QUALITYstarsNY is pleased to announce that New York State is now offering an enhanced Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) rate for early childhood programs actively participating in QUALITYstarsNY, New York State’s Quality Rating & Improvement System.
OCFS made the announcement that as of December 24, 2025, districts may choose to pay for one or more of the enhanced payment rates for child care services provided by licensed or registered child care providers that:
- Demonstrate high-quality standards through having been accredited by a nationally recognized child care organization or other entity as determined by OCFS; and/or
- Actively participate in the OCFS Non-Patient Specific Auto-Injector Initiative; and/or
- Actively participate in New York’s Quality Rating & Improvement System, QUALITYstarsNY.
QUALITYstarsNY is excited that this financial incentive will be made available to programs engaging in continuous quality improvement. This policy acknowledges the hard work and commitment it takes to create and sustain a high-quality early childhood program.
Eligibility for CCAP Enhanced Rate for QUALITYstarsNY participation
To be eligible for the enhanced rate for QUALITYstarsNY participation, a program must:
- Have earned their first Provisional Rating.
- Remain in good standing by engaging in the rating and continuous quality improvement processes. The requirements for active engagement are outlined in the QUALITYstarsNY Participant Agreement.
- Programs that pause their participation will not be eligible for the duration that their participation is paused, but will become eligible again once they resume participation.
