In order to receive a child care voucher, families must contact the Department of Social Services (DSS) to determine their eligibility and schedule an appointment. (Check income guidelines on page). Vouchers are available for full-time or part-time care. For children enrolled with Early Head Start and NC Pre-Kindergarten, wrap-around vouchers are available as well.

Once families are issued a voucher, they are free to choose a 4-or-5 star child care provider that best meets their needs, as long as that provider participates in the Subsidized Child Care Program. (Have questions about this process? Check out on our page on Finding Child Care).

Child care providers are reimbursed per child at a rate set by the state. Parents must pay a fee of 10% of gross monthly income for all vouchers. Some child care providers will also charge the difference between the state voucher rate they receive and their private pay rate.

Contact:
The Child Care Subsidy Unit
Buncombe County Health and Human Services
Phone: (828) 250-5500

Click here for more information from the North Carolina Division of Child Development.

Mountain Child Care Connections is a free referral service for families seeking child care and after school care. (877) 752-5955 Calls are answered Monday through Friday, 8 am-12 pm and 1 pm-5 pm. If you receive voicemail, leave a message, your call will be returned the next business day. You can also look online.

Email: childcareinfo@swcdcinc.org