How Child Care Bridge Payments are Determined Return to Child Care Bridge Payments home page. Información en español. Each month, information will be posted on this page to inform providers about how payments were determined for that particular time period. Definition of Terms – How Payments are Determined Program A Per-Child Amount Program A Payment amount for each child entered in the application for the Count Week. Wisconsin Shares Add-on Amount Program A payment amount given in addition to the Per-Child Amount for each child included in the application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week. Program B Base Per-Staff Amount Program B payment amount for each eligible full-time/part-time staff listed in the application. Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount Program B additional payment amount based on YoungStar star rating for each eligible full-time/part-time staff listed in the application. Providers must continue to meet program Terms and Conditions to receive monthly payments. Your monthly payment amounts may fluctuate as required by the program’s Terms and Conditions, based on available funding, and based on any adjustments DCF makes to the program. See Child Care Bridge Payments terms and conditions for additional details. Child Care Bridge Payments information will be posted after each payment letter is sent out. Update on June Child Care Bridge Payments We are providing an update on the final Child Care Bridge Payments due to the payment processing error that occurred. Payment Date Payments will be disbursed on July 16. New payment letters will be posted in the Child Care Provider Portal on July 17. If you receive your payments by direct deposit, you should see your funds available on July 17. However, in some cases, it can take up to seven (7) business days from the date of the payment letter, depending on your bank’s normal processing timeline. If you receive your payments by check, it may take up to 14 business days from the date of your completed W-9. The spending deadline for this payment has been extended to November 14, 2026 due to this delay. Payment Amounts The Wisconsin state budget provided $110 million for Child Care Bridge Payments, and we’re committed to paying out every last dollar of that. We have been closely monitoring fluctuations in monthly payment amounts due to number of applications, and changes in children and staff included in applications. Demand for the program is high, and the final calculation of June payments required a downward adjustment in order to remain within the allocated funding levels. The updated payment calculations ensure that all available funds have been spent within the required timeline, and updated per-child and per-staff amounts can be found below. July 2025 Payment Amounts (Payment Letter Date 8/15/25) Payment Letter Date 8/15/2025. Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the Count Week. The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the Count Week. The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included in the application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week. Per-Child Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $50 $76 2-3 $44 $59 4-5 $23 $37 6+ $14 $22 Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $14 $21 2-3 $12 $22 4-5 $12 $17 6+ $11 $16 Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time). Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and YoungStar level. Base Per-Staff Amount Part-Time Full-Time $31 $64 Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount Star Level Part-Time Full-Time 2 Star $12 $21 3 Star $33 $63 4 Star $54 $106 5 Star $75 $148 August 2025 Payment Amounts (Payment Letter Date 9/12/25) Payment Letter Date 9/12/2025. Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the Count Week. The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the Count Week. The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included in the application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week. Per-Child Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $50 $76 2-3 $44 $59 4-5 $23 $37 6+ $14 $22 Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $14 $21 2-3 $12 $22 4-5 $12 $17 6+ $11 $16 Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time). Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and YoungStar level. Base Per-Staff Amount Part-Time Full-Time $31 $64 Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount Star Level Part-Time Full-Time 2 Star $12 $21 3 Star $33 $63 4 Star $54 $106 5 Star $75 $148 September 2025 Payment Amounts (Payment Letter Date 10/10/25) Payment Letter Date 10/10/2025. Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the Count Week. The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the Count Week. The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included in the application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week. Per-Child Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $50 $76 2-3 $44 $59 4-5 $23 $37 6+ $14 $22 Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $14 $21 2-3 $12 $22 4-5 $12 $17 6+ $11 $16 Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time). Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and YoungStar level. Base Per-Staff Amount Part-Time Full-Time $31 $64 Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount Star Level Part-Time Full-Time 2 Star $12 $21 3 Star $33 $63 4 Star $54 $106 5 Star $75 $148 October 2025 Payment Amounts (Payment Letter Date 11/7/25) Payment Letter Date 11/7/2025. Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the Count Week. The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the Count Week. The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included in the application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week. Per-Child Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $50 $76 2-3 $44 $59 4-5 $23 $37 6+ $14 $22 Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $14 $21 2-3 $12 $22 4-5 $12 $17 6+ $11 $16 Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time). Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and YoungStar level. Base Per-Staff Amount Part-Time Full-Time $31 $64 Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount Star Level Part-Time Full-Time 2 Star $12 $21 3 Star $33 $63 4 Star $54 $106 5 Star $75 $148 November 2025 Payment Amounts (Payment Letter Date 12/12/25) Payment Letter Date 12/12/2025. Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the Count Week. The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the Count Week. The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included in the application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week. Per-Child Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $50 $76 2-3 $44 $59 4-5 $23 $37 6+ $14 $22 Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $14 $21 2-3 $12 $22 4-5 $12 $17 6+ $11 $16 Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time). Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and YoungStar level. Base Per-Staff Amount Part-Time Full-Time $31 $64 Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount Star Level Part-Time Full-Time 2 Star $12 $21 3 Star $33 $63 4 Star $54 $106 5 Star $75 $148 December 2025 Payment Amounts (Payment Letter Date 1/9/26) Payment Letter Date 1/9/2026. Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the Count Week. The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the Count Week. The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included in the application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week. Per-Child Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $50 $76 2-3 $44 $59 4-5 $23 $37 6+ $14 $22 Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $14 $21 2-3 $12 $22 4-5 $12 $17 6+ $11 $16 Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time). Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and YoungStar level. Base Per-Staff Amount Part-Time Full-Time $31 $64 Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount Star Level Part-Time Full-Time 2 Star $12 $21 3 Star $33 $63 4 Star $54 $106 5 Star $75 $148 January 2026 Payment Amounts (Payment Letter Date 2/6/26) Payment Letter Date 2/6/2026. Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the Count Week. The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the Count Week. The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included in the application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week. Per-Child Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $50 $76 2-3 $44 $59 4-5 $23 $37 6+ $14 $22 Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $14 $21 2-3 $12 $22 4-5 $12 $17 6+ $11 $16 Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time). Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and YoungStar level. Base Per-Staff Amount Part-Time Full-Time $31 $64 Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount Star Level Part-Time Full-Time 2 Star $12 $21 3 Star $33 $63 4 Star $54 $106 5 Star $75 $148 February 2026 Payment Amounts (Payment Letter Date 3/6/26) Payment Letter Date 3/6/2026. Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the Count Week. The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the Count Week. The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included in the application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week. Per-Child Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $50 $76 2-3 $44 $59 4-5 $23 $37 6+ $14 $22 Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $14 $21 2-3 $12 $22 4-5 $12 $17 6+ $11 $16 Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time). Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and YoungStar level. Base Per-Staff Amount Part-Time Full-Time $31 $64 Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount Star Level Part-Time Full-Time 2 Star $12 $21 3 Star $33 $63 4 Star $54 $106 5 Star $75 $148 March 2026 Payment Amounts (Payment Letter Date 4/10/26) Payment Letter Date 4/10/2026. Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the Count Week. The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the Count Week. The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included in the application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week. Per-Child Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $50 $76 2-3 $44 $59 4-5 $23 $37 6+ $14 $22 Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $14 $21 2-3 $12 $22 4-5 $12 $17 6+ $11 $16 Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time). Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and YoungStar level. Base Per-Staff Amount Part-Time Full-Time $31 $64 Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount Star Level Part-Time Full-Time 2 Star $12 $21 3 Star $33 $63 4 Star $54 $106 5 Star $75 $148 April 2026 Payment Amounts (Payment Letter Date 5/8/26) Payment Letter Date 5/8/2026. Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the Count Week. The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the Count Week. The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included in the application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week. Per-Child Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $50 $76 2-3 $44 $59 4-5 $23 $37 6+ $14 $22 Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $14 $21 2-3 $12 $22 4-5 $12 $17 6+ $11 $16 Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time). Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and YoungStar level. Base Per-Staff Amount Part-Time Full-Time $31 $64 Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount Star Level Part-Time Full-Time 2 Star $12 $21 3 Star $33 $63 4 Star $54 $106 5 Star $75 $148 May 2026 Payment Amounts (Payment Letter Date 6/12/26) Payment Letter Date 6/12/2026. Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the Count Week. The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the Count Week. The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included in the application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week. Per-Child Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $50 $76 2-3 $44 $59 4-5 $23 $37 6+ $14 $22 Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $14 $21 2-3 $12 $22 4-5 $12 $17 6+ $11 $16 Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time). Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and YoungStar level. Base Per-Staff Amount Part-Time Full-Time $31 $64 Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount Star Level Part-Time Full-Time 2 Star $12 $21 3 Star $33 $63 4 Star $54 $106 5 Star $75 $148 June 2026 Payment Amounts (Payment Letter Date 7/17/26) - REVISED Payment Letter Date 7/17/2026. Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the Count Week. The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the Count Week. The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included in the application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week. Per-Child Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $45 $69 2-3 $40 $53 4-5 $21 $33 6+ $13 $20 Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount Age Part-Time Full-Time 0-1 $13 $19 2-3 $11 $20 4-5 $11 $16 6+ $10 $14 Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time). Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and YoungStar level. Base Per-Staff Amount Part-Time Full-Time $28 $58 Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount Star Level Part-Time Full-Time 2 Star $11 $19 3 Star $30 $57 4 Star $49 $96 5 Star $68 $134
