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Discover child care and early education options in LA County

Learn about care settings, find programs near you, and get help paying for care.

  • Finding child care for your family starts here. “Child Care and “early education” both describe programs where families receive child care services and children learn. LA County offers a range of choices to fit your family’s needs, and payment assistance may be available.

    Here’s how to get started:

    1. Explore your options

      Select a child care setting to learn more about what might work best for your family.

    2. Find programs near you

      Next, scroll down to find child care and early education referrals and resources to connect with providers in your area.

    3. Learn about payment assistance

      Then, learn more about payment assistance for free or low-cost child care and early education.

  • Types of Child Care and Early Education Settings

  • WHAT IT IS
    Licensed programs where services are provided by early childhood educators in a school-like setting. Children are usually grouped together by age group. Multiple classrooms are overseen by a director.

    SCHEDULE
    Half and full day programs.

    ADULT TO CHILD RATIO
    1 adult for every 8 or 12 children, depending on the program type.

    COST
    Free, low-cost, and paid options.

  • WHAT IT IS
    Licensed programs where services are provided by early childhood educators in their own home. This smaller setting serves children of various ages together.

    SCHEDULE
    Half and full day programs. Many offer extended, evening, or weekend hours.

    ADULT TO CHILD RATIO
    Small: 1 adult for every 8 children Large: 2 adults for 14 children.

    COST
    Free, low-cost, and paid options.

  • WHAT IT IS
    Care provided by a relative, friend, or neighbor in your home or their home.

    SCHEDULE
    No set schedule. Many caregivers offer extended, evening, or weekend hours.

    ADULT TO CHILD RATIO
    No formal regulations. Many care for 1-2 children.

    COST
    Free, low-cost, and paid options.

  • WHAT IT IS
    Free programs, like transitional kindergarten (TK), are offered by public elementary schools specifically for 4-year-olds. It is taught by an elementary school teacher. Schools may also offer programs for children birth through 3-years old.

    SCHEDULE
    Half and full day programs. Some schools offer child care before and after school.

    ADULT TO CHILD RATIO
    1 adult for every 8 or 10 children, depending on the program type.

    COST
    TK is free for 4-year-olds; other programs may have free or low-cost options.

Get connected with child care and early education
options near you

  • Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles

    The Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles provides parents with referrals to child care and early education programs throughout LA County.

    Types of Care:
    Child Care and Early Education Center, Family Child Care Home, and Elementary Schools

    Connectto Child Care Referrals
    (888) 922-4453

  • Los Angeles County Office of Education

    Los Angeles County Office of Education Head Start provides referrals to free early education programs for low – income children from birth to 5 years old.

    Types of Care:
    Child Care and Early Education Center

    ExploreHead Start Programs
    (877) 773-5543

  • Local Elementary School

    Local elementary schools provide free transitional kindergarten for all 4 year old children and may also have early care and education programs for younger children.

    Types of Care:
    Child Care and Early Education Center and Elementary Schools

    FindYour Neighborhood School

  • My Child Care Plan

    My Child Care plan is a website that provides families with child care referrals throughout California.

    Types of Care:
    Child Care and Early Education Center, and Family Child Care Home

    DiscoverChild Care Options

Find payment assistance for free or low-cost child care and early education

  • Ask if you qualify for a voucher to pay for child care

    HOW TO CONNECT

    • Visit Child Care Alliance Los Angeles (CCALA) www.ccala.net to get connected to a Resource and Referral agency who can tell you if you qualify for a child care payment voucher.

  • Apply at a local child care and early education center 

    HOW TO CONNECT

    • Ask your local child care and early education center or family child care home if they offer free or low-cost programs.
    • Some free programs include Early Head Start, Head Start, California State Preschool Program, or General Child Care.

  • Visit your local elementary school 

    HOW TO CONNECT

    • Go to your local elementary school and ask what child care and early education programs they offer.
    • Elementary schools throughout Los Angeles County provide free transitional kindergarten or “TK” for 4-year-old children.
    • Some elementary schools also offer programs for children who are birth –five.

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