Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy
Enrollment & Reauthorization Hub
This page walks you through what you need to know to apply or reapply for the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy.
Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy prioritizes families:
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Who are not eligible for other child care subsidies (like WCCC)
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Who are just above the income limits for public subsidies
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Or who are not well served by existing programs
To be eligible for the Best Starts Child Care Subsidy Program, families must meet the following criteria:
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Reside in King County
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Have a gross household income that falls below 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) (click here to see income limits)
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Have one or more children age 12 or under
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Choose a licensed child care provider
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Be ineligible for WCCC subsidy or not well served by existing programs
Learn more, including Best Starts for Kids Subsidy income limits, by clicking the links in the flyers below!
New families: Our waitlist is now open and you must first join the waitlist to be considered for the program. Families will be invited off the waitlist to complete the enrollment application. If you are selected to apply, you will receive an email with instructions. Applications are by invitation only.
Current families: If you’re already enrolled and want to continue receiving the subsidy, you’ll need to reapply as part of the reauthorization process before the end of your current authorization period. Applications are completed in the Family Portal.
If you’re new to the program, you will receive an invitation email when space becomes available.
You will have 14 days from the date of the email to complete your application.
Your specific deadline will be listed in the email.
How to Apply or Reapply
All families apply through the Family Portal. The application includes uploading documents that show you meet eligibility requirements.
- Family Portal Log-In
Once you’ve submitted everything, the Best Starts Subsidy Team will review your application and follow up. Families can expect to hear back within a few weeks (for new applications).
If you’re already receiving the subsidy, you’ll need to reapply to stay enrolled. This happens every 6 or 12 months depending on how long you were authorized for.
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You’ll get an email and a text (if opted in) at least 60 days before your current subsidy period ends.
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You’ll have 14 days to complete the reauthorization application.
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The deadline will be clearly listed in your email.
Important: Submit your application by the deadline to avoid delays or disruptions in your payments.
How to Apply or Reapply
All families apply through the Family Portal. The application includes uploading documents that show you meet eligibility requirements.
- Family Portal Log-In
Once you’ve submitted everything, the Best Starts Subsidy Team will review your application and follow up. Families can expect to hear back at least 2 weeks before their current subsidy ends (for reauthorizations).
Go to the Family Portal to Apply!
To apply, you’ll need to upload documents showing that your family qualifies.
We need to check your income to see if you qualify for the subsidy and to help decide how much support your family can get. Here’s what you need to know about this part of the application:
You’ll need to report income for up to two (2) adults in your home. This includes you as well as your spouse or significant other who is the parent of your child.
To help us review your application quickly, please make sure the documents you send meet these rules:
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Complete Information: Documents must be clear and show the name of the person they belong to.
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Dates Included: Documents must show the dates they cover.
To qualify, a family’s gross household income must fall at or below 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) (click here to see income limits) based on the household size.
Applicants will need to tell us where their household income comes from and upload a document for each income source. Every source of income must be listed and have a matching document.
(Submit one of these options)
- Pay stubs showing gross income from your previous two (2) full months
- Employer letter (only when starting a new job) –must be on letterhead, include the start date, hours worked, wage and dated from the last 60 days
- Complete Declaration of Self-Employment Income within application
- Complete Declaration of Self-Employment Income within application
- Monthly statements for last three (3) months of income
(Submit any applicable)
- Financial aid – Award letter & tuition statement
- Work study- Award letter or supervisor letter including hours/wage
(Submit any applicable)
- Child support received – complete Declaration of Child Support Received within application
- Rental income- Schedule E tax document from most recent tax year
- Other income–last two (2) months of statements
- Complete Declaration of Self-Employment Income within application
- Other documentation based on category of income below:
I am an independent contractor or I own the business
Submit one (1) of the following:
- Tax Form 1040, Schedule 1, and Schedule C or EZ (submit all three forms)
OR
- Profit and Loss Statement for last three (3) months
My business is an LLC and/or an S-Corp
Submit one (1) of the following:
- If owner: Tax Form 1040, Schedule 1, and Schedule C or EZ (submit all three forms)
- If partner: Tax Form 1040, Schedule 1, Form 1065, and Schedule K-1 (submit all four forms);
OR
- If owner or partner: Profit and Loss Statement for last three (3) months
My business is a general partnership
Submit one (1) of the following:
- Tax Form 1040, Schedule 1, Form 1065, and Schedule K-1 (submit all four forms)
OR
- Profit and Loss Statement for last (3) months
- Complete Attestation of No Income (found within application)
- TANF award
- Housing vouchers
- SNAP/other food benefits
- Best Starts for Kids Child Care Wage Boost Pilot payments
Not sure how many paystubs to submit?
