For providers & early educators

You do essential work. The coalition backs you up.

Owen County's early educators make everything else possible — parents' jobs, kids' school readiness, the county's future workforce. Here's what's available to help you go further.

Earn your CDAAsk the coalition a question

Move up in Paths to QUALITY

Paths to QUALITY is Indiana's free, voluntary rating system for child care programs, with four levels. Moving up brings real benefits, starting with a cash award for licensed homes and licensed centers when you reach each level:

  1. Level 1

    Health & safety

    Homes
    $50
    Centers
    $50

  2. Level 2

    Learning environment

    Homes
    $300
    Centers
    $1,000

  3. Level 3

    Curriculum & staff training

    Homes
    $300
    Centers
    $1,000

  4. Level 4

    National accreditation

    Homes
    $500
    Centers
    $1,500
  • Higher CCDF payment ratesPrograms at higher levels are paid higher CCDF rates.
  • Unannounced visits to keep a levelSince October 2025, Level 2 and 3 programs keeping their level get an unannounced visit during the quarter their rating expires, on a two-year cycle. Level 4 ratings follow your accreditation dates.

To enroll:

  1. Take the "Introduction to Paths to QUALITY" training

    In Indiana Learning Paths, inside I-LEAD.

  2. Then email the state

    QualitySupport@fssa.in.gov

Grow your program with Paths to QUALITY(opens in new tab)Awards and payment rates(opens in new tab)

Free help from the state

OECOSL Child Care Support Team

The state's team offers free help for child care programs.

Help paying for your own children’s care

If you work full-time in a licensed or regulated child care program (or part-time while studying early childhood education), your household can qualify for CCDF child care vouchers with a higher income limit than most families get:

  • Income limit

    85%

    Your household can earn up to 85% of Indiana's state median income and still qualify.

  • Set aside in 2026

    200

    vouchers the 2026 voucher rollout set aside for children of child care workers, a priority group on the state waitlist.

Your family still applies through Early Ed Connect, and your employer confirms that you work in child care. For the current steps, ask your director or call the state at (800) 299-1627.

Limits to know

  • At a center or ministryYou can't be your own child's primary caregiver or work in the same room as your child.
  • At a licensed homeYou can't work in the home your child attends.
Apply through Early Ed Connect(opens in new tab)

Earn your CDA credential

How to earn your CDAThe Child Development Associate (CDA) is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education. If you work 20 or more hours a week in a licensed or registered Indiana program, Indiana AEYC can cover the full cost of earning it.

Rule changes to know

A summary of recent state changes. The details are on FSSA's legislative and rule changes page(opens in new tab).

  1. Jul 1, 2025

    CPR and first aid within 90 days

    Every provider must make sure staff and volunteers are trained in pediatric CPR and pediatric first aid within 90 days of starting.

    • Centers
    • Homes
    • Ministries
    • License-exempt programs

  2. Dec 1, 2025

    New child-to-staff ratios for centers

    A new ratio chart took effect for licensed centers and license-exempt programs that accept CCDF vouchers. It does not apply to child care homes.

    See FSSA's ratio chart (PDF)(opens in new tab)

  3. Jul 1, 2026

    Homeowners associations and home child care

    A 2026 law (HEA 1152, effective July 1, 2026) says a homeowners association may not prohibit or restrict child care by a Class I licensed child care home (or certain license-exempt home care) in a detached single-family home the provider lives in. It applies to HOA rules adopted or changed after June 30, 2026, and not to 55-and-older communities.

    This is a summary of the law, not legal advice.

    If your HOA objects, talk to an attorney.

  4. Proposed

    Proposed rules: nothing has changed yet

    FSSA has proposed new rules for centers, homes and registered ministries. For centers, they would lower the minimum qualification for lead caregivers to a high school diploma, with no CDA required. The dates below may change. The rules are not final yet.

    • Public hearings held October 2, 2026
    • Anticipated adoption around October 9
    • Anticipated effective date January 1, 2027

Also in effect

  • Mixed-age infant and toddler roomsLicensed centers may group children from 6 weeks to 36 months in one classroom, at a ratio of 1 staff to 5 children and a maximum group of 12.

Grants and funding

No open state startup grant for new providers right now

The state's most recent grant, for school-age programs, closed February 13, 2026. Grant programs open and close, so check FSSA's grant page and ask Nicole about current opportunities.

FSSA's grant page(opens in new tab)Ask Nicole

Become a substitute educator

Local programs need qualified subs. If you'd like to work with young children on a flexible schedule, let us know you're interested and we'll connect you with programs that need help.

What it takes

  • 18 or older
  • High school diploma or equivalencyCurrently required in licensed centers. No college degree needed.
  • Fingerprint background checkSee the state's background check requirements(opens in new tab).
  • Pediatric CPR and first aidTraining within 90 days of starting.

The program that hires you will walk you through it.

Tell us you're interested

Questions about training, credentials, or grants?

Tell us where you are and what you're working toward — a real person will help you find the right next step and the support to get there.

Contact the coalition

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