Paying for Childcare
Children with disabilities receive priority for Early Head Start and Head Start services.
Children with disabilities or special learning needs may be able to attend Head Start programs even if their family’s income is above Head Start limits.
High-quality early care and education is one of the best investments parents can make for their child.
However, child care can be a big expense for families. Quality early care and education requires low child to adult ratios, well-trained staff and an environment that includes a wide range of toys, furniture and materials to help children learn and grow. Each of these factors is reflected in the price that a program charges. However, there are programs that can reduce child care costs.
The type of assistance received will depend on a few factors:
Head Start and Early Head Start
Head Start is a family-focused child development program that offers education, health, parent involvement and social services for low-income children and their families.
Public Preschool
Many elementary schools offer free or low-cost preschool programs for four year-olds. Most of these programs are known as LA4 programs, which is the name of the major source of funding for most public prekindergarten programs. In order to qualify on the basis of income, a family’s income must be below federal income limits. In Louisiana, children must be four years old by September 30th in order to enroll in a public prekindergarten for four year-olds. Public prekindergarten options are limited for three-year-olds.
Nonpublic Schools' Early Childhood Development Program (NSECD)
The Nonpublic School Early Childhood Development program (NSECD) offers free preschool services to four year-olds in participating private schools and early learning centers. In order to qualify for NSECD, a family’s income must be below federal income limits. Families who receive assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP also known as food stamps) or who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch automatically qualify for NSECD.
Visit LA 4 and NSECD Eligibility Worksheet.
Child & Dependent Care Tax Credits
Parents and guardians can claim Child and Dependent Care Credit on both their federal and Louisiana income tax returns.
School Readiness Tax Credits
If a child attends an early learning center that has been rated through Louisiana’s Quality Start program, the family may be eligible for an additional tax credit – the School Readiness Tax Credit (SRTC). This is a tax credit specifically for taxpayers with children who are younger than 6 and who are enrolled in an early learning center that has earned at least two stars.