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Paid weekly?
Submit 8 paystubs
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Paid every two weeks?
Submit 4-5 paystubs
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Paid bi-monthly?
Submit 4 paystubs
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Paid monthly?
Submit 2 paystubs
Best Starts for Kids is funded by King County and serves families who live in King County. Living in King County is a requirement to qualify for the subsidy.
Each document must show a parent/guardian’s full name and be dated within three months of when you submit your application. You can choose from two options:
Applicants can provide ONE document from List A or TWO documents from List B.
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Choose ONE document from this list:
Mortgage statement
Signed rental lease (current)
Any utility bill (gas, water/garbage, electricity, internet)
Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance statement
Housing agency letter (current)
Rental receipt
Washington State Address Confidentiality Program card
Attestation of Homelessness (found within application)
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Choose TWO documents from this list:
Insurance document (health, car, etc.)
Benefits document from the agency (DSHS, SSI, etc.)
Paystub from employer
Financial document (bank statement, retirement, credit card statement, etc.)
Other bills
Driver’s license Washington State Identification Card (non-expired)
Consulate card from any country
If you are experiencing homelessness, you will be asked to submit an Attestation of Homelessness statement in the application.
After the enrollment/reauthorization application is submitted, the Best Starts Subsidy Team will review the provided income documentation to make the final determination of total gross income.
Families at or below 60% of the state median income (SMI) will be required to submit a WCCC denial letter.
These specific families will receive an email letting them know they have an additional 14 days to submit this denial letter.
If you believe it is possible that the calculation of your family’s pre-tax income could fall at or close to 60% SMI, we highly encourage you to get a WCCC denial letter early. We suggest that all families estimating their gross income at 65% or less of the SMI should submit a WCCC denial letter.
If your family’s gross income is above 65% of the SMI, you will not be required to submit a WCCC denial letter.
How to Apply for Working Connections
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- Contact the Child Care Subsidy Contact Center: Call 1-844-626-8687 or visit www.WashingtonConnection.org to apply online.
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- Complete the Application: Be sure to provide all required information, including your child care provider’s name and phone number.
Application Process:
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- The parent/guardian must complete the WCCC application and verification process.
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- Apply by contacting the Child Care Subsidy Contact Center at 1-844-626-8687 or online at www.WashingtonConnection.org.
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- DCYF will review information to determine a family’s eligibility.
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Provide DCYF with the name and phone number of the child care provider.
Questions about WCCC?
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For questions call the DCYF Child Care Contact Center at 1-844-626-8687.
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More information on WCCC eligibility can be found online at www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/earlylearning-childcare/getting-help/wccc.
See below for how to then submit your letter to Best Starts Subsidy!
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Option 1: Fax Directly to Best Starts for Kids Subsidy
- Request WCCC to fax the denial letter.
- Fax number: (253) 295-2643
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Option 2: Have WCCC send the denial letter to you via postal mail and then…
- Upload directly to your application or portal space, or
- Send a photo or scanned version via text or email to the Best Starts Subsidy Team at support@bskchildcare.org.
Find more information about WCCC denial letter requirements by clicking on the flyer links below!
