CHILD CARE PROVIDERS

CHILD CARE FORMS & DOCS

CONTACT INFORMATION

  • Kawerak, Inc.
    504 Seppala Drive
    P.O. Box 948
    Nome, AK 99762
  • 1st Floor Ublugiaq Building.
  • 907.443.4358
  • intake@kawerak.org

Are you interested in becoming a child care provider?

Kawerak Child Care Services can assist individuals, relatives and organizations who wish to provide child care in a center-based and group or family home environment.

Kawerak supports three provider options: Licensed Child Care Providers, Tribally Approved Relative Providers and Secondary Providers. Each have different requirements.

Child Care Provider Options

Center Based and Group Home Care

Care provided by a State Licensed Provider who is licensed by the State of Alaska Child Care Program Office. Center-Based Care may be provided for 13 or more children. Group Home Care may be provided for 12 or less children.

Family Home Child Care

One or more individuals caring for children in a private residence that are licensed by the State of Alaska Child Care Program Office. Care may be provided to no more than eight (8) children under the age of 13.

For more information on how to become licensed

Tribally Approved Relative Providers

A relative who provides care in their home or in the child(ren)s own home. Tribally Approved Relative Providers may care for no more than a total of five (5) children under the age of 13, including the provider’s own children. Approved relatives are Grandparents, Great Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and Siblings living in a separate residence.

Secondary Providers are utilized when Primary Providers are unavailable or closed. Secondary providers may care for child(ren) for up to 5 days per month. Secondary Provider must be vetted by either being State Licensed or a Tribally Approved Relative Provider.

Why Quality Child Care is Important

Having a variety of high-quality child care options for families to choose from, such as Tribally Approved Relative Provider care or State of Alaska Licensed Provider, has many positive outcomes for children, families and communities to name a few:

  • Regular Schedule and Activities – all young children benefit from a daily routine of eating, napping and playing along with a variety of age-appropriate activities promoting positive development.
  • School Readiness and Academic Achievement – research studies show that young children have higher cognitive and academic achievement scores as teens if they spent time in high-quality child care as young children.
  • Time with Peers – young children learn how to problem-solve, share and otherwise play and learn well together, while their minds are still growing and personalities still emerging.
  • Interaction with other Adults – child care provides an opportunity for children to see other adults as mentors and authority figures able to provide positive guidance.
  • Smoother Transition to Kindergarten – children who received high quality child care found it easier to adjust to their next educational setting.
  • Social and Economic Benefits for Parents – finding quality child care where children are supported, engaged, encouraged and exposed to a positive attitude enabled parents to participate fully in work education, job training and other financial goals.

NEW! Tribally Approved Relative Provider (TARP) Program!

  • Are age 18 or older
  • Be an Eligible Relative related by blood, marriage or court order-decree (great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and siblings living in a separate residence)
  • Pass a Tribally Approved Background Check

TARP providers are required to have orientation, training and site visits while approved through the program. Providers must:

  • Attend 6 hours of Provider Orientation within the first 3 months of becoming an approved provider
  • Attend 6 hours of Annual Training on topics relevant to health and safety, child care and childhood development
  • Site visit will be arranged with the provider at least once every 2 years or sooner if requested

  • Health and safety supplies are available, but not limited to, fire alarms and extinguisher, CO2 monitors, first aid kit, safe sleep items, etc. Funds for First Aid and CPR classes are also available.
  • Grants are available for quality improvement activities like, but not limited to, toys and materials, health and safety supplies and improvements, attend professional development trainings, become State Licensed, etc.

For more information on how to become a Tribally Approved Relative Provider, please see our video.

Tribally Approved Relative Provider Application Packet

Kawerak Provider Payment Rates

Effective 1/1/2023

Based on Enrollment Full-Time Care per child Part-Time Care per child
0-12 months $1,625 $975
13-36 months $1,525 $925
37 months-60 months $1,225 $725
61 months-144 months $1,225 $725
Based on Enrollment Full-Time Care per child Part-Time Care per child
0-12 months $1,325 $800
13-36 months $1,200 $750
37 months-60 months $1,025 $625
61 months-144 months $925 $575
 Age Full Time Daily Rate per child Part Time Daily Rate per child
0-144 months $60 $35

* Secondary & Tribally Approved Relative Providers: 1st and 2nd youngest child will be paid at the daily rate. 3rd child will be paid at 75% and 4th child at 50% of the daily rate.

