What is a Tri-Share Child Care Program?

Tri-Share is a public-private partnership that makes child care affordable for working families who earn too much for traditional subsidies but still struggle with the cost. Instead of one party bearing the full burden, the bill may be divided among the family, employer, and public sponsor. The exact split, tax treatment, funding, and availability are program-specific; an employer should confirm Section 45F treatment with a tax adviser rather than assume it applies.

Example (Flexible Split):
A classic Tri-Share design divides eligible costs equally among the family, employer, and public sponsor. Individual programs may use different terms, so confirm the split before budgeting.
~33% Employer Pays
~33% Employee Pays
~33% Sponsor Pays
Monthly Cost Estimator for Parents
About You

By clicking Calculate My Tri-Share Costs, I state that I have read and understood the Terms and Conditions. All estimates are based on public data; ultimately your eligibility depends on multiple criteria and will be determined by the specific program administrators.

How Tri-Share Child Care Programs Work

Tri-Share programs typically operate through regional "Facilitator Hubs" that manage the administration between the state, the employer, and the provider. This removes the administrative burden from HR departments.

  • Regional hubs identify employer and family needs.
  • Employers join the network (often via a Facilitator Hub).
  • Employees are verified for eligibility under the relevant program’s current income, employment, provider, and location rules.
  • Parents select a licensed provider of their choice.
  • The Hub aggregates funds and pays the provider directly. The employee's share is usually deducted via payroll.