Not sure what comes next, or just need a few more details? Our FAQs cover all kinds of questions families have asked.
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If you’re new to the program, you will receive an invitation email when space becomes available.
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You will have 30 days from the date of the email to complete your application.
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The deadline is listed in the email.
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If you’re already receiving the subsidy, you’ll get an email and a text (if opted in) at least 60 days before your current subsidy period ends.
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You’ll have 30 days to complete the reauthorization application.
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The deadline will be clearly listed in your email.
Note: Your child care provider will also be informed to help remind you.
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Families can access the portal by visiting the “Family Portal Login Page” link below
When logging in, please use the email address associated with your account as your username.
- Family Portal Login
Email from Best Starts for Kids Subsidy: Families who need to apply or reapply will receive an email from support@bskchildcare.org with instructions on how to get to the portal and apply.
If you are a currently enrolled family and know you need to reapply for reauthorization but have not received an email from us (and it’s less than 60 days from the end of your authorization period)….
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Check Spam/Junk Folders: Sometimes emails can be filtered out of your main inbox.
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Contact Us: If you still cannot find the email and are a currently enrolled family, please reach out to our Best Starts Subsidy Team at 206-208-6865 or support@bskchildcare.org. Families struggling to log into the portal can get support from our team.
In the upper right-hand corner of the application screen (and throughout the portal), there is a small box labeled “English.” Hovering over or clicking on it allows families to change the language to Spanish.
For other languages, contact the Best Starts Subsidy Team at support@bskchildcare.org or (206) 208-6865. We offer free over-the-phone language services.
If you qualify for WCCC, you will be disenrolled from Best Starts Subsidy, and payments will stop once WCCC coverage begins. You and your provider will receive an email explaining the disenrollment. If WCCC does not cover all needed care hours, Best Starts Subsidy may supplement it on a case-by-case basis, pending approval.
Yes, as long as they are licensed by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
You can still apply! If approved, you will have up to 45 days to select a licensed provider. Care must begin within 60 days of receiving your award letter.
If you need help selecting a provider, you can call the Child Care Aware of Washington’s Family Call Center at 1-800-446-1114 for help finding child care options and support services. You can also visit the Child Care Check website for additional resources.
Applicants can upload documents directly while completing the application—the system will prompt families to submit documents as needed. If additional documents need to be uploaded after submission:
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Families can log into the portal again, click on the button that says “Upload Documents” and add additional documents. Please DO NOT try to submit a second application.
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Families can contact the Best Starts Subsidy Team at 206-208-6865 or support@bskchildcare.org for help.
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WCCC denial letters can also be faxed directly to us at (253) 295-2643.
If a family’s income fluctuates significantly from pay period to pay period, they may choose to submit three (3) months of pay stubs to give a more accurate representation of their income. In these circumstances, please also leave a note in the CASH INCOME/NO INCOME section to explain the difference.
Employment Verification Letter: A letter from the employer is required, outlining the details of the income change.
This letter should include:
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The current and future pay rates.
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The date the income change will take effect.
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The reason for the income change (e.g., reduction in hours, demotion, etc.).
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Contact information for the employer, in case further verification is needed.
After successfully submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email from us. The application should also show as submitted in your portal dashboard.
Your reauthorization will be denied, and you will be exited from the program.
Let us know your preferred last day of care covered by Best Starts Subsidy. If you don’t provide a date, Best Starts Subsidy will cover care until the end of your current authorization period before exiting you from the program.
Families will receive an email with an Award Letter offer for each child that outlines the child’s subsidy details for the next reauthorization cycle.
If you have a provider already selected, that provider will also receive a copy of the subsidy award details.
Read your award letter carefully, including terms and conditions.
If your child is no longer attending the same provider, notify the Best Starts Subsidy Team in the portal. There is a two-week notice period to change providers.
If your child is newly enrolled, notify us of your chosen provider within 45 days. You can use the provider selection option in the Family Portal. Care must begin within 60 days of receiving your award letter.
