Child care is one of the biggest bills a young family pays. In New Jersey, the average cost of infant care runs about $18,155 a year. What many Passaic County parents don’t realize is that the state will help pay that bill if you qualify, and the program is run by an agency right here in the county: 4Cs of Passaic County.
Magical Palace of Wayne participates in the subsidy program through 4Cs, and we walk families through the process regularly. Here’s how it works, in plain language.
What the program is
The New Jersey Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps income-eligible families pay for child care so parents can work, attend school, or take part in job training. It’s a state program, but it’s managed locally by Child Care Resource & Referral agencies. There’s one in every county, and in Passaic County that agency is 4Cs of Passaic County.
Good timing to know about: the state fully reopened CCAP to all new applicants in April 2026, so if you looked into it during the freeze and were turned away, it’s worth applying now.
Who qualifies
Eligibility is based on your family’s size, income, and activity. In general, you may qualify if:
- You live in New Jersey (Passaic County, for 4Cs)
- You’re working full time (30+ hours a week), attending school full time (12+ credits), in job training (at least 20 hours a week), or doing a combination that adds up to full time
- Your household income falls within the state’s income eligibility schedule for your family size
- Your child is under 13 (or under 19 for a child with special needs), is a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen, and lives with you
You don’t need a Social Security number to apply as a parent, but your child does need one to receive the subsidy.
Not sure if you qualify? The state has an eligibility calculator at ChildCareNJ.gov, so you can check before you apply. 4Cs of Passaic County (4cspassaic.org) can help if you have questions.
How to apply, step by step
- Apply through the state’s system. Applications go through MyNJHelps, which you reach from ChildCareNJ.gov. You’ll create an account (if you already have one from SNAP or Work First New Jersey, use the same login).
- Submit your documents to 4Cs. One quirk worth knowing: if you’re applying for child care assistance only, you can’t upload your verification documents online. They go directly to 4Cs of Passaic County, who will tell you exactly what’s required and how to submit it.
- Wait for the decision. Once 4Cs has your complete paperwork, they review your application and make an eligibility decision within 30 days. Incomplete applications can be denied, so send everything on the checklist the first time.
- Choose your provider. The subsidy can be used at licensed child care centers and registered family child care homes that participate in the program. If you’re approved, the payment goes toward care at the provider you choose.
Questions at any point: 4Cs of Passaic County can be reached at (973) 684-1904 or info@4cspassaic.net.
Using your subsidy at Magical Palace of Wayne
We’re an NJ-licensed center (license #CCC120680) at 201 Willowbrook Blvd in Wayne, and we participate in the 4Cs subsidy program. A few things parents ask us:
- Which ages? We care for children from 6 weeks to 13 years old, including aftercare for school-age children, which lines up with the subsidy’s under-13 coverage. If you have more than one eligible child, ask us how to handle the paperwork for both.
- Does the subsidy cover everything? Depending on your approval, there may be a portion you pay directly. Ask us and we’ll go through your specific numbers with you before you enroll, with no surprises.
- What if I’m enrolling more than one child? We also offer sibling discounts, which can be combined with planning your subsidy paperwork. Ask us how they work for your family.
One tip before you apply
Start the application before you need care to begin, not after. Between document gathering and the 30-day review window, the process takes time, and centers hold spots on their own timelines. If you’re touring centers now, tell them you’re applying. A good center will help you line up the dates. Our 15 questions to ask on a daycare tour can help you compare.
If you’d like to see whether Magical Palace is the right fit while your application is in motion, you can book a tour, in person or virtual, take our photo tour, or call us at 973-638-1800. We’re happy to answer subsidy questions even if you end up choosing a different center. For the bigger cost picture, see what daycare costs in Wayne, NJ.
Program details change; confirm current eligibility rules at ChildCareNJ.gov or with 4Cs of Passaic County. Cost figure: Economic Policy Institute, Child Care Costs in the United States: New Jersey (2025 release, 2024 dollars).
