Families must pick a licensed provider who meets state requirements. The provider must also agree to accept the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy. Families should check with their provider before applying.  

If you need help finding child care options, you can contact the Child Care Resources Family Call Center at 1-800-446-1114 to speak with a specialist. You can also search for licensed child care providers on the Child Care Check website. 

Families can get free translation or interpretation services at any time. Contact the Best Starts Subsidy Team at (206) 208-6865 or support@bskchildcare.org for help in your preferred language. 

Payments are usually issued in the last two weeks of the month of care or the first full week of the following month. Providers must submit attendance information each month before payments can be processed. Families are responsible for any remaining tuition balance not covered by the subsidy.

The subsidy may cover additional fees only if the monthly subsidy payment is higher than the provider’s tuition charge for that child. If there is extra subsidy money after covering tuition, the provider must apply it to unpaid fees or balances from that same month. Any extra funds must be used for that child within the same month of care. If the subsidy payment is equal to or less than tuition, this policy does not apply. The subsidy will not increase to cover additional fees or charges. 

If the subsidy does not fully cover tuition, the provider can bill the family for the remaining balance. Families must pay any costs not covered by the subsidy unless they make other arrangements with the provider. 

Providers do not refund extra subsidy funds to families. However, they must ensure the family’s balance is $0 before using extra funds for other purposes. 

You’ll receive the authorization form online through your Family Portal. Follow the instructions below to view and sign electronically. If you need help, contact the Best Starts Subsidy Team or visit the Best Starts Subsidy Document Hub for instructional guides and additional resources.

If you need to make changes to your subsidy, such as switching providers or updating the amount of authorized care, you can submit a request using the appropriate form available in the BridgeCare Family Portal. More info is available on the Best Starts Subsidy Document Hub. You can also reach out to our support team at support@bskchildcare.org or call (206) 208-6865 for assistance.

Please give two weeks notice when submitting change requests.

If your school-age child stays with their regular provider during a school break (excluding summer break), care will automatically adjust to full-time—no request needed.

If your child needs to attend a different provider during a school break, submit the Change Request Form (available in the BridgeCare Family Portal) at least two weeks before the break starts to ensure coverage.

For summer break, increases to full-time care are not automatic and must be requested using the specified form during spring/summer each year. Please submit summer change requests at least two weeks in advance.

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. 

Sometimes. If you qualify for Working Connections Child Care (WCCC), Head Start, or ECEAP, you will usually need to use those programs before Best Starts Subsidy. You cannot use Best Starts Subsidy at the same time as Seattle’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) or child care subsidies funded by Seattle Parks and Recreation through the Associated Recreation Council (ARC). If you qualify for one of these programs, you must choose which subsidy to use.

Review the PDF below or visit our Program Terms and Conditions webpage to learn more about how Best Starts Subsidy works with other child care subsidy programs.

In late July or August, Best Starts Subsidy will email families to ask for updates on children entering school. This transition from preschool to school-age affects both the amount of care and subsidy rates. We will provide instructions on how to report this change.

Children moving from Preschool to School-Age will automatically default to part-time care since they will need fewer care hours. If your family needs additional care hours, submit a request using the Change Request Form in the Family Portal. 

Please report this change at least two weeks before your child starts school.