If both parents did not work and earn income you will not be able to get the child and dependent care credit. The "catch" to getting the credit when looking for work is that you actually have to find a job and begin earning income at that job. Just "looking" is not enough to be eligible for the credit.
The other thing though --- is we cannot know from what you have told us if you can use TurboTax. You mention that you are "new to the U.S." If you are still a non-resident alien you will not be able to use TurboTax to file a 1040NR.
NON RESIDENT ALIEN
If you are a non-resident alien, your return must be filed on Form 1040NR, which cannot be prepared using TurboTax. You can use TT’s partner, sprintax:
https://www.sprintax.com/non-resident-alien-tax-1040nr-turbotax.html
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
