Emergency child care programs are facilities used during a crisis like COVID-19. They can be regular daycares (approved during emergency) or temporary facilities setup specifically to cater to essential workers during the crisis (healthcare providers, police, transportation and food workers, etc.)

Emergency child care allows essential workers (healthcare providers, police, transportation and food workers, etc.) to have access to daycare during a crisis. Non-essential personnel can often use these child care services too but State rules vary. Contact local authorities to confirm.

Parents normally pay for emergency child care unless they qualify for subsidies. However, during a crisis like COVID-19, some States may pay daycare costs for essential workers (healthcare providers, police, transportation and food workers, etc.) Contact local authorities to learn more.