Then, sign the Subsidy Payment Authorization (SPA) form in the Family Portal (providers are also required to sign).
Once these steps are done, your child will be set to receive subsidy with the selected provider. The provider will submit monthly attendance forms in order to receive payment.
Best Starts for Kids Subsidy covers a set amount determined during reauthorization, based on factors such as household size, income, child’s age, care type, and hours of care. Families and providers need to agree on how to handle any difference between the subsidy amount and the provider’s charges. The provider may charge the family the difference, waive part of it, or waive all of it.
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BrightSpark Early Learning Services: Visit BrightSpark for child care resources and financial assistance programs.
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Child Care Resources Family Call Center: Call 1-800-446-1114 for help finding child care options and support services.
Except in rare circumstances, no. Families cannot use both the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy and WCCC simultaneously. To maximize your benefits:
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General Guidance: At reauthorization, all families whose family income is determined to be at or below 60% SMI (State Median Income) must apply for WCCC subsidy benefits. In almost all cases, approval for WCCC subsidy means that the family is no longer eligible for Best Starts for Kids Subsidy support.
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Supplementing Coverage: If WCCC does not cover all the hours needed, families may request to use the Best Starts for Kids Subsidy to supplement the subsidy authorized by WCCC. Approval by the Best Starts for Kids Subsidy program for continued use of Best Starts Subsidy is on a case-by-case basis.
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Co-Pay Costs: The Best Starts Subsidy cannot be used to pay WCCC co-pays.
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Head Start and ECEAP: If your child qualifies for Head Start or ECEAP, these programs take priority over the Best Starts for Kids Subsidy. You must first use the subsidy provided by Head Start or ECEAP. If these programs do not cover all the care hours you need, the Best Starts for Kids Subsidy can supplement them on a case-by-case basis. Best Starts Subsidy does not cover co-pay costs. This circumstance requires an exception request be submitted by the family. This will be reviewed, and approved or denied, by the Best Starts for Kids Subsidy Lead Team.
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City of Seattle Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP): Families and child care providers are required to notify us if a child is accepted for CCAP subsidy support. You cannot use the CCAP and Best Starts for Kids Subsidy at the same time. Families must choose one program to use and notify Best Starts Subsidy Program of their choice
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All Other Private and Municipal Subsidies: The Best Starts for Kids Subsidy can be used with other private or municipal subsidies, provided that the other subsidy allows it. In these cases, Best Starts for Kids will be the primary funding source, and other subsidies may supplement the funding. Families and providers must notify Best Starts for Kids at least one day before the other subsidies become effective, with a preference for two weeks’ notice. Providers are required to notify and verify with Best Starts for Kids when they are receiving other funding.
If you have a safety concern about applying for WCCC, please contact a member of the Best Starts Subsidy Team for support. We can help address any safety concerns related to your application and explain your options. You can reach out to our team at (206) 208-6865 or support@bskchildcare.org.
For children aged 13-19 with a disability, the family must:
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Provider Requirements: Providers caring for children older than 12 years, must have a license which has been extended to at least the age of the child with special needs who is in their care. The licensing regulations [WAC 110-300-0300, –0355, -0356] stipulate that permission must be granted for each older child with special needs.
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Evidence Needed: Families must submit evidence that the provider has been granted permission by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to care for the child. This must include documentation from the licensor approving the special needs accommodation and that the license includes authorization to care for children through at least the age of the particular child.
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Application Process: When applying for reauthorization, list children in this age group on the enrollment page of the application, even though they are over 12 years old. Please note the over 12, special needs request in the comments portion of the child care needs schedule for this child.
If you have any questions or need further clarification, please reach out to the FAS Team for support at (206) 208-6865 or support@bskchildcare.org.
Need Help?
Our team is here to support you throughout the application process.
📧 Contact us at support@bskchildcare.org
📞 Call/text us at (206) 208-6865
📲 Sign up for text updates when you log into your portal
