Child Care

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Information for child care providers

License Exempt Child Care Provider Requirements

Important Information for license exempt child care providers:

Federal law require a yearly inspection and additional training of all license exempt child care providers listed with the Department of Human Services (DHS), who provide care for a child receiving child care assistance. New providers will receive pre-service and a yearly review visit from Oregon’s Early Learning Division Office of Child Care. Ongoing providers currently listed with DHS will receive annual visits starting in the fall.

Get more information about these changes.

License exempt means you are not required to be licensed by the State of Oregon to provide child care. See information about who needs to be licensed. Are you a relative of the child? If you are a relative and the only child you provide care for is related to you (grandparent, great-grandparent, aunt or uncle or a sibling living outside the home) you will not receive the inspection visit.

Overview of how Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) works

ERDC helps eligible low-income parents pay for child care so they can work. If the parent is eligible for assistance, DHS will pay a portion of their child care bill directly to the family's chosen provider through the Direct Pay Unit (DPU) in Salem. Providers must complete a child care provider listing to find out if they can become listed with DHS, and must meet DHS requirements, including passing a background check.

Beginning January 2017, background checks will include the following components:

  • A Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint check using the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System; 
  • A search of the state criminal and sex offender registry or repository in the state where the individual resides, and each state where the individual resided during the preceding 5 years; 
  • A search of state-based child abuse and neglect registries and databases in the State where the individual resides, and each State where the individual resided during the preceding 5 years; 
  • A search of the National Crime Information Center; 
  • A search of the National Sex Offender Registry established under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16901 et seq.).​

The amount DHS will pay is based on the family's income, type of child care and how many hours of care are needed.

Most parents are also required to pay a portion of the cost, called the copay, directly to the provider. The copay amount is determined according to a sliding fee scale, based on family income and household size. Parents must pay their copay or make other arrangements with the provider in order to remain eligible for assistance.

Child Care Provider Training

For information about orientation, health and safety training and additional training resources see the provider training page.

If you are interested in becoming a child care provider

To be able to receive ERDC payments from the Department of Human Services, providers must:

Provider Tools and Resources

Category
  
Name
  
Description
Abuse reportingReport Child Abuse and Neglect
List of reporting phone numbers to report child abuse and neglect.
Abuse reportingMandatory reporters
What is mandatory reporting and who must report?
Child Care Resource & Referral AgenciesChild Care Resource and Referral Agencies
A link to listing of local CCR&Rs by county. CCR&Rs help providers by giving technical assistance and provider training.
Forms and GuidesChild Care Provider Guide
Our handbook for providers who serve ERDC clients, with loads of information on how to get started, the payment process, and more. Also available in:
Forms and GuidesChild Care Provider Listing Form
This form must be completed and submitted by providers that want to be paid by DHS to provide child care for DHS clients. Please note the effective date for DHS payment cannot be earlier than the date you complete the listing process and are approved by DHS. Also available in Spanish.

 

Forms and GuidesProvider Report Form DHS 7496

This form can be used to report required provider changes. you may also report changes by calling DPU at 1-800-699-9074 or by email at DPU.providerreporting@state.or.us

Forms and GuidesDHS/OHA Administrative Hearings Request Form MSC 0443

​This form can be used to request a DHS/OHA Administrative Hearing.​

PartnersOregon Child Care Research Partnership (OCCRP)
The Oregon Child Care Research Partnership, housed within the Family Policy Program at Oregon State University, conducts research related to child care policy at the local and state levels. OCCRP conducts the Market Rate study upon which DHS child care subsidy rates are based.
PartnersNational Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center (NCCIC)
The NCCIC, a service of the Child Care Bureau, is a national clearinghouse and technical assistance (TA) center that provides comprehensive child care information resources and TA services to Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Administrators and other key stakeholders.
PartnersOregon Association for the Education of Young Children (OAEYC)
Oregon AEYC is an affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and serves over 1300 early childhood professionals in the state of Oregon. OAEYC works to support excellent early education, promote public support and policies, build the profession, and improve teaching and learning.
Partners211 Info
211 Info partners with DHS to help people navigate and connect with the local resources. They help parents find the child care provider they need to meet their family’s needs.
Rates & reimbursementsChild care rates
The maximum amounts we can pay providers who help DHS clients with child care.
Rates & reimbursementsEnhanced, special and high needs rates
About special provider rates are and how to qualify for and become an enhanced, special or high needs provider.
Rates & reimbursementsFood service education and reimbursement
About food handling, nutrition education, and getting USDA reimbursements.
Rates & reimbursementsSpark Provider Incentive Payment
​About provider incentive payments for Spark providers.
State LicensingOffice of Child Care (OCC) of the Department of Education
OCC is the regulatory agency that licenses child care facilities and conducts background checks on licensed providers. Their website is also a great resource, with a wealth of information and resources for parents, providers, and those interested in child care issues.
TrainingChild Care Provider Training
For information about orientation, health and safety training and additional training resources.
Union RepresentationThe American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
AFSCME Council 75 represents family child care providers who are licensed with the Office of Child Care, a member of the Department of Education. 800-521-5954
Union RepresentationThe Service Employees International Union Local 503 (SEIU)
SEIU Local 503 represents family child care providers who are exempt from licensing. Providers that are exempt from licensing are also referred to as Family, Friends, and Neighbor providers (FFN). 877-451-0002