FAQ

What programs can apply?
The first Thriving by Three Grant will be open to licensed child care centers and Head Start/Early Head Start programs that are open and available to provide child care services on the date they apply for the grant. Interested programs also must participate in, or apply to participate in, the state’s child care quality rating and improvement system, Grow NJ Kids, within six months of grant approval. All staff must complete comprehensive criminal background checks and complete required training.  For more information, visit our Training page. 

A Thriving by Three Grant for registered family child care providers will be available later this year.
 
What does it mean to be a program that is in “good standing”?
To be in good standing a program must not:

1. Have any enforcement actions, such as pending suspension or revocation notices, serious violations related to child safety or endangerment; and/or 
2. Have any findings of fraud or misappropriation of funds.

 
If I applied for, and received, financial support from another source, am I eligible for these funds?
Yes. However, providers accepting these funds must ensure the funds are not used to pay for expenses already covered by other federal, state, or local relief funds or grants.

How do I demonstrate that my program needs additional Infant and Toddler slots?
The Needs Assessment section of the Thriving by Three Infant and Toddler Child Care Grant application includes questions about your program’s current infant/toddler enrollment, waiting list, etc. that will determine your program’s need for infant/toddler expansion.  Programs must commit to expanding their infant and/or toddler capacity by a minimum of four additional slots.

What are the ages for infants and toddlers?
Infant and toddler age ranges are as follows: 

Is there cap on how many slots I can create/request funding for?
Currently, there is no cap on the number of slots a provider can add to their application, however the number of slots you request must be based on need. 
 
What if my program requires repairs and/or renovations to accommodate more infants/toddlers?
Thriving by Three Infant and Toddler Child Care Grant funds cannot be used to cover the cost of minor and/or major repairs and will require demonstration that other funding sources have been secured. Other funding sources may include funds that your program already received through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Stabilization Grant, funds available through the NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Child Care Facilities Improvement Program Grant, program revenue and/or private funding.
 
What if my program is not currently licensed to care for infant/toddler age groups?
You must submit an Age Change Request through NJCCIS. You can access the form from the Quick links, Child Care Wizard tab on your provider record in NJCCIS.
 
What if my program needs to increase its licensed capacity to accommodate more infants/toddlers?
You must submit a Capacity Change Request through NJCCIS. You can access the form from the Quick links, Child Care Wizard tab on your provider record in NJCCIS.
 
What if my program needs to re-purpose an existing space to accommodate more infants/toddlers?
If you intend to re-purpose existing vacant space, you must submit a New Space Request through NJCCIS.  You can access the form from the Quick links, Child Care Wizard tab on your provider record in NJCCIS.

When can I apply?
The application for child care centers is set to launch in late March.
 
A Thriving by Three Grant for registered family child care providers will be available later this year.
 
Where do I find the grant application?
The Director, Owner/Director or Facility Administrator can find the grant application by logging into their www.NJCCIS.com account and navigating to Grants from their Quicklinks panel.

Who can complete the grant application?
The Director, Owner/Director or Facility Administrator are the only individuals authorized to complete the application due to the information required for submission.  Programs may only submit one Thriving by Three Grant application per facility location.
 
How long will it take to fill out the application?
The application will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.  You do not have to complete the application in one session.  You will have the opportunity to save your progress and complete the remainder of the application at a later time.

What information will I need to complete the application?

• Infant/Toddler enrollment information
• Infant/Toddler waitlist information (if applicable)
• Infant/Toddler rate information (F/T and P/T rates)
• Infant/Toddler teacher salary information
• Status of your NJEDA Child Care Facilities Improvement Grant (if you applied for this grant)

 
How do I check the status of my application?
You can check the status of your application at any time in the Grants section of your Quicklinks panel.  If your application is approved, you can use the “View” button to see information regarding your grant award amount and payment date.
You will be notified via email when a decision has been made regarding your Thriving by Three Infant and Toddler Child Care Grant application, or whether any additional information is required.
 
