How many childcare assistance resources are in Illinois?

Women's Corner tracks 16 childcare assistance resources for women in Illinois.

Are childcare assistance resources in Illinois free?

14 of the 16 listed childcare assistance resources in Illinois are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Illinois have childcare assistance resources?

Listings span cities including Chicago.

What are some examples of childcare assistance resources in Illinois?

Featured entries include Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), Illinois ExceleRate Quality Rating, Illinois Early Head Start, Illinois Preschool for All, Illinois Action for Children — Resource & Referral.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

7 of 16 Illinois 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.

Best Childcare Assistance in Illinois — 16 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 Illinois

Illinois handles family law through circuit courts in each of its 23 judicial circuits, with Cook County running its own Domestic Relations Division. The Division of Child Support Services handles enforcement. Chicago dominates the state; Aurora, Rockford, Joliet, Naperville, and Peoria follow. Legal Aid Chicago, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, and the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence support women.

16 Resources

1. Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) — Free

CCAP at IDHS subsidizes childcare for Illinois working families with income up to 225% FPL (about $59,000 for a family of three) at sliding-scale copays. Children up to age 12 can be cared for at licensed centers, licensed family homes, or license-exempt relatives. Call (877) 202-4453 weekdays 8:30am-5pm or apply online at abe.illinois.gov. Illinois expanded CCAP eligibility in 2022, making more middle-income mothers eligible.

(877) 202-4453 · Statewide program · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Illinois ExceleRate Quality Rating — Free

ExceleRate Illinois is the state's quality-rating system letting parents see Bronze, Silver, or Gold circle ratings of every licensed Illinois childcare center and home. The free search at excelerateillinois.com lets mothers filter by ZIP, age served, infant-toddler vs. preschool, and CCAP acceptance. Call (866) 324-5553 weekdays 8am-5pm for help. Quality circles correlate with research-backed practices including teacher credentials and curriculum.

(866) 324-5553 · Statewide program · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Illinois Early Head Start — Free

Illinois Early Head Start serves low-income pregnant women and families with children 0-3 through center-based, home-based, and family-childcare models. Programs are administered at the local level by community-action agencies, school districts, and nonprofits. Call (866) 324-5553 weekdays 7:30am-5:30pm for the program serving your address. EHS is free for income-eligible Illinois families (typically below 130% FPL) and prioritizes pregnant women.

(866) 324-5553 · Statewide program · Mon-Fri 7:30am-5:30pm · Visit Website

4. Illinois Preschool for All — Free

Preschool for All, funded by ISBE, provides free half-day or full-day preschool for at-risk Illinois three- and four-year-olds in 600+ school districts. Eligibility considers income (below 4x FPL), language, disability, and family-risk factors. Some sites offer extended-day care for working mothers. Call (866) 324-5553 weekdays for enrollment; Illinois is on track to deliver universal preschool through the Smart Start initiative by 2027.

(866) 324-5553 · Statewide program · Mon-Fri school hours · Visit Website

5. Illinois Action for Children — Resource & Referral — Free

Illinois Action for Children at 1 N Dearborn, Suite 1000 is the CCAP-administering agency for Cook County, processing thousands of new families weekly. The R&R team helps Cook mothers find quality childcare matched to their schedule, age of child, and ZIP. Call (312) 823-1100 weekdays 8:30am-5pm. IAFC also runs the Mentor Coaching for childcare providers and statewide policy advocacy for early-childhood investments.

(312) 823-1100 · 1 N Dearborn St Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60602 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

6. YMCA of Metro Chicago — Childcare

YMCA of Metro Chicago operates licensed childcare, preschool, before/after-school, and summer day-camp at 22 community centers across Chicago, Cook County, and the collar counties. CCAP and sliding-scale fees keep care affordable for working mothers. Call (312) 932-1200 weekdays 6:30am-6pm to find the nearest center; care starts as early as 6 weeks and most sites offer extended hours covering shift work and early commutes.

(312) 932-1200 · Multiple Chicago locations · Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm · Visit Website

7. Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago — After School

Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago runs 25 club locations on Chicago's South and West Sides offering free after-school programming from 2pm-8pm for ages 6-18 plus summer day camp. Programs include homework help, STEM, athletics, and the Diplomas to Degrees college-readiness track. Call (312) 235-8000 weekdays 2pm-8pm to find a club; membership is typically 5/year and scholarships are available for any family unable to pay.

