Frequently Asked Questions

Posting spaces is easy! Just go to "spaces" on your dashboard" and click add space. Label it by age group and make it live. You can turn them off and on whenever you like. Make sure to make them inactive if you do not want them to come up in a search.

You will be asked to upload a shortened version of your handbook. Please include important things like drop off/pick up times, nut free or what they should bring etc. The family will attest to these upon submitting a request for a space at your program. If they are not following your policies, you can decide not to accept them back into your program. Please let us know if you are having challenges and we will have a discussion with the Guardian about ways to address your concerns. We want this to be a valuable experience for both families and providers.

When a parent makes a request to book a space in your program, you will be sent their forms to review and decide if it is a good fit before approving the space. You can deny a child if you feel like you can not support them due to allergies or special needs etc. Or if you have a teacher out sick or going on a field trip etc. Please respond asap to the families request so they can look elsewhere. Notate in the provided box while you are denying them as we would like to track denials, keep them to a minimum, while at the same time making sure you are being supported.

A provider will receive payments once a month, for both subsidy and private pay families. You will submit your total hours by the 5th of each month and receive a check from us within 30 days. A provider is paid the DCYF region 3 rate for each age group. If a parent cancels or does not show up to their space you will still get paid. If you, the provider, cancels the space you will not get paid.

While this platform began as drop-in specific, providers are now able to list their permanent openings. If you are in need of long-term care, you can use the drop-in spaces and subsidies as a stepping stone until you secure a permanent spot.

If you see a space, you can book it! Providers may list spaces for several months out or just by the week. It is best to check back regularly to see what is available. If there is a day you need that you can't find a space, reach out to us via email or phone number found at the bottom of the site.

You can book a day, a week or even a month of drop-in care depending on your situation. You will need to submit a request each day you need care. If your request is lengthy or complicated just shoot us an email and we can help get it on the books for you. We want to be there if you just need a day here, or you are looking for permanent care, but we need time to make it happen so let us know as soon as you need a day of childcare.

We currently do not have any providers that offer transportation, but we hope to add some in the near future for all major locations of the county.

Yes, we have a few providers that provide both of these services. There are only a few and currently only in Ferndale.

Each provider will have a Policy and Procedures page that you will read and agree to that will include their drop off/pick ups times, meals and other standard policies to be part of their community. Please make sure to follow these!

Childcare is provided by licensed childcare centers and licensed in-home daycare providers across Whatcom County, including Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, and surrounding areas. In the future, we will be expanding to include nannies, babysitters, and private caregivers who may not hold a childcare license, but will all be background checked. These providers can not accept subsidies but offer additional options for families seeking flexible or evening childcare.

Currently we only have providers in Whatcom County. We plan to expand to other areas in the near future.

There are three required forms, and your child's immunizations, that all licensed childcare providers need you to fill out. The others are optional if they apply to your child. Forms only have to be filled out once and will be kept in your portal. Each time you make a request, your child's forms will be sent to them for review to make sure they are a good fit to support your child.

Required forms:

• Childcare Registration Form
• Permissions Form
• Getting to Know Your Child Form
• Either:
  • Certificate of Immunization (if your child receives vaccinations), or
  • Certificate of Exemption (if your child has a medical, religious, or personal exemption)

Optional forms:

• Medication Authorization Form
• Individual Care Plan Form

Private-pay rates vary based on your child's age and whether you choose a childcare center or family-based in-home daycare.

Once a provider approves your space we will send you an invoice. You will make payment directly to Peace Centers through a payment link before your child attends the program. If you need to pay us a different way please contact us at 360-595-3391

Yes, we have special drop-in/emergency subsidies for families that qualify. The child must live in Whatcom County and be 5 or younger. If you don't qualify, private pay rates are $7-$10 an hour.

If you find a permanent space you will need to apply for a different subsidy like Working Connections Childcare subsidies https://dcyf.wa.gov/childcare.

You can automatically qualify for our special drop in subsidies if you are receiving any services from DSHS, are a foster parent or are in an emergency situation.

Please submit ONE of the following:

• Current eligibility documentation or communication from DSHS showing you receive any of the following services: Working Connections Child Care (WCCC), WIC, TANF, or SNAP. OR
• Complete and sign a DSHS authorization form allowing us to verify eligibility directly, request a form from us or is there going to be a link for this here? OR
• Documentation showing you are a foster parent. OR
• If you're not enrolled in DSHS but need emergency childcare assistance, provide a short written explanation or a referral from a social worker describing your situation.

Our goal is to ensure that no qualifying family is turned away from affordable childcare or emergency drop-in daycare.

Aside from our service and drop-in subsidy, if you want more information about applying for food, permanent childcare subsidies, or free preschools you can visit these sites:

• https://www.washingtonconnection.org/home/
• https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/earlylearning-childcare/eceap-headstart

Our ChildcareSpaces.com staff will notify you via email or phone when your childcare subsidy or financial assistance has been approved. Once approved, your subsidized childcare bookings will appear at the reduced rate when you log in.

Guardians: We have providers on the platform that serve 0-12 year olds. If you see a space available for your child you can book it! That being said, our special drop-in subsidies are only for residents of Whatcom County and children aged 0-5 years old (some 6-year-olds may qualify depending on need). Families outside Whatcom County are welcome to use ChildcareSpaces.com and private-pay for your childcare.

Providers: If you are a licensed center or in-home program you can use this to post your drop-in or permanent spaces. We will pay you monthly for the spaces you fill. If you fill a permanent spot you will no longer receive payments for that family through us. Post drop-in spaces you have available or if you have a child out sick or on vacation and/or permanent spaces you are trying to fill.

If you are a nanny, babysitter, before or aftercare program etc. with a valid background check, you are welcome to post your spaces. You will receive private pay payments directly from the family.

Once you submit a request the provider will accept or deny your request. It usually happens in less than 24 hours. If you are denied it could be for a lot of different reasons ranging from a teacher being out sick or unable to support your child's special needs. Feel free to submit a request for another provider. You may also request with the same provider in the future unless they notate they are not able to support your child for specific reasons.

You will receive an email confirmation from the provider approving your space. You will be able to see your reservation in your portal move from the "Waiting" tab to the "Upcoming" tab in your dashboard.

All children aged 12 months and older are required by Washington State to have the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine unless they have a valid Certificate of Exemption on file signed by a doctor.

Other than the MMR, you must provide one of the following for enrollment with any licensed childcare provider:

• A Certificate of Immunization (for vaccinated children), or
• A Certificate of Exemption (medical, religious, or personal).

Parents are responsible for keeping immunization records updated in their portal.