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If you are seeking child care, call the Child Care Aware of Washington Family Center: 1-800-446-1114

Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy Program

Mother, father, and infant
Family sits together

The Best Starts for Kids Subsidy is a voter-approved initiative to help children and families in King County access high-quality child care.

This program is designed to support families who are ineligible for or not well-served by existing subsidy programs. This program prioritizes families experiencing challenges to accessing child care, and in doing so, seeks to advance equity and eliminate disparities.

The Waitlist is Open!

The waitlist for the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy Program is open! Click here to fill out this 5-minute form  to be considered for child care funding available later this year.

 

Some families on the waitlist will be selected through a lottery to complete a full application and, if eligible, enroll in the program to receive a child care subsidy.

 

While joining the wait list doesn’t guarantee you a spot in the subsidy, it is an essential to join the wait list for a chance to be selected.

 

Even if you joined the waitlist previously, please fill out the form to update your information. Selections will be made from those families who have provided their information by filling out the waitlist form.

FAQs

Mother holding infant

Making a Difference for Families

Helping parents balance work, school, and family with safe, affordable child care.

Raising children in King County brings joy and challenges. For many families, the high cost of child care makes it difficult to balance work, school, and family life. The Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy helps ease that burden. 

Since launching in 2022, the program has helped more than 2,000 children access safe, nurturing care while easing the financial burden for their families.

Families often describe the subsidy as a lifeline — one that helps them meet basic needs like food, housing, and healthcare, while creating space to focus on what matters most: raising happy, healthy children. 

The Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy is more than financial support. It’s about supporting every baby born or child raised in King County to reach adulthood happy, healthy, safe, and thriving. 

Healthy kids. Stable families. Brighter futures.

Families tell us this support has been life-changing — and the results speak for themselves:

Families with young children doubled their weekly child care hours after joining the subsidy.

The subsidy cut child care–related work disruptions from 68% of families to just 19%.

With stable child care, families were able to work more, pursue careers, and go back to school.

Most families said the subsidy gave them more time with their kids, stronger relationships, and better access to food.

Parents reported big gains in emotional health, stress management, and physical wellbeing.

Children’s emotional and physical wellbeing soared after families received support.

87% of families said the subsidy helped them afford essentials like food, housing, and healthcare.

What families are saying...

"The ability to be able to have assistance with childcare has helped tremendously with stress and my child is able to socialize in a childcare setting which helps with the foundation of their development."

Ready to Apply or Reauthorize?

Need Support? Contact Us!

Whether you’re a family or a provider, we’re here to help.

 

For the fastest response, call or text us. Or, email the team with your questions or a brief description of your issue, and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible!

caregivers and children sing together

Enrolled in the Best Starts for Kids Subsidy Program and looking for resources?

Now Using BridgeCare!

BridgeCare is the new system families and providers will use to manage their child care subsidy.

New families interested in joining the program will complete the Waitlist Application in this new portal.

Currently enrolled families and providers will be able to log in to check information, complete tasks, upload documents, and get updates about subsidy awards. The new portal is easier to use and works on your phone, tablet, or computer.

Our Commitment 

We know change isn’t always easy, and we appreciate your patience. This new system is an important step in making our program more equitable, accessible, and responsive to your needs. We’re here to help you every step of the way. 

Common Questions from Enrolled Families

Want to learn more about Best Starts Subsidy Program Terms and Conditions?

Mother with her two children

What families are saying...

“I make too much to qualify for state subsidies, but not enough to even remotely raise children in King County. Without [the subsidy], childcare would have been (all) of my take home pay…This subsidy has taken away so much stress…[and] allowed me to feed my children healthy, whole foods…without worrying about money, and pay my mortgage and utilities without draining my savings. It has been life changing.”

If you are missing owed subsidy payments, please let us know here: