The chart below shows the annual out-of-pocket cost of child care for a family of four with one infant and one preschooler, at different income levels, from 2018 to 2026. You can filter the chart by family structure, including single- and two-parent households and families with different numbers of children. The full dataset, with 19 income levels from 150% to 600% of poverty, is available for download below the chart.
Vermont made two structural changes during this period. In July 2022, CCFAP moved to a single family share set by income band, and in late 2023, Act 76 raised subsidy rates and expanded eligibility to 575% of the federal poverty level. See the same data as a percent of gross income.
Data Sources
U.S. Census Bureau. (2025). Ratio of income to poverty level in the past 12 months by age (Table B17024). American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024. https://data.census.gov/
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. (2026). Prior HHS poverty guidelines and Federal Register references. https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines/prior-hhs-poverty-guidelines-federal-register-references
Vermont Department for Children and Families, Child Development Division. (2018–2026). Child Care Financial Assistance Program eligibility and family-share guidelines. Guidelines for 2025–2026 available at https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/ccfap; earlier years provided by the Child Development Division.
Vermont Department for Children and Families, Child Development Division. (2016–2025). Child Care Financial Assistance Program rate schedules. Provided by the Child Development Division.
Vermont Department for Children and Families, Child Development Division. (2024). Vermont child care market rate survey. https://dcf.vermont.gov/cdd/reports#Market
Vermont General Assembly. Act 45 of 2021. An act relating to the Vermont child care system. https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/ACTS/ACT045/ACT045%20As%20Enacted.pdf
Related Indicators
About Act 76
Act 76 makes significant and historic investments and policy changes by expanding eligibility for the Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP) for Vermont families. This includes increasing reimbursement rates for child care providers and small business owners, and outlining a potential path toward expanding access to high-quality pre-K, afterschool care, and summer care. Act 76 became law on June 20, 2023, and its elements were implemented in stages from July 2023 to January 2026.
For more information, visit BBF’s Act 76 Monitoring Page or Act 76 Data Portal.
About Vermont’s Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP)
Vermont’s Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP) helps eligible families pay for child care so parents can work, attend school, or participate in support programs. Eligibility is based on income (up to 575% of the federal poverty level), family size, and reason for needing care. The program supports children from birth through age 13, or older if they have special needs. Families may pay a family share based on income, provider type, and child’s age. To apply, families must submit a paper or online application. Local Community Child Care Support Agencies are available to support families with applying and submitting necessary documentation.