When you receive childcare financial assistance, your child's spot is funded one of two ways: through a voucher or a contract slot. Both pay for your child's care, but they work differently.

Vouchers

A voucher is a payment authorization that is valid for a given time period. You take the voucher to any provider who accepts vouchers, and EEC pays that provider for your child's care.

• You choose the provider — any licensed program or approved caregiver who has a voucher agreement with EEC
• You can switch providers with 14 days notice
• The voucher is portable — it goes where your child goes

For how the transfer process works, see Switching Providers (1.7).

Most families receiving childcare assistance have vouchers.

Contract Slots

A contract slot is a reserved spot at a specific childcare program that has a contract with EEC. The program receives funding for a set number of slots, and your child fills one of them.

• The slot is at a specific program — you enroll at that program
• Contract programs may offer additional services (like family support, developmental screenings, or curriculum) beyond what a typical voucher provider offers
• Availability depends on the program having an open contract slot

Key Differences

	Voucher	Contract Slot
Who chooses the provider?	You do	You enroll at the contracted program
Can I switch providers?	Yes, with 14 days notice	You'd need to transfer to a voucher or another contract program
Who pays the provider?	EEC, through the CCR&R	EEC, directly to the contracted program
Who handles my case?	Your CCR&R	The contracted program and/or your CCR&R

Can I Switch Between Them?

Yes. You can transfer from a contract slot to a voucher, or from a voucher to a contract slot, if there's availability. Your CCR&R handles this process.

Important (as of January 2026): For income-eligible families, voucher access is currently limited to continuity of care. This means that if you leave a contract slot (for example, if your child moves from a toddler program to a different Preschool), and you don't renew your voucher or transfer it to the CCR&R within 30 days of expiration, you may lose your continuity of care and be ineligible for a voucher.

Ask your CCR&R about current availability.

One Child, One Type

Your child can receive either a voucher or a contract slot — not both at the same time.

Siblings in Voucher Slots

If you have a child in a contract slot and have other children in need of childcare, they currently qualify through sibling access rules. If the children are at different providers, you'll likely need to complete documentation with the CCR&R, who can manage the authorization and placements for your entire family.

---

Next Steps

• Looking for a provider? See Choosing a Provider (1.6)
• Want to switch providers? See Switching Providers (1.7)
• Not sure who handles your case? See Who Does What? (0.2)
• Contact your CCR&R to ask about your subsidy type