Best Childcare Assistance in North Dakota — 12 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 North Dakota

North Dakota district courts handle family matters across seven judicial districts. The Child Support Division operates under DHHS. Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot are the largest cities. Legal Services of North Dakota and CAWS North Dakota (the statewide DV coalition) provide civil legal aid and safety services to women.

12 Resources

1. Child Care Aware of ND — Free

Child Care Aware of ND, operated by Lutheran Social Services, provides free phone consultation matching mothers with licensed childcare providers, the CCDF subsidy intake, and the Bright & Early ND quality-rating directory. Call 800-997-8515 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; specialists can also help locate evening, overnight, or weekend childcare for ND mothers working non-traditional shifts.

800-997-8515 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. YMCA of Cass-Clay — Childcare

YMCA Cass Clay operates the largest childcare network in eastern ND — preschool, before/after-school care, and summer camps at multiple Fargo-Moorhead locations. Sliding-scale fees and CCDF subsidy accepted. Open Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm matching most work schedules. Call 701-293-9622 to tour a specific site and join the waitlist.

701-293-9622 · Fargo, ND · Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm · Visit Website

3. Boys & Girls Club of the Red River Valley — Free

Boys & Girls Club of the Red River Valley operates safe, affordable after-school and summer programs in Fargo for children ages 6-18. Annual membership is around 5 with scholarships available. Activities include homework help, sports, art, and STEM. Call 701-232-7452 Mon-Fri to register your child and check transportation routes from schools.

701-232-7452 · Fargo, ND · Mon-Fri after school-7pm · Visit Website

4. ChildCare.gov — Free

childcare.gov is the federal Office of Child Care portal explaining the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) subsidy ND mothers can apply for through their Human Service Zone. Eligibility roughly 60% of state median income; the subsidy lowers parent co-pay dramatically. Site also explains tax credits (CDCTC) that further reduce childcare costs.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

5. Office of Child Care (ACF) — Free

The federal Office of Child Care at acf.hhs.gov/occ administers CCDF — the block grant that funds ND's childcare subsidy program. The OCC website hosts ND's CCDF Plan describing exactly which families qualify, what providers can be paid, and the quality-rating Bright & Early system mothers can use to choose providers.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

6. Head Start Locator — Free

Head Start serves children ages 3-5 from low-income families with free comprehensive preschool, while Early Head Start serves pregnant women and infants/toddlers up to age 3. ND grantees include Community Action programs in major regions. Use eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/center-locator to find sites; income limits roughly at federal poverty.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

7. Early Head Start — Free

Early Head Start serves pregnant women and children from birth to age 3 from low-income families. Programs include home-visiting models that bring child development education directly to ND mothers in rural communities. Many ND tribal communities operate Tribal Head Start/Early Head Start as part of their education systems.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. Child Care Aware of America — Free

Child Care Aware of America's national line at 1-800-424-2246 connects mothers to local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agencies — in ND, Child Care Aware of ND. CCR&R counselors are the most knowledgeable single source on local provider quality, vacancies, and subsidy navigation. Free and confidential.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. Zero to Three — Free

Zero to Three at zerotothree.org publishes the most current research-based parenting guidance for infants and toddlers — sleep, feeding, brain development, and emotional regulation. Particularly valuable for ND first-time mothers without nearby family support. Free podcasts and printable handouts in English and Spanish.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. USDA Child & Adult Care Food Program — Free

CACFP reimburses childcare centers and family providers for the cost of nutritious meals served to children. ND providers participating in CACFP must follow federal nutrition standards — useful indicator for mothers vetting providers. Look for the CACFP placard at the provider; the program is administered in ND through the Department of Public Instruction.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Boys & Girls Clubs of America — Free

Boys & Girls Clubs of America at bgca.org locates affiliates across ND — Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and several rural clubs serving Native communities. Programs combine after-school care with character development, academic support, and sports for children ages 6-18. Annual fees nominal with scholarships always available.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. National Association for Family Child Care — Free

NAFCC at nafcc.org accredits home-based family childcare providers, an option many ND mothers prefer for infants and toddlers. The NAFCC accreditation is rigorous — covering health, safety, and child-development practices — and a useful quality marker beyond ND's state licensing minimums.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many childcare assistance resources are in North Dakota?
Women's Corner tracks 12 childcare assistance resources for women in North Dakota.
Are childcare assistance resources in North Dakota free?
11 of the 12 listed childcare assistance resources in North Dakota are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in North Dakota have childcare assistance resources?
Listings span cities including Fargo.
What are some examples of childcare assistance resources in North Dakota?
Featured entries include Child Care Aware of ND, YMCA of Cass-Clay — Childcare, Boys & Girls Club of the Red River Valley, ChildCare.gov, Office of Child Care (ACF).
Do these listings include phone numbers?
3 of 12 North Dakota 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.