Must be a licensed FCC or CCC
Child care providers must be licensed and in good standing with the State of Washington. Check the licensing status of your child care provider or find a provider at: https://www.findchildcarewa.org/
For Providers
Learn how child care providers engage with the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy!
What makes a provider eligible?
Your family may be eligible for the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy if you:
Must not be receiving the State Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) subsidy for the same child
A child care provider my not accept both the Working Connections Subsidy and the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy for the same child.
Serving a family under the income threshold
Pre-tax monthly household income must fall below the limit for a family's size. See household Income Table.
Monthly Household Income Limit
Household Size
85% State Median Income
2
$5,158
3
$6,372
4
$7,585
5
$8,799
6
$10,012
7
$10,240
8
$10,468
9
$10,695
10
$10,923
For information about larger household sizes, please text (206) 208-6865
or email support@bskchildcare.org
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program eligibility
Monthly income and approximate copayment by household size
How do I enroll?
Available Now!
Step 1: Family Selects Provider
Complete the
Approved families will select their provider of choice. Once submitted we will verify contact information and then send the provider an official enrollment form.
Within two weeks of eligibility form submission
Step 2: Provide business information
We will contact you to collect your provider license information and banking information. This will be used to verify your license standing and to begin setting up direct deposit.
Step 3: Initial Authorization
You will be sent a document to confirm your payment information, agree to terms and conditions, and confirm your care for specific children. This will begin the process of sending your first payment.
Step 4: Continuing Care
Each month you will be sent a document to confirm you are still taking care of children receiving the subsidy. Once you confirm care and absences of the previous month we will continue issuing payments.
How do I get support?
Text Us
For the fastest response, send us a text, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible! (Messaging & data rates may apply)
Text us
(206) 339-5570
(206) 339-5570
Email Us
Email the team with your questions or a brief description of your issue, and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible!
Email us
providers@bskchildcare.org
providers@bskchildcare.org
Call Us
Call our team if you have questions, need to know where you can get application assistance or need to report a problem with the application form.
Call us
(206) 208-6865
(206) 208-6865
Frequently Asked Questions
How are payment amounts calculated.
The subsidy amount is based on household size, income, and child age. Age groups are outlined below.
- Infant (0-11 mos)
- Toddler (12-30 months)
- Preschool (30- 6 yrs not attending K or school)
- School Age (5-12 yrs attending K or school)
Subsidy amounts are divided into two amounts, Family Child Care (FCC) and Center Child Care (CCC). King County pays more for child care provided by and CCC.
When are payments made?
- First (initial) payment authorizations are sent out on the 15th and last day of each month. These require providers to verify enrollment to get paid. Payments typically take approximately seven business days to show up in bank accounts.
- Ongoing payments are second and beyond payments. They require providers to verify enrollment and provide attendance. Ongoing payments typically take 3-5 days to show up in bank accounts.
Is there a copay?
There is no copay, however providers are free to charge the difference between the subsidy amount and the tuition. We do not cover any copays for other programs.
Does the subsidy cover registration?
We do not cover any registration cost.
Does the subsidy cover field trips?
The subsidy does not cover fees beyond the cost of tuition. Families must communicate with their providers regarding any fees beyond the subsidy payment.
How long do providers need to wait for payment?
- Initial (first) take up to 7 business days from completion of the initial authorization.
- Ongoing take 3-5 days from completion of monthly authorization (sent on the 15th). Attendance is entered once a month and providers are free to use any system to record daily attendance.
Why is my payment so high/low?
- Sometimes a family will make a mistake on the application and enter the amount of daily hours instead of weekly hours, resulting in a part time subsidy. This is easily fixed.
- Sometimes the child’s age has been entered incorrectly, resulting in the wrong subsidy amount.
- Sometimes the child is marked as attending kindergarten when they don’t, resulting in the wrong subsidy amount.
- Sometimes a family receives a lower subsidy based on their income and household size.
- Sometimes a subsidy for non school aged care is higher than the tuition. Providers get to keep this additional money.
- School age care is paid at cost, resulting sometimes payments below the subsidy amounts. Cost is based on provider supplied information, and sometimes this gets entered incorrectly. During months with school breaks, we increase the subsidy amount to cover full time care for the time that school is closed.
What does a provider do if underpaid?
A provider should reach out to the provider support line. 206-339-5570, providers@bskchildcare.org
What does a provider do if they don't get paid?
A provider should reach out to the provider support line. 206-339-5570, providers@bskchildcare.org
Why do you need my W9 and do I have to provide it?
The W9 is needed to provide your business with the appropriate tax documents. You must provide us with this document to get paid.
Why do you need my EIN?
The EIN/Social Security number is needed to provide your business with the appropriate tax documents. You must provide us with this document to get paid.
Can providers collect the difference between tuition and the subsidy?
Yes.
Why do you need my bank account information?
We make all payments through direct deposit.
What if a family needs overnight care
Extended subsidy amounts are available upon request.
What if a family owes a balance?
If a family owes a previous provider money, they may not enroll with the BSK program without a provider verified payment plan. We also collect monthly information from all providers to ensure families are making any additional agreed upon payments toward the cost of care.
Spread the word about the subsidy to your community! Get our outreach toolkit today!
Helping King County families afford child care
INCOME ELIGIBILITY CHART
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