Smart Start Workforce Grants

Program Requirements:

• Licensed by DCFS as a child care center, child care home, or group child care home
• Licensed, open, and caring for children a month before July 1
• Operates as a full-day and full-year program: offering 8 consecutive hours of care per day, five days per week, 47 weeks per year

Class Requirements:

For Centers:

• Infant and toddler classrooms must have at least 4 children
• 2-year-old classrooms must have at least 8 children
• 3- to 5-year-old classrooms must have at least 12 children

For Home-Based Programs:

• Must have at least 4 children

CCAP Requirements:

For Centers:

• At least 15% of the program’s capacity is enrolled and funded by CCAP

For Homes:

• Caring for at least 1 child enrolled and funded by CCAP

For Group Homes:

• Caring for 2 children enrolled and funded by CCAP