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Child Care Assistance Program Information for Child Care Providers
The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps families with low incomes pay for child care so that parents can work or go to school, and children have more opportunities to thrive as learners.
Every month, CCAP provides access to child care for over 23,000 children from over 12,000 families. Nearly 4,000 child care providers make this possible by registering with CCAP.
Benefits to CCAP providers
Child care and early education providers registered with CCAP benefit by:
- Receiving consistent and predicable payments from CCAP
- Being ready to provide child care to all Minnesota families and children
- Committing to equity and inclusion for all Minnesota families and children
Receiving payment from CCAP also gives you a 10% bonus on your Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program payments. It also gives you an advantage when applying for some child care grants.
Registering for CCAP
Any provider who is actively licensed or certified by Minnesota, licensed by a Tribal nation, or licensed by another state is eligible to register with CCAP. Family, friend and neighbor caregivers may also register as legal nonlicensed providers.
Registration is the process used by CCAP to determine whether a child care provider meets the necessary requirements to get program payments.
For more information about CCAP registration, see the Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Provider Guide (DHS-5260) (PDF).
All provider types may use the CCAP Provider Management feature in the Provider Hub to register, renew their registration, or submit changes to their registration information. Most providers are required to use the CCAP Provider Management feature.
If you are unsure how to submit registration information, visit the DCYF CCAP Provider Support Team engagement site for more information.
Managing your CCAP information using the CCAP Provider Management feature in the Provider Hub is the fastest, easiest, and most secure way to register for CCAP.
The Provider Hub:
- Uses existing data the State of Minnesota has about your program to streamline the registration and renewal process.
- Keeps your data more secure than using mail, email or fax to share information.
- Reduces processing time for registration, renewal, and changes so payments occur faster and with fewer interruptions.
- Provides digital access to CCAP notices including information about Service Authorizations and payments.
You must have an account to use the Provider Hub. Do not set up an account unless DCYF tells you to do so. See the FAQ for guidance on getting an account based on what type of provider you are.
Most providers must use the Provider Hub to manage registration information. Some providers may manage their registration information outside of the Provider Hub, by completing and submitting information using the CCAP Provider Forms Submission Site (DHS-8671).
As of April 28, 2025, child care providers register for CCAP with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Providers no longer register directly with the family’s CCAP agency. Providers who were registered with any CCAP agency on April 28, 2025 had their registration converted to a DCYF registration automatically. Registering with DCYF allows payment from any CCAP agency. This registration is valid for two years. After two years, providers must renew registration with DCYF. During the two-year registration period, providers must submit updates to registration information to DCYF.
Providers can manage their CCAP information, including registration requests, renewals, and change reporting in the Provider Hub. If you are unsure how to submit registration information, visit the DCYF CCAP Provider Support Team engagement site for more information.
Review the resources available on DCYF CCAP Provider Support Team engagement site or contact the DCYF CCAP Provider Support Team at ccap.providers.dcyf@state.mn.us or 651-431-4848.
CCAP policies and rules for child care providers
Registered CCAP providers must maintain their registration to continue to be eligible for CCAP payments.
To maintain your registration:
- Report changes to your registration information
- Complete the renewal process every two years
- Follow all program rules and requirements
For more information about CCAP rules, see the Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Provider Guide (DHS-5260) (PDF).
Report changes through the CCAP Provider Management feature in the Provider Hub.
- If you are unsure how to submit registration information, visit the DCYF CCAP Provider Support Team engagement site for more information.
For more information about reporting changes to your registration information, see the Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Provider Guide (DHS-5260) (PDF).
Every two years, providers must renew their registration with DCYF. The renewal process is like the initial registration process. DCYF will notify your program when you must renew your registration.
For more information about renewing your registration, see the Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Provider Guide (DHS-5260) (PDF).
DCYF can revoke your registration and stop payments if you do not follow all program rules. This includes rules about:
- Maintaining a healthy and safe child care environment for children
- Keeping records and reporting accurate information about your program and families
- Billing accurately for care you provide to families using CCAP
- Giving caregivers unlimited access to their children during all hours that a child is in your care
- Follow rules about employing parents of enrolled children who are eligible for child care assistance
For more information about CCAP program rules, see the Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Provider Guide (DHS-5260) (PDF).
