Searching for Affordable Child Care?

Parents with low or moderate income have several options for childcare assistance.

• First, call the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) at (785) 832-3700 or go by their office at 1901 Delaware to request an application for SRS Childcare Assistance. If you are approved, SRS will assign you a family fee based on your income. Each month, you will pay only the family fee to your chosen childcare provider. SRS will reimburse your provider directly for your childcare.

• If you are not eligible for SRS assistance, there are tuition scholarships available at seven Lawrence childcare centers and preschools. Call Douglas County Child Development Association for a list of centers and their openings. Once you have chosen a center, ask the director about available scholarship money. In addition, many of the area elementary schools offer before and after-school programs. Contact the secretary of your child’s school. If you are a student, you are not eligible for SRS assistance, but you may be eligible for a DCCDA tuition scholarship as mentioned above. If you attend KU, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) at 864-4700. Childcare Assistance Grants are available to qualifying students.

• Eligible four year olds who are not enrolled in a preschool program may attend the full-day Readiness Program, offered through USD 497. Families must qualify for free or reduced lunch and be willing to participate in the classroom 1 hour a week and attend quarterly workshops. There is no cost. Call (785)832-5962, ext. 24.

• Consider a Head Start Preschool. Families who meet federal poverty guidelines can receive free care for 3-5 year olds from 7:30-12:30. Afternoon care is available for $1.94 an hour, and SRS funding is accepted. Call (785)842-2515. Also available is the Child Development Program at East Heights School. Children who are eligible for free lunches may attend from 7:30-5:30 for $1.94 an hour.