Boston Head Start | Childcare Program Options

Childcare Program Options

As part of its goal to serve the many varied needs of low-income children and families in the Boston area, ABCD Head Start provides childcare options to those working and in-school parents who seek a safe, nurturing environment for their children beyond the hours of the regular Head Start program. The childcare services offered through Head Start include the same high-quality, holistic care, which is specifically devoted to early childhood education and a child’s total health and well-being, as our regular Head Start program.

Thanks to multiple funding sources, approximately 700 of the 2400 children in ABCD Head Start currently receive full-day, full-year services. Together, Head Start and Children’s Services offer these services to children who are two months to five years old. In some cases, this full-day, full-year care is in addition to the five hours of regular Head Start services already being provided to participating children each day.

The childcare options offered by Head Start including the following programs:

Head Start Slots: Children receive up to five hours of preschool. Children must meet the age requirement, and families must meet the income and residency requirements. Families do not pay for the Head Start portion of the day, but there may be a parent fee for the childcare services. This program is funded through the Federal Government.

Early Head Start Slots: Children receive full-day and full-year services. This program is for infants and toddlers, and families must meet the income and residency requirements. Families do not pay for the Early Head Start-funded part of the day, but there may be a parent fee for the childcare services. This program is funded by the Federal Government.

Vouchers: Working, income-eligible parents, and parents who attend training programs, may be eligible for vouchers issued through Resource and Referral agencies. These parents pay for childcare services according to a sliding fee scale. Some slots are available at no charge to teen parents, disabled children or adults, and families with a Department of Social Services identified Family Preservation need. These vouchers include the following:

Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Voucher: To receive a DTA Voucher, parents must currently be receiving TANF (Welfare). They should contact their social worker at their local welfare office to see if they are eligible. Teen Parents, 18 years old and younger, are eligible, as long as they are enrolled in high school or a GED program and are living at home.

Teen Parent Slots and Vouchers: Those teen parents under age 18, who are not receiving TANF, must be enrolled in high school or a GED program or working at least 20 hours per week. Teen parents between the ages of 13 and 19 may obtain a teen parent voucher through Child Care Choices of Boston. These recipients must attend high school or a GED program full time, attend college, or work a minimum of 30 hours per week, or both, with income at or below 50 percent of the state median income guideline. Teen parents, ages 19 to 20, may use a teen parent slot if they are enrolled in high school/GED program full time or are working a minimum of 30 hours per week, attending college, or both. They are not required to be living at home.

Income Eligible Vouchers: Those who are not eligible for a DTA Voucher may qualify for income eligible vouchers. To receive these vouchers, parents must currently work a minimum of 20 hours per week, for part time care, or 30 hours per week, for full time care; be in school; have a child with a disability; or be an incapacitated parent. Fees are based on family size and household income, which must be at or below 50 percent of the state's median income guidelines. All qualifying families must have a source of income. These vouchers are only available when funds are allocated from the state.

Department of Early Education and Care Contracted Slots: Available only for income-eligible families, these slots are held by childcare centers. Parents must contact the Head Start or ABCD Childcare provider directly in order to access these slots. Sliding scale fees are based on family size and household income. A family's income must be at or below 50 percent of the state's median income guidelines to qualify.

Community Partnership Slots: Income eligible children ages three to four years old receive full-day and part-day care. These slots are held by the childcare centers. Parents must contact the Head Start or ABCD Childcare providers directly in order to access these slots. Sliding scale fees are based on family size and household income, which must be at or below 100 percent of state median income guidelines. This program is funded by the Department of Early Education and Care.

Supportive Slots: Family Preservation Slots are available to those families who currently have an open case with the Department of Social Services (DSS). These slots are held by the childcare centers, and a referral must come from their DSS worker. Interested parents must contact Head Start or ABCD Childcare providers directly in order to access these slots.