Provider Information
Click on a question below to view more information on the subject.
Who can be a Care 4 Kids child care provider?
Families choose the child care provider they want for their children. Care 4 Kids can help pay for care arrangements that meet the CT Department of Public Health licensing requirements. For example:
- Licensed Day Care Centers, Group Day Care Homes and Family Day Care Homes
- Public or private school before and after school programs which are administered by the school
- Municipal or town programs located in a school building which are administered by the municipality
- Care provided in the child’s home
- Care provided by a relative and in the relative’s home
- Care in the home of a non-relative for less than 3 hours per day
There are some limits on who can be a child care provider in Care 4 Kids. The following people cannot be paid as a provider:
- a parent of the child needing care;
- a spouse of the child's parent;
- a sister or brother of the child needing care who is living in the home; or
- a parent of a minor parent.
If you have questions regarding specific family situations, call Care 4 Kids at 1-888-214-KIDS (5437).
All licensed providers and the people who work for them must comply with regulations from the CT Department of Public Health (DPH).
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How much will I receive from Care 4 Kids?
The amount Care 4 Kids pays is decided at the time the certificate is created. A number of different factors are used to determine the payment rate and the Family Fee.
For the family, Care 4 Kids looks at:
- the parents' work or training schedule;
- the age of the child;
- the hours of care the child needs;
- if the child has special needs; and
- the family's countable income.
Then, before figuring out the payment amount, Care 4 Kids also identifies:
- where the provider is located in the state;
- the type of provider; and
- if the provider is accredited.
Families in Care 4 Kids are sent a separate Child Care Certificate for each child in the family who is eligible for payment. The child care provider is also sent a copy of the Certificate.
Click here to see a sample Child Care Certificate.
The Child Care Certificate covers a specific period of time, up to six months. However, if there are any changes made in the family schedule or the child care arrangements (change in hours, for instance), parents and providers need to call Care 4 Kids, 1-888-214-KIDS (5437), to report these changes. A new Child Care Certificate will then be issued that shows these changes, as long as the child remains eligible for payment.
Working families in Care 4 Kids are required to pay a Family Fee. This fee is set by the program and is listed on the Child Care Certificate. Also, Care 4 Kids may not cover all of the provider's charges for child care. The family is responsible for the Family Fee and all child care charges not covered by the program. In both of these cases, the parent pays the provider directly for these charges.
Click here to see a chart of the Care 4 Kids Payment Rates.
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How will I get paid?
Every month child care providers receive a Care 4 Kids Invoice. The
Invoice lists the name of each child and the amount of care covered. The provider must review and
complete the Invoice, sign it and send it back to Care 4 Kids for payment.
Click here to see a sample Care
4 Kids Invoice.
Care 4 Kids reviews the returned invoice as soon as it is
received. The program will send a check with a Remittance Advice Notice that explains the payment amount.
Click here to see a sample Care 4 Kids Remittance
Advice Notice.
For answers to questions about payment, call 1-888-214-KIDS (5437).
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How do I become a licensed child care provider?
The State of Connecticut's Department of Public Health (DPH) licenses child care providers. There are a number of different categories for providers, including:
- Family Day Care Home
- Group Day Care Home
- Day Care Center
To get more information on licensing call the Department of Public Health (DPH) at 1-800-282-6063, or 860 509-8045 in the Greater Hartford area. Or click here for a direct link to the DPH website.
Providers who are accredited can receive higher payment. Care 4 Kids recognizes accreditation from the following national organizations:
- National Academy of Early Childhood Programs/National Association for the Education of Young Children;
- National Family Day Care Home Association; and
- Council on Accreditation Services for Families and Children, Inc.
To get more information on accreditation call Connecticut Charts-a-Course at 1-800-832-7784.
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How do I contact Care 4 Kids?
It's easy to get help and the answers to all your questions. You can call 1-888-214-KIDS (5437) and talk with a Care 4 Kids representative from 8 am - 5 pm Monday-Friday, or from 8 am -
6 pm on Thursday.
You can also contact the Care 4 Kids program with general questions through this website,
click here to send a Message.
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