Early Childhood Education & Child Care grants in Delaware
Head Start and CCDF block grants, along with state pre-K and child care stabilization funds, flow heavily to nonprofit and small-business child care providers and out-of-school programs. In Delaware, these funds reach early childhood education & child care businesses and nonprofits through Delaware state agencies, county programs and city economic development offices, alongside direct federal awards.
Example programs available to Delaware applicants
- Head Start and Early Head Start Grants
- Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) state subgrants
- 21st Century Community Learning Centers
Getting started in Delaware
- 01Register your business with Delaware (usually the Secretary of State) and get an IRS EIN.
- 02Check Delaware licensing, permits and tax registration rules for early childhood education & child care.
- 03Register on SAM.gov for a free UEI so you can receive federal funds passed through Delaware agencies.
- 04Contact your local Delaware Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for free help with plans and applications.
- 05Ask your Delaware city and county economic development office about local early childhood education & child care grants and incentives.
Who qualifies
- Public or private nonprofit organizations, including 501(c)(3) community and faith-based groups. Head Start and Early Head Start competitions are also open to public agencies, tribal governments, and some for-profit agencies.
- Licensed or legally license-exempt child care centers and family child care homes that meet state health, safety, and background check rules. These providers can typically serve families who receive Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) subsidies.
- School districts, community-based organizations, and other public or private entities that partner to offer before-school, after-school, or summer programs. 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants focus on students attending high-poverty, low-performing schools.
- Child care providers and sponsoring organizations that serve eligible meals and snacks and meet state agency requirements for the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
- Providers that partner with Head Start grantees, such as through Early Head Start–Child Care Partnerships, or that meet state pre-K program standards. Pre-K standards often include teacher credential and curriculum requirements.
- Tribal organizations and providers in U.S. territories. These may access dedicated tribal and territorial set-asides of federal early childhood funds.
Where the funding comes from
Head Start and Early Head Start grants are awarded competitively by the Office of Head Start within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families (ACF). Funding opportunities, including Early Head Start–Child Care Partnership awards, are posted on Grants.gov. Grantees must follow the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is run by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service and administered by state agencies. It reimburses eligible child care centers, family child care homes (through sponsoring organizations), and afterschool programs for nutritious meals and snacks.
Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) dollars flow from ACF's Office of Child Care to state, tribal, and territorial lead agencies. These agencies pay providers through subsidy certificates (vouchers) or direct grants and contracts. They also fund quality-improvement grants, often tied to the state's Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS).
21st Century Community Learning Centers funding comes from the U.S. Department of Education to state education agencies, which run their own competitive subgrant competitions. These grants support academic enrichment during out-of-school time.
Many states fund pre-K programs, which may contract with community-based child care providers and Head Start programs as well as school districts. Some states also run their own child care workforce, start-up, or expansion grants. Federal ARPA child care stabilization funds have largely expired, but some states continue similar programs with state dollars.
County and city early learning initiatives may offer grants, contracts, or slots for providers. Examples include local early learning coalitions or regional partnerships (such as Florida's Early Learning Coalitions, North Carolina's Smart Start partnerships, and California's First 5 county commissions), as well as dedicated local tax levies for children's services.
Community foundations, United Way chapters, and local workforce or economic development agencies sometimes fund child care facility improvements, provider training, and capacity expansion. These usually follow their own application cycles.
Common requirements
- A current state child care license, or documented legal license-exempt status, from your state's child care licensing agency. You will also need proof of compliance with health and safety standards and inspections.
- Comprehensive background checks for staff, as required under the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant Act for CCDF-participating providers. These generally include fingerprint-based FBI and state checks and sex offender and child abuse registry checks.
- A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM.gov registration, which are free and must be renewed annually. These are required to apply directly for federal grants such as Head Start. Subrecipients of state-passed-through funds are generally required to have at least a UEI.
- A Grants.gov account linked to Login.gov for federal applications, plus registration in your state's grants or subsidy provider portal for state-administered programs.
- Organizational documents, including: your EIN; articles of incorporation and bylaws; an IRS determination letter if you are a 501(c)(3); a board roster; and proof of good standing with your state.
- Financial documents, including recent financial statements or audits, an organizational budget, and a project budget with justification. Organizations spending $1,000,000 or more in federal awards in a fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 2024 generally need a Single Audit under 2 CFR 200 Subpart F.
- Program documentation as required by the specific funder. This can include staff qualifications and credentials, curriculum and assessment tools, enrollment and community needs data, facility and insurance certificates, and letters of support or partnership agreements.
How to apply
- 01Identify the right funding streams and check eligibility. Federal opportunities are listed on Grants.gov. For state programs, contact your state's CCDF lead agency, state education agency, CACFP agency, or local early learning coalition. Read each eligibility section carefully.
- 02Complete registrations early, because they can take several weeks. These include your UEI and SAM.gov registration, your Grants.gov and Login.gov accounts, your state child care license, state subsidy provider enrollment, and any state grant portal accounts.
- 03Assess community need and plan your program. Gather local data on children, families, and service gaps. Define the ages, hours, and services you will offer. Line up partners, such as schools, health providers, and family support agencies, and obtain letters of commitment.
- 04Prepare the application package as the funding notice instructs. This typically includes a project narrative, a budget and budget justification, required federal or state forms, organizational and financial documents, and evidence that you meet licensing and quality standards. Ask a colleague to review it against the scoring criteria.
- 05Submit before the deadline and confirm receipt. Respond promptly to any requests from the agency. If you are not funded, request reviewer feedback where it is available. If you are funded, review the terms and conditions and the reporting and monitoring requirements carefully.
Frequently asked questions
Can a for-profit child care business receive these funds?
Often, yes, but it depends on the program. For-profit agencies may compete for Head Start and Early Head Start grants. Licensed for-profit providers commonly accept CCDF subsidy payments and may qualify for some state quality or pre-K contracts. Some grants, including many foundation grants, are limited to nonprofits or public entities, so check each program's eligibility rules.
How do I start accepting CCDF child care subsidy payments?
Contact your state's CCDF lead agency or local child care resource and referral agency to enroll as a subsidy provider. You will typically need to meet licensing or license-exempt requirements, complete staff background checks and required health and safety training, and agree to the state's payment and attendance rules. Enrollment does not guarantee a specific number of subsidized children or payment level.
Do I need SAM.gov registration if I only receive state funds?
It depends. Direct federal applicants, such as Head Start applicants, must have an active SAM.gov registration and a UEI. Subrecipients receiving federal funds passed through a state are generally required to have a UEI, and some states require full SAM.gov registration. Registration is free through SAM.gov, so be cautious of third parties that charge fees.
Are COVID-era child care stabilization grants still available?
Federal American Rescue Plan Act child care stabilization funds had spending deadlines that have largely passed, so most of those specific grants are no longer open. Some states and localities now fund their own stabilization, workforce bonus, or expansion programs. Check with your state child care agency for current opportunities.
How competitive are Head Start and 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants?
Both can be highly competitive, and funding depends on appropriations and available service areas. Head Start grants are generally awarded for five-year periods, and new opportunities often arise when existing grants come up for competition. 21st CCLC competitions are run by each state on its own schedule. Strong applications clearly document community need, a sound program and budget, qualified staff, and solid partnerships, but no application is assured of funding.
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Researched from public sources. Program details change, so always confirm with the Delaware funding agency. GrantVerify does not award grants or guarantee funding.