Last verified: October 2026. Program rules change; confirm with the agency named on each page.
Is there free pre-K in Oklahoma City?
Yes. Public school pre-K is open to every child who is 4 by September 1, and districts may run classrooms with partner child care centers.
Can I use the tax credit for a 4-year-old at a private school?
Yes, if the school is accredited and registered. The Tax Commission's rules start eligibility at pre-kindergarten at age 4, so the credit does not cover a 3-year-old class.
Who can get child care subsidy?
Working and other eligible families under OKDHS's income limit, which becomes 55% of state median income for new families on February 1, 2027. OKDHS's January 2026 update kept a pause for ages 9-12, except for children in foster care, placed for adoption, with disabilities or experiencing homelessness.
How do the options compare?
| Program | What it is | Who | Amount | How it is paid | What it is not |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parental Choice Tax Credit (PCTC) | Refundable state income tax credit | Oklahoma students age 4 (pre-K) through grade 12 at an accredited private school; no income ceiling | $5,000-$7,500 per student by household income, capped at tuition and fees | State check mailed to the school, endorsed by the parent | Not a voucher, not an ESA, and not money you can spend on outside services |
| Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship (LNH) | State scholarship for students with disabilities and certain other groups | PK3-12 students with an IEP or IDEA eligibility, plus military PCS, foster, adopted, OJA and homeless-school students | Formula based on state aid factors and grade/disability weights, capped at tuition and fees | Warrant to the parent mailed to the school | Not available at schools OSDE has not approved |
| Homeschool tax credit | Refundable state income tax credit | Students educated at home under Oklahoma's other-means-of-education exception | Up to $1,000 per student | Claimed on your Oklahoma income tax return | Not a credit for private school tuition |
| Tax-credit scholarships (SGO) | Private scholarship funded by donors who get a state credit | Set by each scholarship granting organization, often lower-income families | Varies by organization | Paid by the organization, usually to the school | Not an entitlement; awards depend on donations |
What should I do next?
Take the two-minute funding check, and a tuition counselor will line up your credit tier, any LNH eligibility and the dates that apply.