Child care assistance can pay up to 15% above the standard maximum rate, not to exceed the provider charge, if a provider submits verification showing they hold a certain current early childhood development credential or is accredited by certain organizations. Approved accreditations are posted on the DCYF website.

Providers submit information and verification for their quality-accreditation/credential to the DCYF CCAP Provider Support Team as part of managing their registration information. Use the CCAP Provider Communications Form on SIR selecting the “Question about provider information” drop down in the form to notify DCYF when a provider has told you they are eligible for a higher rate for quality. Refer providers to the DCYF CCAP Provider Website or the DCYF CCAP Provider Support Team at ccap.providers.dcyf@state.mn.us or 651-431-4848 for any questions about managing their registration.

Approved credentials and accreditations for family child care providers

A licensed family child care provider or legal nonlicensed provider is eligible for the 15% higher rate for quality if they hold one of the following early childhood development credentials or accreditations:

Multiple license holders

Each adult on a licensed family child care license must have one of the credentials listed above to get the 15% higher rate for quality.

Other credentials

Licensed family child care providers and legal nonlicensed providers that do not hold one of the above credentials are NOT eligible for the higher rate. Licensed family child care providers and legal nonlicensed providers that hold a credential other than the ones listed above are NOT eligible for the higher rate.

Approved accreditations for center-based providers

Child care centers that hold one of the accreditations below are eligible for the 15% higher rate for quality. Make sure the name of the accreditation and the listed organization match exactly as listed below before approving the higher rate:

Expired accreditations

MEC² will automatically send new notices to providers and families when a Higher Rate for Quality is expiring.

Accrediting organizations may issue an extension of a current accreditation. A letter from the qualifying accrediting organization that states that the timeframe has been extended that includes the extension end date is required to issue an extension. If a provider submits an extension letter to your agency, submit it to the DCYF CCAP Provider Support Team using the CCAP Provider Communications Form on SIR selecting the “Forwarding provider materials” drop down in the form.

Other accreditations

Centers that are not accredited by one of the above organizations are NOT eligible for the higher rate. Centers that are accredited by an organization other than the ones listed above are NOT eligible for the higher rate. The DCYF CCAP Provider Support Team determines eligibility for the higher rate for quality. If a provider submits accreditation documentation to your agency, submit it to the DCYF CCAP Provider Support Team using the CCAP Provider Communications Form on SIR selecting the “Forwarding provider materials” drop down in the form.

Providers eligible for more than one higher rate for quality

The 15% higher rate for quality is the maximum rate that can be paid to an accredited or credentialed provider unless the provider has a Four-Star Parent Aware rating. Providers with a Four-Star Parent Aware rating qualify for the 20% higher rate for quality.

Providers who hold a credential/accreditation and a Three-Star Parent Aware Rating qualify for the 15% higher rate for quality.

See Chapter 9.24.3 (Child Care Rates, Registration Fees, Copayments) for links to the maximum rates tables.

Effective date of higher rates

Providers are eligible for the higher rate the first Monday following the date the verification is received by DCYF.

Issues with Parent Aware Rating

If a Parent Aware Rating is not displaying correctly in MEC2, contact the DCYF CCAP Provider Support Team using the CCAP Provider Communications Form on SIR selecting the “Question about provider information” drop down in the form.

Legal authority

Minnesota Statutes 142E.17, subd. 4 & 5