Below is some introductory information on the different types of early learning and care (ECE) options. To learn more about local implementation of ECE, visit our UPK page.
Non-Subsidized spaces are utilized by private pay families in child care centers and family child care homes. These programs are operated by community based organizations, churches, individuals, non-profits and for-profits. When families are having trouble affording child care there are programs that provide local, state or federal financial aid. Family eligibility is based on a variety of needs determined by state by state and federal regulations and local priorities. Eligible families are low income and except for Head Start, also working, seeking employment, enrolled in education or job training programs, homeless or medically incapacitated. Child Protective Services may also refer children.
Child care centers must be licensed through the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division and may obtain any of three licenses for infant care, preschool care or school-age care. Center-based programs are traditionally located in classroom facilities; number of children per classroom is determined by the size of the room. Center-based care can be licensed-exempt as long as they abided by specific regulations.
Similar to the center-based care, family child care is licensed through the State of California. A family child care home must be in the licensee's own home. A family child care home reflects a home-like environment. There are small family child care homes (provide care to no more than 8 children) and large family child care homes (provide care to no more than 14 children). Family child care homes can also be licensed-exempt as long as they abided by specific regulations.
Transitional Kindergarten bridges the path between preschool and Kindergarten and gives students the gift of time that will help them build a strong foundation for future school success. It blends social and emotional experiences with academic learning, so that students not only learn essential pre-literacy, pre-math, and other cognitive skills, but also develop social and self-regulation skills needed to succeed in school and life. TK is a component of the Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) mixed-delivery system. Any local educational agency (LEA) operating a Kindergarten to also provide universal TK (UTK) programming for all 4-year-old children. Learn more about local TK implementation here.
Many school districts offer before and after school services on or near their campuses. Some of these services are funded by parent pay or state/federal subsidies (based on income qualification). School districts also offer expanded learning through the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P), After School Education and Safety (ASES), and 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC).
To learn more about your school district's care options, contact your district of residence. More information on expanded learning programs can be found at through Region 8 Expanded Learning.
The CalWORKs Child Care Program is a welfare-to-work program for families with children. Funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) federal funds, the purpose of this program is to help a family transition smoothly from the immediate, short-term child care needed as the parent starts work or work activities to the stable, long-term child care necessary for the family to leave and remain off aid. CalWORKS stages one and two provide funded child cares spaces for up to 24 months while families are in transition from welfare to work. Stage three begins when a funded space is available and when the client has acquired the 24 months of child care, after transitioning off of aid (for former CalWORKs recipients).
The California Department of Education funds state-funded preschools and program direct services. The program provides a core class curriculum that is developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate for the children served. It also provides meals and snacks to children, parent education, referrals to health and social services for families, and staff development opportunities to employees. The program is administered through local educational agencies, colleges, community-action agencies, and private nonprofit agencies.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funds Head Start. Child Development Resources of Ventura County, Inc. is the Head Start grantee for Ventura County. Head Start eligibility is among the most stringent in Ventura County as it is based on the federal poverty level, which is $32,150 per year for a family of four (2025).
Operated by the California Department of Social Services, alternative payment programs use federal and state funding to provide vouchers for eligible low-income families. Alternative Payment Program agencies helps families enrolled in CalWORKs Child Care or CAPP arrange child care services and makes payment for those services directly to the child care provider selected by the family.
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