Childcare is one of the largest monthly costs a young family in Northern Virginia carries. If you've wondered whether you qualify for help paying for it, this guide is for you.
At Cowo & Crèche Kids, we participate in Virginia's Child Care Subsidy Program, and we're glad to help families make sense of it. Here's how it works for Alexandria families, in plain language.
What the program does
The Virginia Child Care Subsidy Program helps eligible families pay for care at participating providers. You pay a monthly fee, called a copayment, directly to your childcare provider. In Alexandria, the city's Department of Community and Human Services pays the rest.
Who can qualify
Children: the program serves children from birth through age 12, and gives priority to children 5 and under.
Income: households earning up to 85% of Virginia's state median income can be eligible.
Work or school: in Alexandria, the parents in the home need to be working, in school, or in a training program.
If you're close to the income line, apply anyway and let the city make the call. The income the program counts can differ from the income on your tax return.
What you'll pay
Since July 2025, copayments are a flat monthly amount per child, based on your income and family size.
No family pays more than 5% of its income in total copayments.
Families at or below the federal poverty level pay $5 per child per month, or 5% of income if that is lower.
If you have more than three children in care, you pay only for the three youngest.
What about waitlists?
Virginia has had long waitlists for this program. In June 2025, nearly 13,000 children statewide were waiting. By June 2026 that number had dropped to just over 2,000, and the state budget for July 2026 through June 2028 adds funding meant to eliminate local waitlists. Ask the city about wait times when you apply.
How to apply in Alexandria
Apply online through Virginia CommonHelp at commonhelp.virginia.gov.
Call for screening with the city's Early Childhood Division at 703-746-5437.
Or visit in person, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center, 4850 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22311.
Ask which documents to bring when you're screened, so your application isn't held up.
Choose a participating provider. You can choose any provider that participates in the program.
Choosing a provider
The city recommends visiting and interviewing more than one provider. On each visit, ask to see the program's state license, registration or religious-exemption certificate, and ask about the teachers' training. You can look up licensed programs and inspection results through the Virginia Department of Social Services.
Come see us
Cowo & Crèche Kids is a faith-based childcare program for ages 16 months to 5 years on Eisenhower Avenue, with small classrooms and full-time, part-time and half-day schedules. We accept the Virginia Child Care Subsidy, and we're happy to talk you through how it works with our programs.
Book a tour or call (571) 495-9302.
Program rules change. This guide reflects information published by the City of Alexandria and the Virginia Department of Education as of October 2026. Please confirm details with the city before you apply.
