1. Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) — Free
Childcare subsidy for eligible working families.
(877) 202-4453 · Statewide program · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website
Best Childcare Assistance in Illinois — 16 verified resources
16 Resources
2. Illinois ExceleRate Quality Rating — Free
Quality rating helping parents find childcare.
(866) 324-5553 · Statewide program · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
3. Illinois Early Head Start — Free
Free early childhood for infants and toddlers.
(866) 324-5553 · Statewide program · Mon-Fri 7:30am-5:30pm · Visit Website
4. Illinois Preschool for All — Free
Free preschool for at-risk three and four-year-olds.
(866) 324-5553 · Statewide program · Mon-Fri school hours · Visit Website
5. Illinois Action for Children — Resource & Referral — Free
Helps parents find quality childcare.
(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
Before/after school care and camps.
(312) 932-1200 · Multiple Chicago locations · Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm · Visit Website
7. Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago — After School
Affordable after-school programs.
(312) 235-8000 · Multiple Chicago locations · Mon-Fri 2pm-8pm · Visit Website
8. ChildCare.gov — Free
Federal hub for finding quality child care, financial assistance, and learning about state subsidies.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
9. Office of Child Care (ACF) — Free
Federal office administering Child Care and Development Fund. Subsidies and quality programs in every state.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
10. Head Start Locator — Free
Free, federally funded preschool for low-income families with children 0-5. Find a program near you.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
11. Early Head Start — Free
Federally funded early childhood program for pregnant women and families with infants and toddlers.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
12. Child Care Aware of America — Free
1-800-424-2246 — free help finding quality, affordable childcare in your community.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
13. Zero to Three — Free
Resources for parents and professionals on early childhood development from birth to age 3.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
14. USDA Child & Adult Care Food Program — Free
CACFP — federal program reimbursing childcare providers for nutritious meals served to children.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
15. Boys & Girls Clubs of America — Free
Safe, affordable after-school and summer programs for children ages 6-18 nationwide.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
16. National Association for Family Child Care — Free
NAFCC — supporting quality home-based childcare and helping parents find accredited family providers.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Frequently Asked
- How many childcare assistance resources are in Illinois?
- Women's Corner tracks 16 verified 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 verified phone numbers.