Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy
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Subsidy Payment Authorization Details for Current Best Starts Subsidy Families and Providers
Portal Login and SPA Signing Instructions
These PowerPoint slides provide instructions for currently enrolled Best Starts for Kids families and providers on how to log into their Family and Provider Portal accounts and sign the Subsidy Payment Authorization from within the portal. Please review these steps to access, manage, and complete necessary actions in your portal account.
SPA Translations
These translated versions of the Subsidy Payment Authorization form are for reference — families and providers must sign the official form in the portal, but they can use these documents to understand the terms before signing.
For Providers -
How to Complete the Payment Request Form
How to View Payment History in the Portal
How to View and Sign the Subsidy Payment Authorization
Need a form? Check the links below.
For families or child care providers to report Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy payments which have not yet been received.
To be completed by families or families with the assistance of a Best Starts Subsidy Family Support Navigator when the family wishes to change child care provider. This includes attending a different site within the same agency. A minimum of two weeks notice must be given.
To be completed by families or families with the assistance of a Best Starts Subsidy Family Support Navigator. Families may request to change their amount of approved care within the following categories: part-time (0-19 hours per week), full-time (20-50 hours per week), and extended care (more than 50 hours per week). Requests for extended care for children of any age require supporting documentation. Requests for full time care for school-age children also require supporting documentation. A minimum of two weeks notice must be given.
This form is for families enrolled in the Best Starts for Kids Subsidy program who plan to have their child attend a different child care provider during a school break in the 2024-2025 school year.
- When to Use This Form:
Fill out this form if your child will attend a different provider (not their regular provider) during the school break. You must submit the form at least two weeks before the requested change.
- When You Don’t Need This Form:
If your child is staying with their regular provider for the school break, you do not need to fill out this form. Their care will automatically switch to Full-Time (FT) during the break
To be completed by families or families with the assistance of a Best Starts Subsidy Family Support Navigator. This form is for families currently enrolled who wish to add a child. This option is limited to children less than 12 months of age and on case by case approval for unique circumstances such as, gaining new custody of a child not previously part of the family’s household, or children with medical, behavioral, or developmental needs. Families must give at least two weeks notice of the requested addition.
To be completed by families or with the assistance of a Best Starts Subsidy Family Support Navigator when requesting to pause their subsidy for more than 30 days, up to a maximum of 60 days. The form must specify the reason and duration of the pause, and must be submitted at least two weeks in advance. Families may only request two pauses in care per year. Pauses longer than 60 days require an approved exemption request or will result in the family moving to the waitlist.
Families and Providers may request a statement of Best Starts Subsidy payments made by BrightSpark. Families may request a copy of all or a segment of payments made on their child’s behalf. Providers may request a statement of all, or a segment, of payments made to their child care program.
Providers may request a re-send of their 1099 form from BrightSpark Early Learning Services. This will contain any Best Starts Subsidy payments made by BrightSpark issued in 2024.
Providers may also email ccrvendors@childcare.org to request a resend of the electronic copy from Track1099, request a blank W-9 to update their information, or request a copy of their 1099 from 2023.
Providers seeking a 1099 from Scholar Fund for previous years (2022 or 2023) should email bsk@scholarfundwa.org.
Families and providers can complete this form to consent to receiving Best Starts for Kids Subsidy program-wide text messages, ensuring they stay informed about important updates and announcements. Your contact information remains private, and you can still engage in individualized text communication with the Best Starts Subsidy program without needing to sign up separately.