying for childcare

Visit the Child Care Aware Family Center – Paying for Child Care webpage or call 1‑800‑446‑1114 to speak with a Referral Specialist. Emergency vouchers may also be available through Child Care Aware NW.

The Working Connections Child Care Subsidy is available through Washington state at select child care programs. Visit the Working Connections Child Care Subsidy webpage through DCYF to learn more and apply.

The Working Connections Child Care Subsidy is accepted at Opportunity Council’s full day, year‑round programs and may be required for some Early Head Start, Head Start, and ECEAP openings.

Apply for Working Connections Child Care Subsidy through DCYF →
(Applications are available online or by phone in multiple languages.)

Other childcare resources

If you’re not finding the right fit through Opportunity Council, these organizations can help you explore additional options.

Help finding child care in Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom Counties

Child Care Aware NW helps families navigate child care options across Northwest Washington in Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom Counties. Offering child care finder and referral specialists, they can help match families with the care that is right for them and may be able to help with emergency payment vouchers.

Call: 1‑800‑446‑1114

Drop-in, overnight, emergency, or after-school care

For Whatcom County families, Childcare Spaces offers a searchable database of local providers and may offer emergency subsidies for qualifying families with a child age 5 or younger.

Call: 360‑595‑3391

Find emergency and other child care options at Childcare Spaces →