Not every childcare program is the same, and EEC's requirements for accepting subsidies depend on what type of provider you are. This page explains the categories and what each one means for you before any voucher can be issued.

Licensed Programs

This covers most formal childcare settings: licensed family child care (FCC) homes, licensed group child care programs, school-age programs, and family child care systems.

Licensed providers must hold a contract or agreement with EEC to accept subsidized children. If you are already licensed, most of your provider eligibility work is embedded in the licensing process. You still need to sign a voucher agreement (through your CCR&R) or contract (directly with EEC) before reimbursement begins.

Family Child Care providers and own children: As of 2023/2024, FCC providers and their assistants are eligible to receive subsidized care for their own children in their own FCC home. This reversed a prior restriction. If inclusion of your own child would put you over licensed capacity, you may instead be issued a voucher for care at another program.

License-Exempt Programs

Some group or school-age programs are determined by EEC to be exempt from licensure. They can still accept subsidies, but must meet additional requirements before any voucher is issued or reimbursement begins:

1. Complete EEC's background record check (BRC)
2. Complete all applicable pre-service and orientation trainings
3. Complete annual trainings (and agree to do so going forward)
4. Meet all applicable health and safety requirements
5. Agree to annual monitoring visits from EEC
6. Sign a subsidized child care agreement

Informal Care Providers

Informal care is care provided by someone who is not licensed — typically a family member or a trusted adult in the child's own home. EEC distinguishes between two types.

Relative Informal Care Providers

A relative of the child (sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent, etc.) who provides care in their own home or the child's home.

Requirements before care begins:

• SORI (Sex Offender Registry Information) and NSOR (National Sex Offender Registry) checks
• Pre-service and orientation trainings
• Meet health and safety requirements
• Sign a subsidized child care agreement
• Provide documentation of their relationship to the child (birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.)

Qualifications:

• Must be 18 or older
• Cannot be the child's parent, stepparent, foster parent, or legal caregiver
• Cannot be a member of the parent's TAFDC assistance unit (unless parent is under 18)
• Must receive a Certificate of Eligibility from EEC before any voucher is issued

Non-Relative Informal Care Providers

A person unrelated to the child who provides care in the child's own home only (not in the provider's home).

Requirements before care begins:

• Full EEC background record check (CORI, SORI, DCF Registry, fingerprinting) — conducted by EEC, not the provider
• Pre-service and orientation trainings
• Annual trainings (and agreement to continue)
• Health and safety requirements (including 11 specific training topics)
• Annual monitoring visits from EEC (with written parental consent, renewed annually)
• Sign a subsidized child care agreement

Qualifications:

• Must be 18 or older
• Cannot reside in the child's household
• Must not be the child's parent, stepparent, foster parent, or caregiver

Informal Care Capacity Limits

Regardless of relative or non-relative status, informal care providers cannot care for more than 6 children under age 13 at one time in the home where care is provided (including the provider's own children under 13).

Before Any Voucher Is Issued

For informal providers specifically, EEC will issue a Certificate of Eligibility once all requirements are met. Your CCR&R cannot issue vouchers until EEC has issued that certificate and confirmed suitability. There is no provisional period — all requirements must be complete before care begins.

For license-exempt programs, the same rule applies: BRC and training must be complete before you provide care or receive reimbursement.

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Next Steps

• Ready to get started? See Accepting Subsidies (2.1) for the overview
• What background checks are required? See Background Checks and Training (2.3)
• Looking for a provider as a family? See Choosing a Provider (1.6)
• Contact your local CCR&R to begin the agreement or informal provider certification process