**Kawerak Child Care Services will pay child care subsidy for up to 4 children only in Tribally Approved Relative Care.

***Care for children with a documented disability will be paid at the regular rate.

*Rates are subject to change

Quality Improvement Grants

Kawerak supports the increased quality and availability of Child Care and the development of Early Childcare Professionals. Our goal is to increase Professional Development, create Safe/Healthy Environments, and Culturally Based, High-Quality Care.

Quality Improvement Grants are available to Licensed or Tribally Approved Relative Providers in the Bering Strait region. Assistance is available up to the following amounts based on type of care provided and is contingent on the availability of funds.

  • $10,000 Tribally Approved Relative Providers
  • $20,000 Licenses Family or Group Home
  • $50,000 Center Based Care

Quality Improvement and Activities include, but not limited to:

  • Purchasing of age-appropriate toys, education and developmental materials, and supplies
  • Support for Training and Professional Development
  • Pursuing a State Child Care License
  • Making minor home, health and safety improvements, including supplies and equipment

Kawerak Child Care Services is committed to providing training and professional development opportunities to increase provider knowledge and competencies in caring for young children. Training opportunities may include attending early childhood conferences, webinars, teleconferences, receiving books and resource materials, attending college classes, or other early care and learning related opportunities.

Health and safety improvements ensure the safe care of young children. Improvements may include, but not limited to, repairing stairs/walkways for children’s access, providing child safe play areas, installing egress windows, floor covering, or other safety issues within children’s reach. Safety equipment may include, but not limited, to obtaining or replacing fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors, First Aid kits, Pediatric First Aid and CPR training, Emergency Preparedness supplies, safe sleep items such as mats, cribs, or sheets, or any other improvements meeting health and safety criteria.

Kawerak will purchase materials, supplies and equipment on behalf of the Provider. If home, health and safety improvements are requested, we will work with you to obtain quotes from contractors to do the work. Upon project completion, a follow up report will be required of the recipient.

Applications for Quality Improvement Grants: https://kawerak.org/download/quality-improvement-grant-application/

Assistance is available by contacting Kawerak Child Care Services who will assist you in completing your application.

Quality Improvement Grant

Provider Resources

Are you interested in becoming a child care provider?

Kawerak Child Care Services can assist individuals, relatives and organizations who wish to provide child care in a center-based and group or family home environment.

Kawerak supports three provider options: Licensed Child Care Providers, Tribally Approved Relative Providers and Secondary Providers. Each have different requirements.

Child Care Provider Options

Center Based and Group Home Care

Care provided by a State Licensed Provider who is licensed by the State of Alaska Child Care Program Office. Center-Based Care may be provided for 13 or more children. Group Home Care may be provided for 12 or less children.

Family Home Child Care

One or more individuals caring for children in a private residence that are licensed by the State of Alaska Child Care Program Office. Care may be provided to no more than eight (8) children under the age of 13.

For more information on how to become licensed

Tribally Approved Relative Providers

A relative who provides care in their home or in the child(ren)s own home. Tribally Approved Relative Providers may care for no more than a total of five (5) children under the age of 13, including the provider’s own children. Approved relatives are Grandparents, Great Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and Siblings living in a separate residence.

Secondary Providers are utilized when Primary Providers are unavailable or closed. Secondary providers may care for child(ren) for up to 5 days per month. Secondary Provider must be vetted by either being State Licensed or a Tribally Approved Relative Provider.

Why Quality Child Care is Important

Having a variety of high-quality child care options for families to choose from, such as Tribally Approved Relative Provider care or State of Alaska Licensed Provider, has many positive outcomes for children, families and communities to name a few:

  • Regular Schedule and Activities – all young children benefit from a daily routine of eating, napping and playing along with a variety of age-appropriate activities promoting positive development.
  • School Readiness and Academic Achievement – research studies show that young children have higher cognitive and academic achievement scores as teens if they spent time in high-quality child care as young children.
  • Time with Peers – young children learn how to problem-solve, share and otherwise play and learn well together, while their minds are still growing and personalities still emerging.
  • Interaction with other Adults – child care provides an opportunity for children to see other adults as mentors and authority figures able to provide positive guidance.
  • Smoother Transition to Kindergarten – children who received high quality child care found it easier to adjust to their next educational setting.
  • Social and Economic Benefits for Parents – finding quality child care where children are supported, engaged, encouraged and exposed to a positive attitude enabled parents to participate fully in work education, job training and other financial goals.

