Congratulations, you are invited to apply for the Delaware Child Care Bonus! The Delaware Child Care Bonus Program “Round 2” provides financial recognition awards directly to early childhood care and education professionals who have been working with children or providing on-site administrative support in Delaware child care settings licensed by the Department of Education’s Office of Child Care Licensing.

This $700 bonus is available to early care and education professionals who apply and qualify for the bonus. This bonus application will be open from March 1 – April 30, 2023.

Who is eligible for the bonus?

You can be eligible for the second round of bonus payments even if you did not receive the first round of the Child Care Bonus Program. On-site administrators and administrative staff are now eligible for the Round 2 Bonus of $700.

You may be eligible for an award of $700 if you currently:

• Work directly with children OR provide any level of on-site administrative support in an early care and education or school-age center in Delaware listed on the OCCL website at https://education.delaware.gov/families/birth-age-5/child_care_search/

AND

• Work at least 20 hours per week;
• Have worked for at least 90 days in one or more of the above listed licensed programs at the time of the application; and
• Are at least 18 years of age or older.

What happens next?

Step 1: Complete your My Early Childhood Career Journey profile. After completion, you will receive your personalized link to the Delaware Child Care Bonus application.

Step 2: Complete the online Delaware Child Care Bonus application and provide the necessary documentation to show you meet the criteria.

• This includes a valid form of identification, your last two (2) pay stubs or time cards signed by your employer, a signed and completed W-9 form, and, if choosing Direct Deposit, a voided check or Direct Deposit Authorization form.

Once your information is verified and approved, you will receive $700 via Direct Deposit or mailed check (your choice). Please note: This bonus is taxable income. Taxes will not be withheld from your $700, but you will receive Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income to complete with your 2023 taxes.

Click here to get started on your application!

We value and appreciate the work that you do with young children and their families.

The Early Childhood Support Team

Need help? Send us an email at delawareece@welsfoundation.org or call us at (302) 549-4212 Monday – Friday, 7am to 7pm.