CCAP billing and payments
If a family is eligible for assistance, child care assistance pays the child care provider directly, except in certain cases when child care is provided in the child's home. If care is provided in the child’s home, the program pays the parent, who then must pay the provider.
The amount of child care assistance families are eligible for is based on factors including family size, income, age of the child or children, type of child care and amount of care needed. Families may be required by CCAP to pay for part of their child care costs. This is called a copayment.
CCAP may not cover all of your charges. The amount that CCAP can pay providers is limited by program rules and the family’s eligibility. Families are responsible for paying for any costs that CCAP cannot pay.
For more information on how CCAP pays providers, see the Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Provider Guide (DHS-5260) (PDF).
You must submit a CCAP Billing Form to be paid by child care assistance. CCAP will send you a Billing Form for each family eligible for CCAP with a child authorized for care at your program. You can bill CCAP by submitting a paper Billing Form that is mailed to you or electronically using MEC² PRO. For more information about electronic billing with MEC² PRO, see the MEC² PRO Provider User Manual (DHS-8672).
For more information on how to bill CCAP for child care charges, see the Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Provider Guide (DHS-5260) (PDF) or check out the Child Care Assistance Program billing rules and policies tutorials on YouTube.
- To bill electronically using MEC² PRO, submit an MEC² PRO User Agreement in the Provider Hub.
- If you lose a check, a check is damaged, or if payment is sent but not received, complete an Affidavit of Failure to Receive Warrant - Vendors/Payees DHS-1609A (PDF) and send it to the CCAP agency that issued the payment.
CCAP pays either the maximum CCAP payment amount or the charges your program bills to CCAP, whichever is less. CCAP cannot pay you more than the amount you charge for care. Providers may not charge a family receiving CCAP assistance a higher rate than your private, full-paying client rate.
Once a CCAP agency receives a completed bill, they will issue you payment within 21 days. Providers can choose to be paid by check or direct deposit.
For more information about CCAP payment policies, see the Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Provider Guide (DHS-5260) (PDF).
CCAP can pay up to your charges but may pay less than what you charge. Families are responsible for covering any additional charges and their assigned copayment amount, if any. CCAP has higher rates for accredited and Parent Aware Rated programs and providers with certain credentials.
Child care assistance has maximum rates that can be paid for hourly, daily and weekly care. CCAP uses these rates to determine the maximum payment amount you can receive for care provided to a child eligible for CCAP.
The Child Care Assistance Program uses higher rates to determine the maximum payment amount, if providers submit proof that they hold certain current early childhood development credentials or are accredited by an approved organization. Use the Provider Hub or submit the CCAP Quality Differential Rate Request Form (DHS-4795) using the CCAP Provider Forms Submission Site (DHS-8671) to identify qualifying credentials and/or accreditations, and request the higher rate.
For more information about CCAP rates and payment policies, see the Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Provider Guide (DHS-5260) (PDF).
Reimbursement rates:
- Minnesota CCAP Standard Maximum Rates - No Quality Differential (DHS-6441F) lists the standard reimbursement rates for child care providers who have not submitted proof that they qualify for a higher rate for quality.
- CCAP 15 Percent Quality Differential Maximum Rates DHS-6442F (PDF) lists the reimbursement rates for providers who hold certain accreditations or credentials or have a Three-Star Parent Aware Rating.
- CCAP 20 Percent Quality Differential Rates DHS-6824D (PDF) lists the reimbursement rates for providers who have a Four-Star Parent Aware Rating.
DCYF CCAP Provider Support Team
The DCYF CCAP Provider Support Team is here to help you manage your registration information so CCAP agencies can pay you.
Contact the team directly at:
- 651-431-4848 OR
- ccap.providers.dcyf@state.mn.us
The DCYF CCAP Provider Support Team cannot answer specific questions about a family’s case. For questions about a family’s case or questions about your CCAP payments, contact the CCAP agency.
Child Care Assistance Program information for families
Learn more about the benefits, application process and eligibility requirements for families.