Help Paying for Preschool in Virginia (2026)
Preschool is expensive, but Virginia families have three main ways to lower or eliminate the cost: Head Start, public pre-K, and a childcare subsidy. Here's who qualifies for each — then check your family in seconds.
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Head Start & Early Head Start in Virginia
Head Start is free, federally funded preschool (ages 3–5; Early Head Start under 3) for families at or below the federal poverty line — about $33,000 for a family of four in Virginia (2026) — and it's free regardless of income if your family is experiencing homelessness, your child is in foster care, or you receive SNAP, TANF, or SSI. See the full income limits by household size → · Find a Virginia program →
Public pre-K in Virginia
Virginia's public pre-K, Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI), is income- or risk-based (age 4 (and some 3-year-olds) by September 30; income up to 350% FPL plus other at-risk criteria; varies by locality). Families under the program's income line — or who qualify on other factors (English learner, disability, foster, homeless) — can attend free. Official Virginia program info →
Childcare subsidy in Virginia
Separate from preschool programs, Virginia's childcare subsidy — Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP) — helps working families pay for care (infants and toddlers included, not just preschoolers), for income up to 85% of state median income (households with a child under 5); 250% FPL for school-age-only households. Apply or learn more →
Preschools in Virginia
See also: when your child can start school in Virginia · how to afford preschool · how much preschool costs.