Child Care Assistance

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Courtyard Early Learning Center does partner with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), to allow families to utilize their Child Care Assistance program.

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This is an amazing program that allows families that need a bit of extra help, in ensuring their child has a place to go every day.

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DESE has a lot of requirements to qualify for assistance, and to get their allotted benefit each day.

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Families should plan to start applying for assistance at least 3 months prior to needing child care.  If assistance is not set up prior to the start of care, families will be required to pay the private pay tuition rate until assistance is secured.

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DESE requires families to use two different online systems to qualify for, maintain, and fully utilize their child care assistance.

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The first system is called Child Care Data System (CCDS). This system is what DESE will ask parents to use to apply for care. Parents will also use this system to choose their provider (Child Care Center).

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The second system is Kindersmart.  This system is used to sign your child in and out out of care each day.  DESE does not pay for days where your child is not signed in and out, or marked absent. DESE only pays for up to 5 absences a month, including holidays.

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We are blessed to have this program in Missouri. However, DESE does make parents work for it. It is a lot of paperwork and communication and pushing to get it approved.  If you are wanting assistance, be prepared to work for it!

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​If the parent doesn’t take DESE’s expectations seriously, and Courtyard loses funding due to those decisions, I will be forced to dismiss due to lack of payment.

Below are some documents that you need to review to help guide you.

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Thank you for CHOOSING Courtyard!

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Candace & Christa

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