Tuition & Financial Assistance
🌱 At Bloom, we believe every child deserves access to outstanding early learning, and we know cost can be one of the biggest factors in that decision. Below is an overview of the assistance programs we regularly work with, and how to find out if your family qualifies.
DSS Childcare Assistance (CCAP)
🌱 New York State offers a subsidy program called the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), administered locally through your county's Department of Social Services (DSS). Depending on your household income and family size, CCAP may cover 100% of your childcare costs, or leave you with a low co-payment.
🌱 Step 1: Check Your Eligibility The fastest way to see if you qualify is through the official New York State screener. It takes just a few minutes and asks simple questions about your household income, family size, county of residence, and work/school status.
👉 Check your eligibility here
Step 2: Apply If the screener indicates you may qualify, the next step is submitting an application through your local DSS. You'll typically need:
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Proof of identity and residency (photo ID, utility bill)
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Proof of income for all household members
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Documentation of employment, school enrollment, or training
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Your child's birth certificate and immunization records
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Childcare provider information (Bloom can help with this!)
Childcare Aware of America
Childcare Aware of America is a national nonprofit that connects families to local child care resources and financial assistance information. They also directly administer fee assistance for eligible military and Department of Defense families through their Fee Assistance program.
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Military/DoD families: may qualify for direct fee assistance — eligibility depends on your branch of service
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All families: Childcare Aware can connect you with your local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency, which knows the ins and outs of every subsidy program available in your area, including ones beyond DSS
​👉 Call 1-800-424-2246 or visit childcareaware.org to check your eligibility or get connected to local resources.
We're Here to Help
Navigating subsidy programs can feel overwhelming — we get it. Our team is happy to answer questions, provide any documentation your DSS caseworker may need about our program, and help hold your child's spot while your application is processed. Don't hesitate to reach out to your Bloom location directly, or contact us below.