💸 Introduction: The Challenge of Childcare Costs
Admit it: Kids are not cheap. Prepare for the costs of diapers, clothes, meals and their health care costs to add up quickly. However, if you’re a working parent, the child care bill each month is usually your biggest child-related expense. Many times you’d feel as though you work simply to pay for child care.
If you are a parent working in McKinney, TX, and you’re worried about your child’s care, don’t worry, there are many parents that feel the same way about child care costs. You want to provide your child with the best possible education, security, friends and fun — but at the same time, you need to be sure you’re paying your mortgage/rent too!
One thing you may not know is that there are programs who can help. These programs are basically a way for families to be able to afford quality child care in McKinney. You may have even heard of some of these program names — such as “CCMS” and “CCS”.
The following information provides an overview of the Major Child Care assistance program, as well as what Stonebridge Academy does with these programs in our community.
❓ What Are CCMS and CCS?
To help with the information that exists between both CCMS and CCS, we will begin with clarification. There are two acronyms for what people refer to as Child Care Management Services (CCMS). CCMS is used by some, while others may use the acronym CCMS; both terms are referring to the same Child Care Management Services.
- CCS stands for Child Care Services.
- CCMS stands for Child Care Management Services.
So essentially this is the money that the state of Texas (given by the Texas Workforce Commission) pays you for child care services, it’s not a loan and you’re never responsible for paying it back. It’s intended to provide assistance to working parents, parents who are attending school, or parents who are receiving training to obtain employment.
This could be thought of as like a scholarship for your children. The state pays a significant portion of your tuition directly to your child’s daycare provider, with you paying the remaining contribution based on what you can afford and therefore your child will have access to higher quality day care facilities than you may have previously been able to afford.
Decoding the Acronyms
Acronym | Full Name | What It Means for You |
CCS | Child Care Services | The overall program providing financial aid. |
CCMS | Child Care Management Services | The local office that manages your case. |
TWC | Texas Workforce Commission | The state agency in charge of it all. |
📋 Who Qualifies for Help in McKinney?
If you’re thinking to yourself, “This is really great, but I probably wouldn’t qualify,” don’t be so sure! Many families have been shocked to find out they qualify for CCMS McKinney or CCS McKinney. This program is designed to help families make low to moderate income.
To be eligible for assistance, you generally need to meet three basic criteria:
- Residency: Be a resident of the county in which you are applying (for example: Collin County);
- Work/School: Parents must be working or in school (or in some other type of job training) for a minimum of 25 hours per week, and (if you have two parents) both parents must be in compliance with this criterion; and
- Income: Your family must have a total income that is below the designated threshold. This threshold will vary based upon the number of family members in your household.
Even if you believe your income is too high to qualify, it still may not hurt to check. Many families are shocked at how high the thresholds are for qualification.
Basic Eligibility Checklist
Requirement | Details |
Age of Child | Usually for children under 13 years old. |
Parent Activity | Must be working or in school (25-50 hours/week). |
Income Level | Must meet gross income limits based on family size. |
Location | Must live within the service area (e.g., McKinney/Collin County). |
Need affordable childcare in McKinney?
🏫 Stonebridge Academy: A Proud Partner
It is beneficial to be able to receive assistance for your childcare costs; however, do not assume all daycare centers are able to receive the Child Care Subsidy or Child Care Management Systems funds. Some daycare providers do not participate in these two programs because they require additional paperwork and have strict requirements for quality assurance.
Being approved for assistance can be frustrating if you want to find an appropriate daycare center. You may be approved, but if you do not feel safe in these daycare centers, you may need to find another center that does not require the extra paperwork or that has different requirements to receive CCMS/CCS.
At Stonebridge Academy, we believe every child deserves quality care, regardless of the limitations of their parents. That’s why we accept CCMS/CCS funds for parents in McKinney.
When parents receive assistance, we do not differentiate. Each child, regardless of whether the child receives assistance, receives the same level of qualified teachers, nutritious meals, and fun learning experiences. We will process the paperwork so the parent has more time to spend on their job and with their family.
⭐ Why Quality Matters (And Why the State Pays for It)
A hidden fact about the CCS programme in the State of Texas is that there is an extra incentive for you as a parent to choose a quality child care facility, because the more stars or ratings that a facility has, the more funding the State provides to the facility.
The Texas Rising Star programme rates child care facilities; a facility can receive anywhere from 2 stars to 4 stars.
- No Stars: Meets minimum safety rules.
- 4 Stars: Meets the highest standards for education and care.
Stonebridge Academy is a Texas Rising Star Provider. This means that your child is receiving a high-quality, premium education using State of Texas funds, thereby allowing your child the best chance to succeed in life.
Why Choose a Rising Star Provider with CCS?
