Summary of changes impacting payments:
CCAP Reimbursement Rate Updates | Oct. 1
- Infant and toddler rates stay at 75% of market rate.
- Preschool (3-5) rates reset to 60% of market rate.
- School-age rates reset to 50% of market rate.
Part-time Care Calculation | Oct. 1
- A new standardized method will be implemented.
Infant and Toddler Bonuses | Nov. 1
- Beginning November 1, only Bright & Early ND quality rated programs will be eligible.
- New monthly bonus amounts based on current quality rating.
- Step 2 and above:
- $200 per infant (0 to 18 months)
- $115 per toddler (18 months to 3 years)
- Step 1:
- $100 per infant
- $55 per toddler
- Step 2 and above:
Workforce co-pays | Nov. 1
- Co-pays for families participating in the Child Care Workforce Benefit resume November 1.
Expanded Infant & Toddler Bonuses | Jan. 1
- Starting January 1, bonuses will expand to cover all children ages 0–3, not just those on CCAP.
Continued from 2023-2025 biennium
Quality Awards
Quality Improvement grants are available to licensed child care programs to support investments in quality. This grant is available on an annual basis and measured by the program’s ability to attain and/or maintain a step 2, step 3, or step 4 quality rating. Programs that achieve a higher quality rating and have already received a grant for the year will receive payment for the difference between the previous quality rating and the current quality rating. Your program will be eligible to receive the full grant amount on the next annual calculation, as long as your program meets the eligibility requirements.
Awards vary based on license type, capacity and step.
Workforce Training and Education Incentive
This incentive is awarded to current members of the Early Childhood Workforce Registry who are working toward an early childhood credential or degree. An eligible child care worker can receive $100 - $300 for completing various high priority courses.
CDA PD Specialist Incentive
This incentive offers $400 per completed CDA verification visit and is awarded to Early Childhood Workforce Registry members who have a current Professional Development Specialist Certification with the Council for Professional Recognition and have completed a CDA verification visit with in the last 30 days.
Shared Services
Shared services are available at little to no cost for participating licensed child care programs. These services help child care programs save time, improve cash flow and revenue, support and manage staff, and improve overall communication with families. Child Care Aware of North Dakota offers shared services on behalf of HHS. These include business trainings, curriculum and child care management software.
Bright & Early ND
Bright & Early ND is North Dakota’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) designed to assess, improve and communicate the level of quality of early childhood programs. Programs that participate receive personalized support for success, professional development opportunities and access to financial incentives.
July 2025
Career Pathway Advancement | Designated Application Windows
This incentive of $625 to $2,000 recognizes Early Childhood Workforce Registry members employed by an early childhood program, working at least 15 hours per week, with verified employment in a direct care role or non-direct care professional (e.g. nurse, education coordinator) who advance on the Career Pathways.
Aug. 2025
Pyramid Model Implementation
The Pyramid Model is a comprehensive, multi-tiered framework of evidence-based practices that promotes the healthy development of young children. It focuses on encouraging positive behavior and addressing challenging behaviors in early childhood settings. Five programs will be selected for Cohort 1.
Training and quality coaching provided to programs at no cost. Resource kits and financial incentives accompany the training. Coaching provided by USpireND.
Sept. 2025
CCAP Bonus for Bright & Early ND Providers | Impact for Providers
What’s happening:
Bonus amounts paid to providers based on their Bright & Early ND quality rating step will be changing.
| Step | Previous bonus amounts: | New bonus amounts: |
| Step 3: | 15% | 10% |
| Step 2: | 10% | 5% |
| Step 1: | 5% | 2% |
Why this is changing:
This update will help rebalance program funding while continuing to recognize provider quality.
Grow Grants
The Grow Child Care Grant supports newly licensed or expanding child care programs in North Dakota’s high-needs counties—Benson, Divide, Dunn, Griggs, Kidder, McLean, Morton, Mountrail, Oliver, Sheridan, Towner, and Wells. HHS also supports programs anywhere in the state adding dedicated infant or toddler spaces.
Facility Improvement Grant
This biennium, facility improvement grants will be available to programs that experience a facility crisis such as fire, water or wind damage.
Criminal Background Check Automated System | Business Registration opened Aug. and is required by Sept. 25, 2025
Registration allows child care providers to receive real-time updates on prospective staff background checks, view all background checks associated with their program, and communicate more easily wit hthe Criminal Background Check Unit team members.
Learn more about Criminal Background Checks and Licensed or Regulated Child Care Providers
Oct. 2025
CCAP Reimbursement Rate Updates | Impact for Families and Providers
Infants and toddlers (0–35 months)
- Reimbursement will remain at 75% of market rate, using updated market rate survey data.
Preschool (3–5 years) and school-age children
- Preschool rate will be reset to 60% of market rate, using the most current market rate survey data.
- School-age rate will be reset to 50% of market rate, using the most current market rate survey data.
Updated full-time rates effective Oct. 1, 2025
| Age Group | Center (C, E, K, M) | Family (F, G, H) | S, R (Self-Declared/Tribal Registered) | Approved Relative |
| Infant | $1,240 | $900 | $614 | $401 |
| Toddler | $1,124 | $880 | $540 | $385 |
| Preschool | $980 | $780 | $470 | $310 |
| School | $800 | $700 | $383 | $252 |
Why this is changing:
This adjustment takes into account the recently completed cost analysis and market rate survey.
