1. Will I be paid when a child in my care is doing distance learning during school hours? (Last Reviewed 11/23/21)
Yes, a child care provider who cares for a child who is doing distance learning must be paid during school hours until November 12, 2021. On or after November 15, 2021, a provider will only be paid for care with a child care subsidy during school hours if the school or classroom is closed and in-person instruction is unavailable.
The California Department of Social Services (DSS) issued two Child Care Bulletins (CCB) that require providers be paid for care occurring from July 1, 2021 until November 12, 2021 even if the school was open and in-person instruction was available.
- CCB 21-14 which applies to programs accepting subsidies from:
- Alternative Payment Programs (APPs)
- CalWORKs Stage 1, 2, and 3
- Bridge Program
- Migrant Alternative Payment Program (CMAP)
- CCB 21-15 which applies to:
- General Childcare
- Family Child Care Home Education Networks (FCCHENs)
- Migrant Child Care and Development Programs (CMIG)
If you are having issues with an APP regarding pay, please contact the Child Care Law Center. You may review the CCBs here: CCB 21-14, CCB 21-15
2. If I have to temporarily close my child care due to COVID-19, how many days will I continue to receive payment for a child care subsidy? (Last Reviewed 7/19/22)
You can be reimbursed for the following nonoperational days:
10 Paid Non-operational Days:
Existing law allows providers to use the 10 nonoperational days to receive payment for a child care subsidy during each fiscal year, July 1 – June 30. These paid days of non-operation do not have to be related to COVID-19. The provider only needs to show that parents without child care subsidies are also contractually required to pay for child care on these days. This applies to providers operating through an Alternative Payment Program, CalWORKs Stage 1, 2, or 3, or Family Child Care Home Education Networks (FCCHENs). See Cal. Code Regs. tit. 5 § 18076.2(b)(2); Cal. Code Regs. tit. 5 § 18074 (applying the 10 operational days to FCCHEN providers).
Expiration of Additional COVID-19 Paid Nonoperational Days
Starting July 1, 2022, child care providers will no longer receive the additional 16 paid nonoperational days given for COVID-19 closures. Providers can still use the 10 paid nonoperational days mentioned above. For more information view the Child Care Bulletin 22-15, page 3.
3. If the family of a child in my care pays me with a child care subsidy, will I continue to get paid for that child if I stay open but the child is absent from my care? (Last Reviewed 11/23/21)
Yes, if a family of a child in your care is paying you with a child care subsidy, you will continue to get paid for that child if they are absent from your care and you keep your program open. This policy remains in effect until June 30, 2022. CCB No. 21-07.
If the child is on a variable schedule, providers will be paid based on the maximum authorized hours of care. More information about the reimbursement requirements for different child care programs can be found here: CCB No. 21-07.
If families in your program are keeping their children home during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a good idea to talk with the family to make sure they know about this policy. Some families might not know that providers can get paid based on enrollment, not attendance. If a family tells their case worker that they do not need child care right now, then the agency might stop paying you. CCB No. 21-07 only applies to caring for children outside of scheduled instructional minutes. If a provider is caring for a school-age child during times that in person instruction is available, please refer to Question 1, “Will I be paid when a child in my care is doing distance learning during school hours?” If you have an issue about payment with an Alternative Payment Program (APP), please contact the Child Care Law Center.
4. Do parents have to come in to sign attendance sheets? (Last Reviewed 7/19/22)
Yes, parents need to come in and sign attendance sheets. On June 30, 2022, the state ended the COVID-19 policy allowing providers to submit attendance sheets without a parent’s signature. For more information view Child Care Bulletin 22-15 page 5.
