Help paying for care
NCI daycare in Houston: how Child Care Scholarships work, and how to use one with us
You can use a Child Care Scholarship from Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast at Little Learners Lighthouse. Many Houston families know this as NCI. This page explains it in plain words.
What does NCI mean?
In Houston, "NCI daycare" usually means a daycare where a family can use a scholarship to help pay for care. A friend or a coworker may use that name. On official pages, you will see Child Care Scholarships instead, and you may also see "CCS". Those names all lead to the same office: Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast.
So if you search for NCI and the official page never uses the word, you are still in the right place.
Who decides if you qualify?
Workforce Solutions decides. A school cannot approve you, and we cannot promise that you will be approved. What we can tell you is that we accept the scholarship once you have it.
What Workforce Solutions looks at
- Your family’s income and size
- Why you need care: a job, school, job training or looking for work
- Your child’s age. The program covers children under 13, and children up to 19 with a documented disability
These are the limits it has posted, for monthly income. They change each October, so check the official page before you count on them.
| People in your family | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|
| 2 | $5,406 |
| 3 | $6,678 |
| 4 | $7,950 |
| 5 | $9,223 |
| 6 | $10,494 |
| 7 | $10,733 |
| 8 | $10,971 |
| 9 | $11,210 |
| 10 | $11,448 |
How to apply
- Make your application onlineGo to the state’s child care portal and follow the steps there.
- Have your papers readyYou will need proof of where you live, 13 weeks of income for each working person in your home, and details about any school or job training. See the full list from Workforce Solutions.
- Wait for an answerProcessing can take up to 20 days from the day the office has everything. Right now there is also a wait list, and the office contacts families as their names come up.
- Choose your schoolWhen you are approved, tell Workforce Solutions you want to use Little Learners Lighthouse. Then call us at (832) 203-8903.
Phone numbers for Workforce Solutions
- Questions about your scholarship: 713-334-5980, or text 346-249-7700. Weekdays, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- To find a provider or get a free consultation: 713-500-3725
- Toll-free: 1-888-469-5627
These numbers go to Workforce Solutions, not to our school. To reach us, call (832) 203-8903.
Will I still pay something?
You might. The office can tell you what your family’s part would be, so ask when you call. Please do not plan on free care until you hear it from them.
Approved, or still waiting?
You can visit either way. Ask for a tour so you can see the rooms, and let us know where you are in the process. Questions about your application itself should go to the scholarship office.
More on NCI from our blog
Quick answers about NCI
- What does NCI daycare mean?
- It is the name many Houston parents use for child care paid for with help from a scholarship. Look for the words Child Care Scholarships on official pages. Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast runs the program.
- Can I use NCI at Little Learners Lighthouse?
- Yes. You can use a Workforce Solutions Child Care Scholarship at Little Learners Lighthouse on West Airport Blvd.
- Do you decide if I get a scholarship?
- No. Only Workforce Solutions can decide that. You can call its scholarship office at 713-334-5980 and ask.
- Where do I apply for NCI?
- Apply on the state’s child care portal. If you get stuck, call 713-334-5980 or text 346-249-7700. The office is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- How long will I have to wait?
- Nobody at the school can say. Workforce Solutions has a wait list at the moment and reaches out to families as names come up. Processing takes up to 20 days from the time it has all your papers. So apply as soon as you can.
- Is care free with NCI?
- Do not count on it being free. Ask the scholarship office what your family would need to pay.
Ready to see the school?
Ask for a tour, call us, or get directions.