(1) In-home/relative providers. To be approved to receive benefits under the WCCC program, an in-home/relative provider must comply with the applicable requirements contained in this chapter, chapter 43.216 RCW, and chapters 110-06 and 110-16 WAC.

(2) Licensed providers.

(a) To be approved to receive payment under the WCCC program, a licensed provider must comply with the requirements of this chapter, chapter 43.216 RCW, and chapters 110-06, 110-300, 110-300A, 110-300B, and 110-305 WAC.

(b) A provider who cares for a child who is a Washington resident in a state that borders Washington must:

(i) Be licensed to provide care in the bordering state;

(ii) Comply with the bordering state's licensing regulations;

(iii) Comply with the electronic attendance requirements contained in WAC 110-15-0126.

(c) The lesser of the following will be paid to a qualified, licensed child care provider in a state that borders Washington:

(i) The provider's private pay rate for that child; or

(ii) The DCYF maximum WCCC subsidy daily rate for the DCYF region where the child resides.

(d) A licensed provider in a state that borders Washington that receives WCCC subsidy payment to care for a child who is a Washington resident is not required or eligible to participate in the early achievers program or to receive quality improvement awards, tiered reimbursements, or other awards and incentives associated with the early achievers program.

(3) Certified providers. To be approved to receive payment under the WCCC program, a certified provider must comply with the certification requirements contained in this chapter, chapter 43.216 RCW, and chapters 110-06, 110-300, 110-300A, 110-300B, and 110-305 WAC. Certified providers include:

(a) Tribal child care facilities that meet the requirements of tribal law;

(b) Child care facilities on a military installation;

(d) Seasonal day camps that contract with DCYF to provide subsidized child care.

(4) Early achievers program requirements for licensed and certified child care providers that receive their first WCCC payment on or after July 1, 2016:

(a) A licensed or certified child care provider that first receives a WCCC subsidy payment on or after July 1, 2016, for providing nonschool age child care must complete the following activities to be eligible to receive additional WCCC payments:

(i) Enroll in the early achievers program within thirty days of receiving the first WCCC subsidy payment. A licensed or certified provider that fails to meet this requirement will lose DCYF approval to receive WCCC subsidy payments for providing nonschool age child care;

(ii) Complete level 2 activities in the early achievers program within twelve months of enrollment. A licensed or certified provider that fails to meet this requirement will lose DCYF approval to receive DCYF subsidy payments for providing nonschool age child care;

(iii) Rate at a level 3 or higher in the early achievers program within thirty months of enrollment. A licensed or certified provider that fails to meet this requirement within thirty months of enrollment in the early achievers program, must complete remedial activities with DCYF and rate at a level 3 or higher within six months of beginning remedial activities. A licensed or certified provider that fails to rate at a level 3 or higher within six months of beginning remedial activities will lose DCYF approval to receive WCCC subsidy payments for providing nonschool age child care; and

(iv) Renew their facility rating every three years and maintain a rating level 3 or higher. If a licensed or certified provider fails to renew their facility rating or maintain a rating level 3 or higher, the licensed or certified provider will lose DCYF approval to receive WCCC subsidy payments for providing nonschool age child care.

(b) Licensed and certified providers must comply with the provisions for participation as outlined in the early achievers operating guidelines. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in a licensed or certified provider's loss of DCYF approval to receive WCCC subsidy payments for providing nonschool age child care.

(5) Early achievers program requirements for licensed and certified child care providers that received a WCCC payment on or between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2016:

(a) A licensed or certified child care provider that received a WCCC subsidy payment on or between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2016, for providing nonschool age child care, must complete the following activities to be eligible to receive additional WCCC subsidy payments:

(i) Enroll in the early achievers program by August 1, 2016. A licensed or certified provider that fails to meet this requirement will lose DCYF approval to receive WCCC subsidy payments for providing nonschool age child care;

(ii) Complete level 2 activities in the early achievers program by August 1, 2017. A provider who failed to meet this requirement will lose DCYF approval to receive WCCC subsidy payments for nonschool age child care; and

(iii) Rate at a level 3 or higher in the early achievers program by December 31, 2019. A licensed or certified provider that fails to meet this requirement by December 31, 2019, must complete remedial activities with DCYF and rate at a level 3 or higher by June 30, 2020. A licensed or certified provider that fails to receive a rating by December 31, 2019, or fails to rate at a level 3 or higher by June 30, 2020, after completing remedial activities will lose DCYF approval to receive WCCC subsidy payments for providing nonschool age child care.

(b) Licensed and certified providers must renew their facility rating every three years and maintain a rating level 3 or higher. If a licensed or certified provider fails to renew their facility rating or maintain a rating level 3 or higher, licensed or certified providers will lose DCYF approval to receive WCCC subsidy payments for providing nonschool age child care.

(6) If a licensed or certified child care provider receiving WCCC subsidy payment for providing nonschool age has successfully completed all level 2 activities and is waiting to be rated, the licensed or certified provider may continue to receive WCCC subsidy payments pending the successful completion of the level 3 rating activity.

DCYF-contracted seasonal day camps have a contract with DEL to provide subsidized child care.

PDFWAC 110-15-0125

Approved child care providers.