Part-time Care Calculation | Impact for Families and Providers
Starting October 1, part-time child care assistance payments will be based on a standardized calculation across all providers. Here's how it works:
- We take the full-time monthly market rate and convert it into an hourly rate.
- Then we multiply that hourly rate by 86 hours per month to determine the part-time monthly rate.
The 86-hour standard is based on an average of just over 20 hours of care per week. This fixed number allows for consistent and predictable payments from month to month, regardless of how many days are in the month or how holidays and schedules may vary.
Payments will still be paid based on enrollment, regardless of how the rate is calculated.
Updated part-time rates effective Oct. 1, 2025
| Age Group | Center (C, E, K, M) | Family (F, G, H) | S, R (Self-Declared/Tribal Registered) | Approved Relative |
| Infant | $645 | $484 | $308 | $201 |
| Toddler | $591 | $457 | $271 | $180 |
| Preschool | $527 | $419 | $253 | $167 |
| School | $430 | $376 | $206 | $135 |
Why this is changing:
As the program now supports more families than ever before, adjustments to the part-time rate structure were made to ensure long-term sustainability while minimizing disruption for the majority of families and providers. This change also helps standardize and simplify payment calculations across providers.
Inclusion Grants
Inclusive Care Support grants are designed to help licensed or self-declared programs create and maintain an inclusive environment that supports children with disabilities or developmental delays to learn, grow, play and develop alongside their peers in an inclusive setting.
Child Care Licensing Toolkit
The Child Care Licensing Toolkit gives new and soon-to-be child care providers the support they need. It combines provider orientation with guidance from a quality coach, helping them gain the tools, confidence, and resources to run a successful licensed business.
Training and quality coaching provided to programs at no cost. Resource kits accompany the training. Coaching provided by Child Care Aware of North Dakota.
Nov. 2025
Infant and Toddler Bonus Eligibility Shift | Impact for Providers
What’s changing:
- Beginning November 1, only Bright & Early ND quality rated programs will be eligible .
- New monthly bonus amounts based on current quality rating.
- Step 2 and above:
- $200 per infant (0 to 18 months)
- $115 per toddler (18 months to 3 years)
- Step 1:
- $100 per infant
- $55 per toddler
- Step 2 and above:
Why this is changing:
To support and encourage quality care, focusing on care being provided for children ages 0 to 3.
How do I become a Bright & Early ND quality rated provider?
Visit Bright & Early ND to learn more about the process, benefits and resources available to support participation.
Workforce Copay Reinstatement | Impact for Providers and Families
What’s changing:
Co-pays for participants in the Child Care Workforce Benefit will resume. These families will pay the same co-pay rates as CCAP families. Families over the regular CCAP income limit (i.e., eligible because they are working in a child care setting), will not pay more than the top co-pay rate in CCAP.
Learn how copays are calculated.
Note: The online copay calculator will be updated in the coming weeks to reflect the recent program changes.
Why this is changing:
Co-pays for participants in the Child Care Workforce Benefit will be aligned to the same co-pay rates as CCAP families.
Non-Traditional Hour Child Care Grants
Non-traditional hour child care grants are intended to increase the capacity of non-traditional hour child care in HHS-licensed cihld care programs to support parents who work non-traditional hours. Funds can be used for operating expenses, supplies and equipment, or capitol improvements. HHS desires to support one or more non-traditional hour child care solutions. Applicants must already be HHS licensed.
Applicants can initially request up to $500,000 for their implementation of a non-traditional hour child care solution.
Jan. 2026
Change in Payment Date for Infant and Toddler Bonuses
What’s changing:
The payment date for Infant and Toddler Bonuses will change from the 5th to the 10th of each month.
Expanded Eligibility for Infant and Toddler Bonuses | Impact for Providers
What’s changing:
Providers will qualify for infant and toddler bonuses based on attendance for all children ages 0 to 3, not just those whose families are enrolled in CCAP.
Bonus amounts:
- Bright & Early ND Step 2 and above
- $200 per child ages 0 to 18 months
- $115 per child ages 18 months to 3 years
- Bright & Early ND Step 1
- $100 per child ages 0 to 18 months
- $55 per child ages 18 months to 3 years
Why this is changing:
This enhancement broadens access to funding and supports quality care for infants and toddlers across all settings and family income levels.
Workforce Registry Incentive | Application window January 1 - January 31
This incentive ranging from $250 - $500 recognizes professionals who maintain a Career Pathway Placement. Early Childhood Workforce Registry members employed by an early childhood program, working at least 15 hours per week, with verified employment in a direct care role or non-direct care professional (e.g. nurse, education coordinator) with a Career Pathway Placement of Category B or higher are eligible.
Feb. 2026
Best in Class
This program expands access to high-quality early childhood experiences for children in the year before kindergarten. Through strong coaching support and a culture of continuous improvement, participating programs deliver measurable benefits for both the state and its youngest learners. By focusing on individualized, play-based learning and using authentic assessments to guide instruction, the program ensures every child enters kindergarten ready to succeed and thrive in school and beyond.
Awards are based on cour levers - group size, tuition dependence, school district’s free and reduced priced student enrollment and schedule of operation.