Overview

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

CCDF Providers (Payment)

• New System

School Readiness Assistance Program (Vouchers)

Child Care providers licensed or registered by OEC and meeting the State of Arkansas requirements may participate in the CCDF School Readiness Assistance Program. This program allows providers to accept voucher funds from parents 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:

• CCDF Child Care Participant Agreement Rules and Regulations
• Child Care Billing Website
• New CCDF Daily Rates Effective 07/31/2023
• New CCDF Daily Rates Effective 10/1/2024

Nutrition Programs

Arkansas's Special Nutrition Programs include the 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, and 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 the impacts of potential regulatory and policy changes.

• 2023 Arkansas Early Childhood Education Cost Models
• 2023 Arkansas Child Care Market Price Study
• 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's 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.