Emergency policy relating to COVID-19 located in the public notices section.

Child Care and Development operates two child care facilities and several programs including: Resource and Referral, Licensing, and Subsidy. The goal of child care and development is to increase the availability, affordability, and quality of childcare and provide training opportunities for parents.

Resource and Referral offer child care providers technical assistance and training. Parents can obtain referrals to quality child care options in their area. Cherokee PARENTS offers parenting classes and assistance for parents.

Licensing provides monitoring visits to over 500 licensed and registered child care providers to ensure compliance with OKDHS Child Care Licensing standards.

Subsidy provides financial assistance with child care payments to over 2,500 children annually. Parents of children birth-12 years of age who are working, going to school, attending job-training programs or are in need of protective services receive this service.

Two-Tribally owned and operated centers are located in Tahlequah and Stilwell. The centers are licensed to care for up to 200 children ages 6 weeks to 4 years.

For more information about Child Care and Development Resource and Referral, Licensing and Subsidy please contact:

Resource and Referral - ccrc@cherokee.org
Licensing - childcarelicensing@cherokee.org
Subsidy – cdc_resource@cherokee.org

Or call 918-453-5300 or 888-458-6230

For more information about enrollment in a center, please contact:

Tahlequah Child Development Center – 918-453-5070
Stilwell Child Development Center – 918-696-3222

Public Notices

Cherokee Nation Child Care & Development Department

297.7 KB / Created June 26, 2025 / Updated November 19, 2025

Child Care & Development is holding a Public Hearing to allow public comments in regards to the Public Law 102-477 Five-Year Plan, as per CFR 98.10.

Subsidy Provider COVID-19 Policy Expiration Notice

332.6 KB / Created July 25, 2022 / Updated November 19, 2025

Subsidy Provider COVID-19 Policy will expire July 31, 2022

Subsidy Client COVID-19 Copayment Policy Expiration Notice

328.9 KB / Created July 25, 2022 / Updated November 19, 2025

Subsidy Client COVID-19 Copayment Emergency policies will expire July 31, 2022

Notice of Public Hearing

269 KB / Created June 29, 2022 / Updated November 19, 2025

Notice of Public Hearing for Child Care & Development

Parent COVID-19 Policy Reinstatement Notice

454.1 KB / Created July 25, 2022 / Updated November 19, 2025

Cherokee Nation Child Care and Development is partially reinstating COVID-19 Subsidy Emergency Policies effective 1/1/22.

Provider COVID-19 Policy Reinstatement Notice

287.6 KB / Created July 25, 2022 / Updated November 19, 2025

Cherokee Nation Child Care and Development is partially reinstating COVID-19 Subsidy Emergency Policies effective 1/1/22.

Resource Guide for Cherokee Parents

1.8 MB / Created August 25, 2021 / Updated November 19, 2025

Cherokee Nation offers many services to its citizens and to other Native American tribes throughout its tribal jurisdiction in northeastern Oklahoma.

Child Care & Development COVID-19 Parent Policy

407.7 KB / Created December 30, 2021 / Updated November 19, 2025

Emergency Policy for child care parents who use subsidy regarding COVID-19

STEM for Little Sprouts

186.3 KB / Created May 13, 2021 / Updated November 19, 2025

Application for STEM for Little Sprouts

Steve Spangler: STEM for Little Sprouts

863.9 KB / Created May 13, 2021 / Updated November 19, 2025

Cherokee Nation Child Care & Development Presents Free School Age Training

Updated February 11, 2026