Monday Must Know — March 11

The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) will begin issuing payments this month for CCDF and On My Way Pre-K enrollment fees. These funds will be issued in multiple batches over the next several payment cycles. Payments will not be issued all at once.

This year's payment will increase to $200 per enrollment for all CCDF and On My Way Pre-K children enrolled between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023. This payment will be for both 2023 and 2024 enrollment fees ($400 total per child). This payment will be listed on the provider's regular check under "Provider Adjustments" and will be one lump sum for all children for both years.

Active providers that had CCDF or On My Way Pre-K children enrolled between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023 will receive this payment automatically. New providers that had vouchers that began after September 30, 2023 will receive their first payment in the spring of 2025.

Providers can apply these payments to any fees that are charged to families or other program costs. These payments will be included in the provider's 1099 Statement and included in their taxable income. 

For questions about enrollment fees, please contact oecoslproviderinquiry@fssa.in.gov.  

The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) is bringing a new business tool to early care and education (ECE) programs! Starting in spring 2024, providers can apply for the Child Care Management System (CCMS) program. 

OECOSL has identified three unique CCMS vendors: Alliance CORE powered by Early Learning Ventures, brightwheel, and Playground. Each of these vendors provide different features for providers' unique needs. This opportunity is FREE for up to two years for Indiana's ECE programs, with State pricing available for an additional two years. 

To learn about CCMS and explore frequently asked questions, visit the CCMS program webpage.

As the official technical assistance provider for CCMS, SPARK Learning Lab can support you with any questions you have. Contact SPARK via phone at 1-800-299-1627 or by emailing BusinessSupport@indianaSPARK.com. Follow SPARK Learning Lab on Facebook and Instagram for program updates. 

Learn About CCMS

Successfully opening, running and advancing a child care program can be a rewarding and sometimes challenging process. Get help with your program by attending a Child Care Provider Fair near you.

Child Care Provider Fairs allow you to interact with a variety of partner organizations that support child care providers in multiple ways, from regulatory needs to professional development for educators. We encourage all provider types to attend.

Mark your calendar for an upcoming provider fair near you: 

• April 13 from noon to 2 p.m. ET in Evansville 
• April 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET in Terre Haute 
• May 4 from 9 a.m. to noon ET in Notre Dame 

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) will be hosting family sessions on Tuesdays throughout March focused on supporting children's literacy skills development. All sessions are scheduled from 4 to 4:30 p.m. ET in the Indiana Learning Lab.

Encourage the families you serve to attend this upcoming series:  

• Tuesday | Foundational Literacy for Families: Early Communication — Register Here 
• March 19 | Foundational Literacy for Families: Early Reading — Register Here 
• March 26 | Foundational Literacy for Families: Early Writing — Register Here 

Contact IDOE's Office of Kindergarten Readiness with additional questions.  

The summit is an excellent opportunity for professional growth and networking, which offers fresh strategies to enrich youth programming. Explore the lineup of breakout sessions tailored to various interests. Remember to book your hotel room by this Wednesday for discounted rates.  

View SPARK Trainings