Seasonal Child Care

The seasonal child care program pays child care subsidies to eligible seasonally employed agricultural families. The program’s purpose is to provide safe, licensed child care while parents work in agricultural settings.

Families can apply in person at their local DSHS office, by calling the DSHS Customer Service Call Center at 1.877.501.2233 or online

Seasonal Child Care brochures:

Special needs

If your family receives seasonal child care help and you have a child with special needs, you may qualify for a higher rate to help pay for your child’s care. For more information, please call the DSHS Call Center at 1.877.501.2233 to start the process.

DEL has changed the rules for the Seasonal Child Care program, including where and how families apply, copayments, and how DEL may limit enrollment to conserve available funding. Read More >

Click to read frequently asked questions about changes to the SCC program.

Who is eligible?

Families qualify for seasonal child care when they:

  • Are employed in agricultural work
  • Have income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines
  • Meet other eligibility requirements

The seasonal child care program can help pay for these kinds of care:

  • Licensed or certified child care centers
  • Licensed or certified family child care homes