CCFS Provider Information
Being a childcare provider can be a rewarding career. We can help you.
You can make a difference in the lives of children and parents that you serve. It’s also your chance to own and run your own business. Child Care Resource & Referral can help you find answers to your questions when getting your business started and assisting you in providing quality care. Child Care Resource & Referral offers training, technical assistance over the phone or personalized visits based on provider’s needs.
Clark County: 360-750-7429
Cowlitz, Klickitat, Skamania and Wahkiakum Counties: 877-803-3287
Email: ccrrproviders@esd112.org
Care Provider Online Update
Update your listing to ensure accurate referrals provided to families looking for care.
Support through the licensing process
The licensing process begins with orientation. At the orientation, you will learn about licensing laws and receive an application packet with instructions, state regulations, and additional information. A licensor will also be available to answer specific questions. To request a personalized visit and more information and assistance in the licensing process call: 877-803-3287
Department of Early Learning: Frequently Asked Questions for Child Care Providers
Benefits of Licensing
- Becoming licensed is required by law. It is fairly easy to become licensed and CCFS is here to help.
- Becoming a licensed child care provider allows you to receive a free business listing with Child Care Resources Referral Service.
- You can receive the licensed child care provider subsidy when you care for families on Working Connections Child Care Subsidy.
- You can participate in a federal food program which reimburses you for some of your food expenses.
- You can gain tax advantages. For information about record keeping requirements for tax purposes, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Books about taxes and record keeping are available from Redleaf Press.
- You can purchase liability insurance.
- You will have the state and state licensor as resources.
- You can take advantage of many community resources.
Education/Training
All family child care providers need current CPR, First Aid, and HIV/Aids training. Providers, child care center and school-age care directors, program supervisors, site coordinators and lead teachers must also meet the required 20 hours of essential child care training within the first 6 months of being licensed or hired. In addition, 10 hours of continuing education is required annually.
Child Care & Family Services provides training and continuing education and/or can provide other community resources that have training and services for child care providers. A variety of training and classes are offered. Classes offered fall under the 11 core competencies for child care in Washington State. The competencies include:
- Administration
- Child Growth, Development and Learning
- Guidance
- Communication
- Cultural and Individual
- Curriculum Development
- Environment
- Family Systems
- Health, Safety and Nutrition
- Observations and Assessments
- Professionalism
Provider Training
To register online:
- View the online listing of STARS Courses
- Once you select a course, you will be promted to register if you do not already have a log-in ID.
- New users will be prompted to create a user profile and receive a log-in ID.
- Once completed, you will be taken to the registration page.
Training Registration and Fee Policy
School Readiness for Child Care Providers
Do the children in your care have the foundational skills necessary to be successful in kindergarten? Approximately 2/3 of children in Washington State not yet in public school spend a portion of their days in the care of someone other than a parent. As a child care professional, you play a critical role in ensuring the children in your care develop the skills they will need to be successful in kindergarten. Child Care and Family Services offers a wide-rage of services and supports designed to maximize your effectiveness as an early childhood professional. Members of a multi-disciplinary Resource Team are available to provide support around a wide-range of topics – including health and safety, mental health and child development. In addition, on-site consultation offers an opportunity to learn more about how to grow your business as well as the professional development opportunities. In addition, group literacy experiences are offered in conjunction with community partners through the Read and Play program. Several schools in Clark County have Kindergarten Transition Teams comprised of parents, school staff and community members all working toward strengthening the transition process. Click on the following link to request a free kindergarten readiness brochure entitled: How will I know my child is ready for Kindergarten? You as a professional provide a vital service in the community and our programs are designed to foster excellence. We look forward to hearing from you.
Child Nutrition Program
ESD 112 is a sponsoring organization for the Child and Adult Care Food Program operated by the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). This federal program provides healthy meals and snacks to children in child care.
Each day more than 2.6 million individuals participate in CACFP at day care homes and centers across the country. Providers are reimbursed for serving nutritious meals which meet USDA requirements. The program plays a vital role in improving the quality of day care and making it more affordable for low-income families.
If you are a family child care provider living in Clark, Lewis or Thurston counties and are interested in participating in the Child Nutrition program, please call or email: (360) 750-7500 x127 or toll free (877) 803-3287 x 127 or childnutrition@esd112.org
Clark County Child Care Resource Team
The Resource Team is a free service to all licensed child care providers in Clark County. This team of specialists can assist you with any issues you may have concerning a child, family or business matter. Would you like some help with challenging behaviors, creating an engaging environment, or accessing community resources? Call or email the provider services line and request a Resource Team specialist assist you with your questions and concerns. The specialist can discuss your questions over the phone and/or schedule a time to come to your child care to give you information or do a child observation. The service is confidential. See how the Resource Team can help you!
Call: (360) 750-7429
Email: ccrrproviders@esd112.org
Clark County Family Child Care Provider Network
The Provider Network is a support structure for family child care providers in Clark County. The Network consists of cohorts of providers that are geographically and culturally based. Currently cohorts exist in the East County, West County, Orchards and Slavic communities. Providers attend monthly meetings and spend time networking, socializing with peers and participating in STARS training. Providers also receive site visits monthly from Network mentors who assist them with individual questions, concerns and requests.
Providers involved in the Network had the following things to say:
“I wanted to get to know other providers in the area and talk to people who are doing the same thing that I am and understand where I’m coming from when I have questions about my daycare.”
“This makes me feel less isolated…”
“What I have enjoyed is hearing that some of the things that I have been doing in my daycare are a lot of the things you do in your daycare. Or I feel that how I’m going about it is right.”
“Before people used to see us and we felt more like babysitters; now we feel like teachers.”
If you are interested in learning more about the Network or finding out if there is space available in a cohort near you, please call 750-7500 and ask to speak with a Provider Network specialist.