All providers accepting Working Connections Child Care subsidies are required to track attendance using an electronic attendance system.
This applies to child care centers, family home child care providers, and Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) providers.
Providers have the option to use DCYF’s (formerly DEL) Electronic Attendance System or another DCYF-approved attendance system.
DCYF’s electronic attendance system is free for providers to use. Training on the system is available in multiple languages and delivery methods across the state.
If you are using your own approved attendance system, please send your name, SSPS Number, and the name of the system you are using to electronic.attendance@dcyf.wa.gov.
Attendance Project Goals
Tracking attendance of children participating in Washington’s child care subsidy program is currently done on paper forms, creating a complicated and confusing process for families, providers and the state. It can also result in incorrect payments to providers. In response to state audits regarding billing accuracy, DCYF has implemented an improved attendance system.
The goals of the new electronic attendance requirements are to:
- Replace the manual paper attendance system used by most providers with a modern, off-the-shelf, cloud-based software.
- Reduce the amount of time that providers and State workers spend tabulating attendance hours.
- Reduce billing inaccuracies and overpayments with internal controls over child care payments.
- Implement the new system in a manner that supports providers’ different comfort levels with technology.