Child Care and Preschool

Child Care /  Preschool / Pre-K

  • "Day Care" usually refers to care for children under the age of 3. 
  • "Preschool" usually refers to child-care programs for children ages 3 to 4.
  • "Pre-K" (Pre-Kindergarten) is a school readiness program for four-year-olds that helps them get ready to go to school.

How to Choose a Child Care Provider

There are many options for child care for children ages three months to five years, ranging from in-home providers to church programs to larger commercial facilities. Better Beginnings is a quality rating program for child care programs and facilities in Arkansas, and their site offers helpful information about what to look for in a child care facility, the types of child care available, and how to pay for it. (available in English and Spanish) 

The Arkansas Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education provides a search tool online to help you find and select licensed child care providers that suit your needs. Search for licensed child care. 

Child Care Aware is a non-profit organization that provides child care referrals in 17 counties in Northwest Arkansas, the River Valley, and Southcentral Arkansas. Other services include parenting classes, child care provider education, training and professional development opportunities. We also host the Healthy Families America Home Visiting Program. All services are free to you and the community. 

Get Help in Paying for Child Care

Fayetteville Public Schools offers free Pre-K programs for low-income families. In addition, the following programs are available for low-income families. 

Child Care Assistance

The State of Arkansas offers assistance in paying for childcare for some low-to-middle income families who meet certain criteria via their Child Care Assistance program.

Head Start

Head Start promotes school readiness for children, ages three to five, in low-income families by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children. 

Arkansas Better Chance (ABC)

The Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) program offers high quality early education services to children birth to five exhibiting developmental and socioeconomic risk factors. The program is administered by the Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education.