Feature | Standard Center | Stonebridge Academy (Rising Star) |
Curriculum | Basic supervision | Educational learning plans |
Teachers | Basic training | Higher education & specialized training |
Environment | Standard safety | Enhanced learning materials & safety |
Cost to You | Same CCS co-pay | Same CCS co-pay |
Note: Your co-pay is usually determined by your income, not the total cost of the school. So why not choose the best school possible?
📝 How to Apply for Assistance
If you’re considering daycare in McKinney, you should apply for the Child Care Services (CCS) at the beginning. You have a few easy steps to get started.
- Finding Your Local Board: The North Central Texas Workforce Solutions office processes CCS applications in McKinney.
- Gather Your Documentation: You will need documentation for your income (like a check stub), proof of residency (like a utility bill), and copies of your child’s birth certificate(s) in order to complete your application.
- Apply Online: For the most part, you’ll need to complete your application via the internet. This process should be quicker and much less difficult than applying offline.
- Wait for Approval: Depending on the CCS program, there may be a waiting list. If you can’t get inmediately approved, sign on the waiting list– it’s a good thing to do because funding becomes available continuously.
- Choose Your Provider: Once you have received your approval, bring the approval letter in to Stonebridge Academy and we will help get you set up as an enrolled student.
Do not hesitate to get the paper work done!! Those in the workforce will assist you any time you need help. Once you have been approved by the Texas Workforce commission you will be on CCS for at least 1 year before you will have to reapply.
💰 What You Will Pay (The Parent Share)
One of the most common questions asked is “Is it 100% free?” The answer is usually no, but it is affordable. Most families pay a small amount each month to aid in covering the cost of daycare. This payment is referred to as your “Parent Share of Cost” (PSC) and may be minimal compared with what the state pays to cover the remaining balance.
For example: If your full tuition for daycare is $1,000 per month, your parent share may only be $150 per month based on your total household income. In this example, the state will pay an additional $850 on your behalf to cover the balance of the tuition.
Being able to have access to high quality care can relieve families from having to find the total tuition amount. Instead of worrying about having to find a way to pay the entire tuition at once each month, families will only have to budget for their PSC.
This allows families to breathe easier and potentially have additional money left over in other areas, due to the fact that they are budgeting just for the PSC.
🍎 Included Benefits at Stonebridge
There is great value to you when you utilize your CCS McKinney funding through Stonebridge Academy. We never take “short cuts.”
- Meals Included: We serve children three meals a day that are nutritious (they will provide you with both breakfast and lunch, plus all of their daily snacks). You will not be spending any additional money on pre-packing lunches each day.
- Extended Hours: Our center is open from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. This is very beneficial for parents who work long hours or have long commutes. CCS pays for full-time care from the time they arrive until the time they leave, covering the entire time that they are in the center.
- Educational Focus: As a licensed school, we are focused on the education of your child, not just caring for them. Your child will be taught letters, numbers and socialization skills on a daily basis.
By using CCS funding and the all-inclusive services we provide, you will be maximizing your funding and minimizing your stress.
🤝 We Are Here to Help You Navigate
Government forms can be extremely confusing to people. There are many new words such as, “eligibility”, “redetermination”, and “parent share”, if you are confused about any of these, please give us a call. We cannot approve your application because only the state can, but we can provide you with the necessary documents and instruct you on the next steps once you have an approval letter.
We have helped many families in the McKinney area navigate through the CCMS McKinney system. We want to help you! Our desire is for your child to be in a safe, joyful classroom so that you can return to work with peace of mind.
🚀 Conclusion: Quality Care is Within Reach
The cost of a quality child care facility doesn’t have to keep you from being able to provide your child with everything they need to grow into future leaders and citizens of this great country. CCS and CCMS were designed to assist families working so they can provide for their children; both are investments in the future of each community.
If you’re looking for a great preschool program in the McKinney area that not only provides an excellent education, safety, and nurturing for children, but also does so at a reasonable price, then look no further than Stonebridge Academy!
Check your eligibility to be able to receive assistance today, start Your application process and then call us to schedule a tour of Stonebridge Academy so we can show you how this funding helps us create a magical setting for your child to learn and develop.
Quick Contact Information
Contact Method | Details |
📍 Address | 1921 Grassmere Ln, McKinney, TX 75071 |
📞 Phone | |
⏰ Hours | Mon–Fri: 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM |
Call us today to learn more about enrolling with CCS or CCMS. We can’t wait to meet your family!
Frequently asked questions
What is the CCMS program in McKinney?
CCMS helps eligible families pay for childcare so parents can work, attend school, or train for a job.
How does CCS make childcare more affordable?
CCS provides financial assistance that lowers the cost of childcare for qualifying families.
Who can apply for childcare assistance in McKinney?
Working parents, students, and families in job training may qualify based on program guidelines.