(312) 235-8000 · Multiple Chicago locations · Mon-Fri 2pm-8pm · Visit Website

8. ChildCare.gov — Free

ChildCare.gov is the federal hub for finding quality childcare, understanding financial assistance, and learning about state subsidies. Illinois links route to CCAP through Illinois Action for Children and downstate Child Care Resource & Referral agencies. The site explains the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and how Illinois Smart Start expansions are increasing childcare access through 2027.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. Office of Child Care (ACF) — Free

OCC within HHS Administration for Children & Families administers the Child Care and Development Fund — the federal block grant that funds Illinois's CCAP and quality initiatives at IDHS. Illinois receives over $400M annually in CCDF dollars supporting subsidies for 100,000+ Illinois children. OCC's site explains national rules and links to state-specific information for Illinois mothers researching subsidy eligibility.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Head Start Locator — Free

ECLKC's Head Start Center Locator finds free federally funded Head Start (ages 3-5) and Early Head Start (0-3) programs anywhere in Illinois. Major Illinois Head Start grantees include Chicago Public Schools, City Colleges, Carole Robertson Center for Learning, Illinois Action for Children, and downstate community-action agencies. Eligibility is generally below 130% FPL with priorities for foster children, homeless families, and TANF recipients.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Early Head Start — Free

Early Head Start is the 0-3 federal program providing prenatal services to pregnant women and comprehensive early-childhood services to infants and toddlers in low-income Illinois families. Illinois operates EHS through Head Start grantees and the EHS-Child Care Partnerships expanding access at licensed childcare centers. Programs include home visits, center-based care, and family-childcare partnership models.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Child Care Aware of America — Free

Child Care Aware of America at 1-800-424-2246 routes Illinois mothers to Child Care Resource & Referral agencies — Illinois Action for Children in Cook County, YWCA Lake County's CCR&R, Community Coordinated Child Care in DuPage, and downstate CCR&Rs covering every Illinois region. Free help includes referrals to licensed providers, CCAP application support, and consumer-education materials in multiple languages.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Zero to Three — Free

Zero to Three publishes free expert resources on infant-toddler development that Illinois pediatricians, EHS programs, and home visitors use with families. The Parenting Resources hub addresses sleep, feeding, tantrums, separation anxiety, and developmental milestones with research-backed guidance. Illinois mothers can sign up for free weekly emails matched to their child's age and access the HealthySteps program through select Illinois pediatric practices.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. USDA Child & Adult Care Food Program — Free

CACFP reimburses Illinois childcare centers, family-childcare homes, after-school programs, and emergency shelters for nutritious meals served to children, which helps lower fees families pay. ISBE administers CACFP in Illinois, serving 500,000+ children daily. Mothers benefit indirectly through lower-cost meals at participating Illinois daycares and shelters. The USDA page lists Illinois providers and the federal meal-pattern requirements they follow.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Boys & Girls Clubs of America — Free

Boys & Girls Clubs of America federates Illinois affiliates including BGC Chicago (25 clubs), BGC Rockford, BGC Quincy, BGC Decatur, BGC Carbondale, and others statewide. Each club offers safe, affordable after-school and summer programming for children ages 6-18 with academic, athletic, and arts programming. Annual membership runs $5-$50 with scholarships ensuring no child is turned away. National locator finds the closest Illinois club.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. National Association for Family Child Care — Free

NAFCC accredits home-based family childcare providers and lists Illinois NAFCC-accredited homes — typically the highest-quality licensed family-home option. Illinois has hundreds of accredited family-childcare providers serving infants through school-age children with low ratios and personalized care. The accreditation badge signals teachers meet standards above Illinois DCFS licensing requirements; the site provides a free locator and quality-indicator checklist.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many childcare assistance resources are in Illinois?: Women's Corner tracks 16 childcare assistance resources for women in Illinois.
Are childcare assistance resources in Illinois free?: 14 of the 16 listed childcare assistance resources in Illinois are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Illinois have childcare assistance resources?: Listings span cities including Chicago.
What are some examples of childcare assistance resources in Illinois?: Featured entries include Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), Illinois ExceleRate Quality Rating, Illinois Early Head Start, Illinois Preschool for All, Illinois Action for Children — Resource & Referral.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 7 of 16 Illinois 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.