CCDF Program and Plan
The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is Washington state’s primary source of federal funding for child care subsidies for families and funds to improve child care quality.
DCYF is required to submit a CCDF Plan every three years. The Plan functions as Washington state’s application for the CCDF grant and describes all DCYF's activities funded by the grant and how they comply with federal CCDF law and rules, such as:
- Working Connections Child Care subsidy program
- Early Achievers
- Child care licensing
The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act of 2014 reauthorized the child care program for the first time since 1996.
This reauthorization represented a historic revision of the CCDF program. Go to the Office of the Administration for Children & Families to learn more about the law.
Recently, new CCDF rules were adopted to lower child care costs for families, improve payments to providers, and streamline subsidy eligibility processes. Go to the Office of the Administration for Children & Families to learn more about the new rules.
2025-2027 CCDF Plan (Current Plan)
2025-2027 CCDF Plan (Certified Sept. 25, 2024)
Previous CCDF Plans
2022-2024 Plan Amendment 4 (Approved as of April 8, 2024)
2022-2024 Plan Amendment 3 (Approved as of Sept. 25, 2023)
2022-2024 Plan Amendment 2 (Approved as of Jan. 25, 2023)
2022-2024 Plan Amendment 2 (Certified Dec. 14, 2022)
2022-2024 Plan Initial Submission
Cost of Quality Care and Market Rate Study Reports
- 2024 Cost of Quality Care and Market Rate Study Report *NEW*
- 2024 Cost of Quality Care and Market Rate Study - Summary Report *NEW*
- 2021 Child Care Market Rate Study Report
If you have questions regarding CCDF, the Plan, or the Cost of Quality Care and Market Rate Study Reports, please contact Federal Initiatives and Collaboration Administrator, Matt Judge.
If you need assistance finding benefits and resources, please visit the Getting Help webpage.