Resources

Ensuring Quality, Access to Training and Technical Assistance for Providers

Child Care Resources (CCR) receives funding from the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) to promote provider development and engagement services support, ensuring quality, access to training and technical assistance. CCR manages a comprehensive database of provider information using Work Life Systems, a national data program used by Resource and Referral agencies across the country. CCR is required to contact its providers on an annual basis to update their program information, rates, and openings. This database allows us to assist families find childcare in their area. We also help families access financial assistance for childcare.

Find your local CCR & R here: CCR&R Search Engine

View Map of Coverage area: CCR&R Coverage Map

3 Types of Child Care and How to Become a Provider

1. Family Child Care (FCC)

A Family Child Care provider or FCC is licensed through EEC to care for 6 to 10 children. You also have a choice of remaining as an independent provider or joining an FCC System. Systems are several providers that stay under the administrative umbrella.

• Becoming a FCC provider – Strong Start is Mandatory for all Potential FCC Providers  
• A full list of requirements is available on EEC website – Full List 

2. GCC

A Group Child Care provider or GCC is licensed through EEC to care for 10 or more children outside of a home. This category includes Center-based care and School Aged Programs.

• Becoming a GCC provider – Strong Start is a Mandatory for all Potential GCC Providers
• A full list of requirements is available on EEC website – Full List for Small Group
• A full list of requirements is available on EEC website – Full List for Large Group 

3. Informal Child Care (ICC)

An Informal Child Care provider or ICC is for a family who is looking for a relative or non-relative to watch child(ren) of said family. This can only be done is the family has a voucher or referral for a voucher. Because the person watching the child(ren) is unlicensed they are paid a “stipend” through the voucher program.  The definition of relative and non-relative providers is defined by EEC. 

Becoming an ICC Provider

Relative Providers 

• A SORI must be completed and passed in order for the relative to provide care
• Give in all documents required and complete all paperwork
• Attend an Orientation via Zoom

Non-Relative Provider

• Complete a First Aid Training and CPR courses
• Must complete 12 modules in Strong Start
• Pass a CORI and a SORI
• Complete all paperwork and turn all documents needed
• Attend an orientation

If you are interested in using ICC please complete the link below. Only the parent should be completing this Google Form: Interested Parent in ICC 

Provider Profile 

Work Life Systems

Work Life System (WLS) is a database that EEC uses to update some of the information on their website. WLS captures information about your program for parents to see when looking for child care.  WLS is not connected to LEAD and must be updated separately. EEC tasks every CCR&R agency to maintain this database for all providers in their catchment area. This allows parents to get the most updated information on general info, rates, and special needs accommodations a program may have. We are required to contact every provider regardless if they accept subsidy once a year to complete a Provider Profile.

• Profiles and vacancy updates should be sent to: Jean Burris at jburris@sevenhills.org
• FCC Profile – Click on link to complete the pdf fillable profile.
• GCC Profile – Click on link to complete the pdf fillable profile.

Being a Voucher Provider

The voucher program is financial assistance supported by the state of Massachusetts and administered by EEC. All providers must already be licensed through EEC in order to accept vouchers. Families that are eligible for the program must meet minimum requirements to participate.    

Under the Voucher Program, Child Care Providers sign an agreement with CCR or a system to accept payment from the state only if currently licensed or considered license-exempt by the EEC. Providers should be prepared to sign a provider agreement and provide staff with your program’s private rates and scheduled closings. CCR will also need a copy of your license or license exempt letter and your parent handbook.

To find out more about accepting childcare vouchers with CCR contact us:

• English: contact Marybeth Brown at marbrown@sevenhills.org or 508.796.1838. 
• Spanish: contact Melody Rolon at merolon@sevenhills.org or 978.602.8650.  
• Portuguese: contact Helcimara Bicalho at hbicalho@sevenhills.org or 508.796.1851.

We offer Voucher Provider Orientations every other Wednesday via Zoom, from 5 pm to 7pm.  We are able to provide real time translation service through Excel Linguistics, when requested in advance.

Steps to Becoming a Voucher Provider

Family Child Care (FCC) Provider

• There are two types of FCC providers. Independent (IFC), and those part of a system--Family Child Care Systems (FSC).
• Systems (FCS), offer more support to their providers as Independent providers are responsible for all the requirements set forth by EEC on their own.
• Family Child Care Systems (FSC) contract with family child care providers who wish to take advantage of resources and supports such as training, technical assistance and consultation, monitoring, and referrals to health and social services for children in their care.
• As a CCR&R, we only give you access to accept vouchers. 
  Please see the linked pdf flyer explaining IFC v. FCC System.
  To find a system in your area search here -  FCC System
• IFC providers: after attending an orientation must provide the documents EEC requires and sign a contract with us to be able to accept vouchers.

GCC Providers: after attending an orientation must provide the documents EEC requires and sign a contract with us to be able to accept vouchers.

• In some cases, your program may not require a license. If you think that your child care program is exempt from licensure, submit the Licensing Exemption Request Application to an EEC office for approval.

Summer Camp: after attending an orientation must provide the documents EEC requires and sign a contract with us to be able to accept vouchers.

• DO NOT have to be licensed through EEC but must have a Board of Health Certificate 

Billing

Monthly Billing is done on-line through our web-based Child Care Financial Assistance application (CCFA). EEC supports two billing windows each month for voucher payments. Providers will still only be paid once a month for services provided in the previous month, but they will now have two different windows in which they can get their invoice in by to be paid on time. You will need a username and password which you can get from CCR staff, to access your account.  You will submit your attendance each week and on the first of the month, you will review your attendance and submit your billing request.  CCR staff will process and approve the billing and submit it to the state for payment.  Checks to providers are released the day that the money from the state arrives in our account.  See the Notification section for special notices, particularly at the end of the fiscal year and for 1099 information.

