Electronic Attendance System

Starting July 1, 2018, all providers accepting Working Connections Child Care subsidies are required to track attendance using an electronic attendance system.

This applies to child care centers, family home child care providers, and Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) providers.

Providers have the option to use DCYF’s (formerly DEL) Electronic Attendance System or another DCYF-approved attendance system.

DCYF’s electronic attendance system is free for providers to use. Training on the new system is now available in multiple languages and delivery methods across the state.

Updates to the Implementation Timeline

DCYF recognizes the hard work and effort from providers working towards full incorporation of the new electronic attendance system into their business practices. While the electronic attendance rules went into effect on July 1, 2018, the timeline has been updated to ensure providers have more time to access the tools and resources they need to gain additional confidence and skill with using the new system.

  • For providers in progress towards full use of the system offered by DCYF, we are committed to your successful implementation of the system.
  • For providers already using the system, we thank you and encourage your continued use of the system.
  • If you are using your own approved attendance system, please send your name, SSPS Number, and the name of the system you are using to electronic.attendance@dcyf.wa.gov.

For providers using the system offered by DCYF, there are several steps to take to work towards submitting complete attendance records each month.

The updated timeline has the specifics:

Attendance Project Goals

Tracking attendance of children participating in Washington’s child care subsidy program is currently done on paper forms, creating a complicated and confusing process for families, providers and the state. It can also result in incorrect payments to providers. In response to state audits regarding billing accuracy, DCYF has implemented an improved attendance system.

The goals of the new electronic attendance requirements are to:

  • Replace the manual paper attendance system used by most providers with a modern, off-the-shelf, cloud-based software.
  • Reduce the amount of time that providers and State workers spend tabulating attendance hours.
  • Reduce billing inaccuracies and overpayments with internal controls over child care payments.
  • Implement the new system in a manner that supports providers’ different comfort levels with technology.