A strong start,
around Portland.
Find childcare assistance, Head Start, early childhood programs, after-school care, and family support in or around Portland.
Find childcare and family support
Childcare and family resources around Portland
Local listings and statewide options. Contact the organization before visiting.
No local matches here yet.
This doesn’t mean help isn’t available. Try all support, explore another town, or use the help below.
Explore childcare assistance-
Opportunity Alliance Head Start
50 Monument Square, Portland, ME 04101
Free Head Start and Early Head Start programs for income-eligible families. Early childhood education for children ages 0–5.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Call for program schedule
- Who this helps
- Income-based (federal poverty guidelines). Priority for families receiving TANF, SSI, or experiencing homelessness or foster care. Children ages 0–5.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maine
277 Cumberland Avenue, Portland, ME 04101
After-school and summer programs for ages 7–18. Only $5 annual membership. No child turned away for inability to pay.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Who this helps
- Ages 7–18. $5 annual membership fee. No child turned away for inability to pay.
Confirm details with the organization.
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YMCA of Southern Maine Childcare
70 Forest Avenue, Portland, ME 04101
The YMCA of Southern Maine provides toddler care, before and after school programs, and school-age childcare for kindergarten through 5th grade. Multiple locations across southern Maine with financial assistance available.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Mon-Fri, hours vary by program
- Who this helps
- Open to all families. Financial assistance and DHHS subsidies accepted. Income-based sliding scale available.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Youth & Family Outreach
331 Cumberland Avenue, Portland, ME 04101
Youth & Family Outreach provides full-day, year-round early care and education for children aged six weeks to five years in Greater Portland. Supports families by helping children thrive while caregivers work or complete education.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Mon-Fri 7:00am-5:00pm
- Who this helps
- Open to families with children ages 6 weeks to 5 years in the Greater Portland area. Accepts DHHS childcare subsidies.
Confirm details with the organization.
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St. Elizabeth's Child Development Center
87 High Street, Portland, ME 04101
St. Elizabeth's is a Star 5-rated child development center with over 50 years of experience in early childhood education. Accepts DHHS subsidies, ASPIRE vouchers, and Child Development Services clients.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Mon-Fri, call for hours
- Who this helps
- Open to all families. Accepts DHHS subsidies, ASPIRE vouchers, CDS referrals, and private pay.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine
277 Cumberland Ave, Portland, ME 04101
After-school and summer programs for youth ages 7-18 at multiple locations in Portland, South Portland, and Auburn. Programs include homework help, arts, athletics, swimming, and nutritious meals in a safe environment.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Mon-Fri, after school to 7:00 PM (varies by location)
- Who this helps
- Youth ages 7-18. Membership fees are kept low to ensure accessibility. Financial assistance and scholarships are available for families who need help with fees. No child is turned away due to inability to pay.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine
PO Box 123, Westbrook, ME 04098
Youth mentoring program serving southern Maine, matching children with caring adult mentors through community-based and school-based programs.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Who this helps
- Children and youth who could benefit from a positive mentoring relationship. Contact the organization by phone or through their website to learn about enrollment. Both community-based and school-based mentoring options are available.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP)
Statewide support
Helps eligible families pay for child care so parents can work, go to school, or participate in job training. Apply online or by phone.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; toll-free 1-877-680-5866
- Who this helps
- Families must be working, in school, or in job training. Income limits apply (varies by family size). Apply online at Baxter or call for assistance.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Child Care Choices (Provider Search)
Statewide support
Free online tool to search licensed childcare providers in Maine including family daycares, centers, nursery schools, and Head Start programs.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Online 24/7; call 211 for phone assistance
- Who this helps
- Open to all Maine families. No requirements to search. Financial assistance available through CCAP for eligible families.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Maine Families Home Visiting
Statewide support
Free home visits for expectant parents and parents of newborns. Professional visitors provide parenting support, child development info, and resource connections.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- By appointment
- Who this helps
- Pregnant women or parents/caregivers with a baby under 3 months old.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Help Me Grow Maine
Statewide support
Help Me Grow Maine is a free statewide service connecting families with children birth to age 8 to child development resources, free developmental screenings, and community services. Multilingual support available.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Mon-Fri, call 211 option 5
- Who this helps
- Free for all families with children birth to age 8 and pregnant individuals. No income requirements.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Maine Parent Federation
Statewide support
Maine Parent Federation provides free information, referrals, peer-to-peer support, and training to parents of children with disabilities or special health care needs. Statewide services help families navigate systems of care.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm
- Who this helps
- Free for all parents and caregivers of children with disabilities or special health care needs. No income requirements.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Early Intervention for ME & Preschool Support
Statewide support
Developmental help for young children. Families of children under three can request a free initial assessment; preschool referrals use the state’s town and school lookup.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Contact the referral team to arrange an assessment.
- Who this helps
- Families can refer a child under three without a pediatrician’s referral. Assessment determines eligibility. For ages three to five, check the state’s current town or school contact.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Child Care Choices
Statewide support
Maine's statewide child care resource and referral service helping families find licensed childcare providers, understand childcare options, and access financial assistance for childcare costs.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Who this helps
- Any Maine family seeking childcare information or referrals. The Child Care Affordability Program provides financial assistance to eligible families based on income, family size, and work or education status.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Maine WIC Program
Statewide support
Food benefits, nutrition guidance and breastfeeding support for eligible pregnant and postpartum people, infants, and children under five. Start with your local WIC clinic.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Appointment times vary by local clinic. Call the office serving your county.
- Who this helps
- WIC serves eligible Maine residents during pregnancy and after birth, infants, and children younger than five. Parents and guardians can apply for children in their care. MaineCare, SNAP or TANF can establish income eligibility; WIC still checks the other program requirements.
Confirm details with the organization.
Listings may include nearby communities. Contact the organization to confirm its current location, hours, and who it serves.
Find the right fit for your family.
Availability and program requirements can be very different from one provider to another.
Match the daily routine
Ask which ages are served, the hours of care, transportation options, and whether there is a waitlist.
Check the full cost
Ask about fees, meals, supplies, and whether the provider accepts childcare assistance.
Share what your child needs
Discuss allergies, communication, accessibility, and developmental support before deciding on a program.