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King County Best Starts for Kids

A "how to" guide to help you navigate the application process for King County Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy Program

What is the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy Program?

The Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy Program is a six-year, $160 million investment by King County voters to expand equitable access to child care for families in the community. The program provides financial assistance so more than 2,000 children and their families can afford child care by providing a monthly payment to the eligible child care provider of their choice.

How do I apply for the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy Program?

Note: The program is currently full and new applications are on a waitlist

The application process involves multiple steps:

Step 1: Interest Form

  • Fill out a 5-minute Interest Form to see if you will be invited to complete a full application
  • Available online at the program website
  • This does NOT guarantee child care funding

Step 2: Full Application (by invitation only)

  • If selected from the interest form, you'll be contacted to complete the full application
  • Selection is done through a lottery system, NOT first-come, first-served
  • Applications available in multiple languages

Contact Information:

How long does it take to receive funds from the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy Program?

Application and Selection Timeline:

  • Interest Form: 5 minutes to complete
  • Selection Process: Uses lottery system rather than first-come, first-served
  • Waitlist: Due to high demand, the program reached full enrollment in April and eligible applicants are placed on a waitlist
  • Ongoing Selection: Regular attrition allows for new families to be selected from the waitlist months after submitting interest form

Service Timeline:

  • Financial Support: Begins after approval and provider enrollment
  • Monthly Payments: Subsidy payments are made monthly to your chosen licensed child care provider
  • Program Duration: The subsidy is available through the six-year program period (through 2027)

What do the application steps look like?

  1. Check Your Eligibility: Verify you live in King County, meet income requirements (below 85% State Median Income), and are not eligible for WCCC or Seattle CCAP
  2. Review Income Guidelines:
    • Family of 2: Must be below approximately $6,980 monthly
    • Family of 3: Must be below approximately $8,623 monthly
    • Family of 4: Must be below approximately $91,000 annually ($7,583 monthly)
    • Income based on gross (pre-tax) household income
  3. Confirm King County Residency: Use the county map tool to determine if your home address is within King County limits
  4. Select Licensed Provider: Choose a child care provider licensed with the State of Washington and in good standing (check at findchildcarewa.org)
  5. Complete Interest Form: Fill out the 5-minute online interest form
  6. Wait for Selection: Program uses lottery system to select families from interest form submissions
  7. Complete Full Application: If selected, you'll be contacted to complete the comprehensive application
  8. Submit Documentation: Provide required verification documents
  9. Provider Enrollment: Work with your chosen provider to complete enrollment in the program
  10. Begin Services: Start receiving subsidized child care once everything is approved

What documentation is required when I fill out my application?

Residency Documentation

  • Proof that you live within King County limits
  • Utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements showing King County address

Income Verification

  • Proof of gross (pre-tax) monthly household income
  • Pay stubs, tax returns, benefits statements
  • Self-employment income documentation
  • Documentation for all household income sources

Family Composition Information

  • Information about household size including:
    • Yourself
    • Each child under 18 living with you (regardless of child care need)
    • Up to one other adult: spouse, domestic partner, or significant other with whom you have a child
    • 18-year-old child still in high school can be counted

Child Information

  • Ages and information for children needing care (12 years old and under)
  • Proof of children's ages and residency

Provider Information

  • Documentation that your chosen provider is licensed with Washington State
  • Provider must be in good standing (verifiable at findchildcarewa.org)

Immigration Status

  • No citizenship or legal residency requirement
  • Families with undocumented members are fully eligible to apply

Ineligibility Documentation

  • Verification that you're not eligible for Washington State Working Connections Child Care (WCCC)
  • Confirmation you're not enrolled in Seattle Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

Common FAQ's

Q: What are the income requirements? A: Your family must make below 85% of State Median Income. For example, a family of four must earn less than approximately $91,000 annually. You also cannot be eligible for Washington State's Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) or currently receiving Seattle's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).

Q: Can undocumented families apply? A: Yes! Families with one or more undocumented members are fully eligible to apply. There is no citizenship or legal residency requirement for this program. The program is designed to be inclusive and welcoming to all King County families who meet the other eligibility criteria.

Q: Is the program currently accepting new applications? A: The program is currently full and reached capacity in April. New eligible applicants are placed on a waitlist. The waitlist is temporarily closed during the transition to the new administrator (BrightSpark) and new system platform (BridgeCare), but will reopen.

Q: How does the selection process work? A: The program uses a lottery system, NOT first-come, first-served. After completing the interest form, families are selected through a lottery process. Those not selected are automatically added to the waitlist, and regular attrition allows for ongoing selection of new families.

Q: What providers can I use? A: You can choose any child care provider that is licensed with the State of Washington and in good standing. You can verify your provider's licensing status at findchildcarewa.org. The program pays the provider directly, and the provider must be willing to participate in the program.

Who do I contact about my application status?

Main Program Contact:

Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy Program

Program Administrator:

BrightSpark Early Learning Services (Formerly Child Care Resources)

Language Support:

  • Interpretation Services: Available in any language at 206-208-6865
  • Materials Available In: Amharic, Arabic, Chinese (simplified and traditional), English, Korean, Oromo, Russian, Spanish, Somali, and Vietnamese

Related Programs and Resources:

For families not eligible for Best Starts:

  • Working Connections Child Care: (844) 626-8687 (for families earning below 60.01% SMI)
  • Seattle Child Care Assistance Program: (206) 386-1050 (for Seattle residents)
  • BrightSpark Family Access Support: (800) 446-1114

Additional Support: