Overview

The Office of Early Childhood (OEC) offers a variety of financial programs and resources to help providers offer quality early child care and education to the children they care for. 

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 signed on March 11, 2021, included funding for child care stabilization grants for states. The goal of the stabilization grants is to give financial relief to child care providers to help them pay for unexpected business costs associated with the pandemic, and to help stabilize their operations so they can continue providing quality care to children.

All licensed child care centers, child care family homes, and out-of-school time facilities that were open on or prior to March 11, 2021, qualify to receive funding. An email invitation was sent to qualifying providers in October 2021.

• ARPA Overview Presentation
• ARPA One-Pager
• ARPA Grant Application Instructions
• ARPA Operational Grant
• ARPA Quality Improvement Grant
• ARPA Certificate of Authority
• ARPA Expansion Grant
• ARPA Expansion Grant Presentation
• ARPA Expansion Grant Frequently Asked Questions
• ARPA Sustainability Grant

ARPA Child Care Supply Building Grant

The ARPA Child Care Supply Building Grant was a competitive funding opportunity to open a new child care center, child care family home, or out-of-school time program. The goal was to increase the availability of quality early care and education in communities with an identified shortage or no services for infants, toddlers, and school-aged children. 

To see a list of grant recipients, click here.

Child Care Assistance Program (Vouchers)

Child Care providers who are licensed or registered by OEC and meet the requirements set by the State of Arkansas may participate in the CCDF Child Care Assistance Program. This program allows providers to accept voucher funds from parents who are wishing to place their children in quality child care facilities.

To apply:

• Step One: Complete the CCDF Child Care Participant Agreement Training and Exam
• Step Two: Complete and mail or fax the forms you are provided following the exam

Additional Information:

• New CCDF Child Care Participant Agreement Rules and Regulations (Effective 7/31/2023)
• CCDF Child Care Participant Agreement Rules and Regulations
• Child Care Billing Website
• New CCDF Daily Rates Effective 07/31/2023 
  

Nutrition Programs

The Arkansas Special Nutrition Programs include: Child & Adult Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program for Children, Special Milk, and National School Lunch. These programs are funded by the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the state. Use the link below to learn more.

• Arkansas Special Nutrition Program

Behavior Help Program and Resources

Behavior Help services are available to assist child care centers virtually by providing support in managing challenging classroom behaviors, as well as the social-emotional well-being of your children, families, and staff. Learn More

Arkansas Market Rate Review

OEC seeks to increase the quality of care provided throughout the state without harming the financial well-being of child care businesses. On their behalf, independent evaluators at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) prepared a series of cost models to identify impacts of potential regulatory and policy changes.

• 2019 Arkansas Child Care Market Price Study
• 2019 QRIS Making Quality Ends Meet
• 2015 Arkansas Child Care Market Price Study
• 2014 QRIS Making Quality Ends Meet – Highlights 

Arkansas Quality Incentive Rates

Geographic Locations:

Arkansas Urban counties are limited to: Benton, Cleveland, Craighead, Crawford, Crittenden, Faulkner, Garland, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, Little River, Lonoke, Madison, Perry, Poinsett, Pulaski, Saline, Sebastian, and Washington. All other counties are designated as Rural.