• Child Care Financial Assistance System – Log in access available at the bottom of the page
• CCFA Handy Sheet for New Users
• We assist IFC, GCC, and Summer Camps providers with question regarding their voucher billing. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
• Coffee Hour Zoom  Meeting ID: 939 6166 7238 / Passcode: 059937 
  This is for voucher providers that are held the first Friday of the month from 9am to 10am. This hour allows you to ask questions live via zoom about your billing issues.        
• New Enrollment Codes were rolled out by EEC on March 1, 2024. Please contact Billing before completing your billing so that they can walk you through them.
• Contact List

Billing Forms

In this section you will find the paperwork for renewing your Voucher Provider Agreement. The following list is all of the forms needed to update your Voucher Provider agreement with us. You should have the following:

Voucher Provider Forms – FCC, CCC, & School Aged Programs:

• Voucher Services Agreement
• Contact Information Form
• Rate Certification Form (FCC Providers)
• Rate Certification Form (CBC Providers)
• Early Education and Care (EEC) Rate Chart
• W-9
• Holiday Closure Form (FCC Systems)
• Holiday Closure Form (CBC Providers)
• WLS - Provider Profile Form (FCC Providers)
• WLS – Provider Profile Form (CCC Providers)
• Transportation Agreement
• Confirmation of Provider
• End of Placement Form
• Provider Checklist (FCC Providers)
• Provider Checklist (CCC Providers)
• Withdrawal Form (FCC Providers)
• Withdrawal Form (CCC Providers)
• Direct Deposit Form

Summer Camps Renewal Forms:

• Camp Holiday Sheet
• EEC Template for Local Board of Health Summer Camp Renewals
• Provider Profile Update 
• Summer Camp Voucher Agreement
• Transportation Contract
• W-9 Form

Provider Update:

• Facebook Provider Page

Professional Development                            

• Strong Start – EEC’s Professional Development System
• The Center for Childcare Careers Educator Program 
  The Center for Childcare Careers offers advising and training for individuals working or looking to enter the early childhood workforce. The Early Childhood Development Apprenticeship is a new program that provides support to individuals, helping them gain work competencies and meet state qualifications to work in licensed child care centers, preschools and family child care homes. And since we are a grant-funded program, training and coaching is available at a very affordable cost.
• Institute for Education and Professional Development
• InBrief: The Science of Early Childhood Development VIDEO
• Child Care Aware of America
• Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
  The website offers information and resources on child care providers, options for financial assistance, grants for individuals and organizations, professional development, special education, family support, in addition to regulations and policies. Helpful links on the EEC Website:
  • Early Education and Care Programs
  • EEC Financial Assistance Policy Guide
  • EEC Training Calendar
  • EEC Management Bulletins
  • EEC Licensing Forms for Group Child Care Programs
  • Family, Group and School Age Child Care Regulations and Policies
  • EEC Grant Opportunities
  • EEC Board Meeting YouTube Page
  • EEC Income Eligibility Table

Provider Resources

• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): For Child Care Centers
• National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC):  For Family Child Care Programs
• National Child Care Information Center
• Zero to Three
• Resources for Early Learning 
  Provides exciting, engaging media-rich learning opportunities for educators, parents, and caregivers of children.
• Brain Building for Child Care Programs
• Car Seat Safety
  Here you'll find what you need to know to keep your child safe when it comes to car seat safety.

Children with Special Needs:

• Autism Resource Center of Central MA
• Early Intervention in Massachusetts Search for EI Services by city/town
• Federation for Children with Special Needs
• SPED Child and Teen Disability Events
• Email Special Needs Flexible Funding Request - Program is for temporary funding to support a child with special needs with staff training, equipment or the cost of hiring a one-on-one aid
• Massachusetts Act Early Educational Guide about healthy childhood development

CPR & First Aid Training

Red Cross of Central MA

Infant and Early Child Care Mental Health Resources and Services Guide for Early Education and Care Professionals

The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) in partnership with the Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI) and Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) have jointly developed an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Resources and Services Guide for early education and care professionals.  This guide provides basic information on infant and early childhood mental health and includes descriptions of services and supports for families with young children, as well as resources that can benefit both center-based and family child care providers of early education and care.  To engage families in conversations about their children’s social and emotional development, the guide also offers suggestions about ways to discuss children's health social emotional development with children and to how to work in partnership with families when concerns arise.  Also included in the guide is a discussion of self-care and suggestions for how programs can support educators. Click the links below to download resources related to Early Childhood Mental Health:

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Resources and Services Guide

Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI)

Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program & Social-emotional Development Resources

Nutrition and Health Related Resources:

• The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
• Yours for Children Food Program
• Provider Resources, Inc.
• Clarendon Family Daycare, Inc.

Coming Soon

• Provider Information Form or PIF is going to be a NEW OPPORTUNITY for your childcare program

We list your licensed or licensed exempt program in Child Care Resources’ Work Life Systems database to help families who need childcare find you. EEC also uses this information for their online Child Care listing. You will be able to make sure the information we give to families about your program is up to date including rates and openings. To access your provider profile you will need to be set up with a username and password.

Drop Box Information

Springfield Area Location: Use the parking lot located between Central Street and Westfield Street (Rte 20). Continue down walkway between Walgreens and the Police Station towards back entrance of 95 Elm Street.  The labeled drop box is located to the right of the blue awning and is attached to the building.

Greater Worcester and North Central Locations: A labeled drop box is located next to the entrance of the building.  Please notify us when you are putting documents in the drop box.