What does it mean if my application status is “In Progress”?
Your application could be placed “In Progress” for many reasons, but most likely it just requires further review by our grants team. If we find any problems with your application that require your attention, you will be contacted directly.
 
Who can I contact if I need help with the application?
If you need assistance completing the application, please contact:

For NJCCIS account related questions:
Customer Service Phone: 1.800.332.6512
Customer Service Email: [email protected]
 
For NJ Thriving by Three Infant and Toddler Child Care Grant application-specific questions:
Customer Service Phone: 1.609.588.2300
Customer Service Email: [email protected]

How are grant award amounts determined?
 
Licensed Centers Grant Awards
Year 1 Initial Award:  Approved providers will receive an initial minimum grant award of $3,000 per new infant or toddler child care slot created, of which $1,000 must be directed for teacher-related expenses (i.e., bonus or incentive). This is available to all eligible providers. 
 
Year 2 Award:  Additional minimum grant of $1,200 per infant or toddler slot (awarded 12 months following the date of the initial grant award) of which $400 must be directed for teacher-related expenses (i.e., bonus or incentive). If you are already rated three-, four-, or five-stars in Grow NJ Kids at the start of Year 2 you are not eligible for the $1,200 per slot grant award, however, to support and promote equitable access to high-quality programs you will receive $200 per infant or toddler slot created.
 
Additional funds in Year 2 are contingent on providers’ active engagement in Grow NJ Kids. During the second year, providers must:

1. Complete a Grow NJ Kids Self-Assessment
2. Complete a Grow NJ Kids Quality Improvement Plan
3. Submit a Grow NJ Kids Rating Readiness form to initiate the rating process
4. Have all the newly created slots filled by end of Year 2

Year 3 Award:  Additional minimum grant of $1,200 per infant or toddler slot (awarded 24 months following the date the initial grant award) of which $400 must be directed for teacher-related expenses (i.e., bonus or incentive). If you are already rated three-, four-, or five-stars in Grow NJ Kids at the start of Year 3 you are not eligible for the $1,200 per slot grant award, however, to support and promote equitable access to high-quality programs you will receive $200 per infant or toddler slot created.

At the time of the Year 3 Award, the provider must:

1. Be actively participating in the Grow NJ Kids rating process; and
2. Continue to have all of the newly created slots filled.

 
Please note: The provider MUST upload a CURRENT W-9 in the file cabinet in NJCCIS in order to receive payment. A Thriving by Three Grant for registered family child care providers will be available later this year.
  
What can I use the grant funds for?
Thriving by Three grant funds may be spent on the following approved categories:
 
Equipment/Furniture
Including evacuation cribs, changing tables, strollers, mats, tables, high chairs, rocking chairs, toddler size tables/chairs, outdoor equipment, sinks, refrigerators, etc.)
 
Materials/Toys/Supplies
Including curriculum, sensory, learning, exploration, fine/gross motor skills, etc.
 
Staff/Recruitment/Hiring
Including advertisement, hiring bonus, salary, benefits, etc.
 
Other Needs
Including professional development, technical assistance – room arrangement/spacing, regulatory technical assistance, quality improvement technical assistance, etc.

What is Grow NJ Kids?
Grow NJ Kids, New Jersey’s Quality Rating Improvement System, is New Jersey’s program to raise the quality of child care and early learning across the state.  For child care and early learning programs, it provides resources that help raise their quality and continuously improve their programs.
 
How can my program participate in Grow NJ Kids?
All types of programs can participate in Grow NJ Kids – a child care center, a school- or center-based preschool program, a Head Start program, as well as a registered family child care provider, who cares for children in his/her home.  All Grow NJ Kids business is conducted in the New Jersey Child Care Information System (NJCCIS). To enroll in Grow NJ Kids you must have a NJCCIS account.
 
For a short video on how Grow NJ Kids works, click here.

For NJCCIS account questions, including questions about passwords, contact:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-800-332-6512

 
For specific questions about the NJ Thriving by Three Infant and Toddler Child Care Grant, contact:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-609-588-2300