Care 4 Kids – Connecticut’s Childcare subsidy

Care 4 Kids helps low to moderate income families in Connecticut pay for child care costs, along with foster and adoptive families. This program is sponsored by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood.

Several childcare centers and camps in Southington accept the Care 4 Kids subsidy. They are identified in the ECCS Resources listing or call 211 to identify participating providers.

UPDATES as of October 2026:
- Start by completing the pre-screener to see if you may be eligible. Click here to see if you qualify: https://oec.service.ct.gov/C4KPortal/s/eligibility.
- Current wait time is approximately 6 months on the Enrollment List. (As of 10/15/26 they are inviting families who applied in early April 2026 to take the next step.)
- All families who are placed on the Enrollment List are determined likely eligible for Care 4 Kids.
- Care 4 Kids is moving to a fully paperless process effective January 1, 2027. As of this date, all applications, redeterminations, and changes must be submitted electronically through the Care 4 Kids Parent Portal, as paper forms will no longer be accepted. Providers will use the OEC 360 Provider Portal to submit information and invoices.
- Families do not need to submit a Parent-Provider Agreement (PPA) while on the Enrollment List.
- Foster and Adoptive Families apply for Care 4 Kids directly online through the Care 4 Kids Parent Portal. Previously they went through DCF. The child is eligible to begin child care the day the Foster/Adoptive Parent submits the application on the Care 4 Kids Parent Portal. The application will appear in Pending Status on the Parent Portal until the certificates are issued.

To participate in the program, there are certain eligibility requirements for parents, children and child care providers. Using the Care 4 Kids Eligibility Screener at https://oec.service.ct.gov/C4KPortal/s/eligibility is the best way to confirm this.
Families must:
- live in Connecticut;
- be working or attending a temporary family cash assistance (Jobs First) approved education or training activity; and
- meet the program’s income requirements. The eligibility income guidelines increased from 50% to 60% of the State Median Income as of July 1, 2021.

Children must:
- live in Connecticut; and
- be under age 13, or if the child has special needs, be under age 19.

Providers must:
- be licensed by the CT Office of Early Childhood (unless exempt from licensing); or
- be a relative, like a grandparent; or
- take care of the child in the child’s home.



Phone: 1-888-214-KIDS (5437)

Web Site: http://www.ctcare4kids.com