A family of four in Bronxville earning $120,000 a year might not think of itself as eligible for government childcare help. Under Westchester County's Childcare Scholarship Program, that household qualifies.

The county announced Tuesday, Aug. 18, that its two childcare subsidy programs together support nearly 5,000 slots, with most enrolled families paying less than $50 per month. The lesser-known scholarship tier targets middle-income households earning between 300% and 400% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that translates to roughly $99,000 to $132,000 a year under 2026 federal guidelines.

The scholarship program is funded entirely through the county tax levy. The county's 2026 budget set aside $2.5 million for childcare scholarships and $16.6 million for the broader low-income Childcare Assistance Program, according to budget documents signed by County Executive Ken Jenkins.

"Childcare should never be the reason a parent has to leave the workforce or turn down an opportunity," County Operations Director Emily Saltzman said in the county's Aug. 18 announcement. She added that the scholarship reflects the county's commitment to families who fall outside traditional assistance but still face significant costs.

The program earned recognition from New York State, which included funding in the 2026-2027 state budget. In March, the state Senate's one-house budget resolution proposed $1.5 million for the Westchester scholarship. The final enacted amount has not been confirmed.

For smaller households, the income ceiling is lower: roughly $82,000 to $109,300 for a family of three, and $65,000 to $86,500 for a family of two, based on 2026 federal poverty guidelines.

The broader Childcare Assistance Program serves families with lower incomes and is funded through a mix of federal, state and county dollars. Eligible parents must be working, attending school or participating in approved training programs.

No application deadline has been announced for either program. Families seeking enrollment information can contact the Westchester County Department of Social Services or the Child Care Council of Westchester at childcarewestchester.org.