Using D.C. childcare vouchers at Kids Come First.

What is a D.C. childcare voucher?

In Washington, D.C., vouchers are officially called the DC Child Care Subsidy Program. It is run by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and helps families with low and moderate incomes, as well as families with special circumstances, pay for child care. If you are approved, the program pays all or part of your child care cost directly to us each month. Depending on your income, you may pay a small copay to the provider. Many families pay nothing at all.

Kids Come First Daycare is a licensed child development facility that accepts D.C. childcare vouchers. You can use your subsidy for our infant, toddler, and pre-K classrooms, for children ages 6 weeks to 4 years.

Good to know: the current waitlist

OSSE currently has a waitlist for new subsidy applicants. When you apply and are found eligible, you are placed in a priority group. Families in the highest priority groups can enroll right away, while lower priority groups are placed on the waitlist until space opens. Families already receiving vouchers keep them as long as they stay eligible and complete their yearly redetermination.

Rules and priority groups change, so check the official OSSE subsidy page for the latest status before you apply.

Who qualifies

Every family's situation is different, but OSSE generally looks at four things:

• Where you live. At least one parent or guardian must live in Washington, D.C.
• Your child's age and status. Your child must meet age requirements and citizenship or immigration status rules.
• Your reason for care. A qualifying need, such as working, looking for work, attending school or job training, or a special family circumstance.
• Your income. Household income is checked against a scale based on your family size.

If both parents live in the home, each parent usually needs to show proof of the qualifying need. For the full eligibility rules, see OSSE's eligibility and application FAQ.

Documents to gather

Having your paperwork ready makes the application much faster. OSSE typically asks for:

• Photo ID for the parent or guardian applying
• Your child's birth record to confirm age
• Proof your child's citizenship or immigration status
• Proof you live in D.C., such as a lease or utility bill
• Recent pay stubs or proof of income for each working parent
• Proof of your qualifying need, such as an employer letter, school schedule, or proof of benefits

Some documents can be submitted within 60 days of applying rather than at the start. OSSE's document guide explains which ones. If you are unsure what counts, our team can walk through it with you.

How to apply

1. 1Apply online. D.C. families apply through the DC Family Child Care Subsidy Portal, available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, French, and Amharic.
2. 2Get a decision. OSSE reviews your application and documents, then tells you whether you are eligible and what your copay, if any, would be.
3. 3Choose Kids Come First. Once your subsidy is approved, name Kids Come First Daycare as your provider. OSSE pays us directly, and we handle the rest of the paperwork with you.

Questions about the application itself can go to OSSE at (202) 727-6436 or OSSE.Subsidy@dc.gov.

How we help at enrollment

Vouchers can feel like a lot of paperwork, so you do not have to figure it out alone. Ms. Dyson works with subsidy families through every enrollment and helps with the provider-side forms. Once your voucher is active, we confirm your authorization with OSSE, set up your billing, and answer copay questions before your child's first day.

Not sure whether your family qualifies, or already have a voucher and want a spot? Call Ms. Dyson at (202) 733-1213. You will hear back from Ms. Dyson, typically within 1 business day.