NEW! Tribally Approved Relative Provider (TARP) Program!

  • Are age 18 or older
  • Be an Eligible Relative related by blood, marriage or court order-decree (great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and siblings living in a separate residence)
  • Pass a Tribally Approved Background Check

TARP providers are required to have orientation, training and site visits while approved through the program. Providers must:

  • Attend 6 hours of Provider Orientation within the first 3 months of becoming an approved provider
  • Attend 6 hours of Annual Training on topics relevant to health and safety, child care and childhood development
  • Site visit will be arranged with the provider at least once every 2 years or sooner if requested

  • Health and safety supplies are available, but not limited to, fire alarms and extinguisher, CO2 monitors, first aid kit, safe sleep items, etc. Funds for First Aid and CPR classes are also available.
  • Grants are available for quality improvement activities like, but not limited to, toys and materials, health and safety supplies and improvements, attend professional development trainings, become State Licensed, etc.

For more information on how to become a Tribally Approved Relative Provider, please see our video.

Tribally Approved Relative Provider Application Packet

Kawerak Provider Payment Rates

Effective 1/1/2023

Based on Enrollment Full-Time Care per child Part-Time Care per child
0-12 months $1,625 $975
13-36 months $1,525 $925
37 months-60 months $1,225 $725
61 months-144 months $1,225 $725
Based on Enrollment Full-Time Care per child Part-Time Care per child
0-12 months $1,325 $800
13-36 months $1,200 $750
37 months-60 months $1,025 $625
61 months-144 months $925 $575
 Age Full Time Daily Rate per child Part Time Daily Rate per child
0-144 months $60 $35

* Secondary & Tribally Approved Relative Providers: 1st and 2nd youngest child will be paid at the daily rate. 3rd child will be paid at 75% and 4th child at 50% of the daily rate.

**Kawerak Child Care Services will pay child care subsidy for up to 4 children only in Tribally Approved Relative Care.

***Care for children with a documented disability will be paid at the regular rate.

*Rates are subject to change

Quality Improvement Grants

Kawerak supports the increased quality and availability of Child Care and the development of Early Childcare Professionals. Our goal is to increase Professional Development, create Safe/Healthy Environments, and Culturally Based, High-Quality Care.

Quality Improvement Grants are available to Licensed or Tribally Approved Relative Providers in the Bering Strait region. Assistance is available up to the following amounts based on type of care provided and is contingent on the availability of funds.

  • $10,000 Tribally Approved Relative Providers
  • $20,000 Licenses Family or Group Home
  • $50,000 Center Based Care

Quality Improvement and Activities include, but not limited to:

  • Purchasing of age-appropriate toys, education and developmental materials, and supplies
  • Support for Training and Professional Development
  • Pursuing a State Child Care License
  • Making minor home, health and safety improvements, including supplies and equipment

Kawerak Child Care Services is committed to providing training and professional development opportunities to increase provider knowledge and competencies in caring for young children. Training opportunities may include attending early childhood conferences, webinars, teleconferences, receiving books and resource materials, attending college classes, or other early care and learning related opportunities.

Health and safety improvements ensure the safe care of young children. Improvements may include, but not limited to, repairing stairs/walkways for children’s access, providing child safe play areas, installing egress windows, floor covering, or other safety issues within children’s reach. Safety equipment may include, but not limited, to obtaining or replacing fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors, First Aid kits, Pediatric First Aid and CPR training, Emergency Preparedness supplies, safe sleep items such as mats, cribs, or sheets, or any other improvements meeting health and safety criteria.

Kawerak will purchase materials, supplies and equipment on behalf of the Provider. If home, health and safety improvements are requested, we will work with you to obtain quotes from contractors to do the work. Upon project completion, a follow up report will be required of the recipient.

Applications for Quality Improvement Grants: https://kawerak.org/download/quality-improvement-grant-application/

Assistance is available by contacting Kawerak Child Care Services who will assist you in completing your application.

Quality Improvement Grant

Provider Resources

CHILD CARE FORMS & DOCS

CONTACT INFORMATION

  • Kawerak, Inc.
    P.O. Box 948
    Nome, AK 99762
  • 907.443.4358
  • intake@kawerak.org