Infant and Toddler Bonus | Now including non-CCAP children

The Infant and Toddler Bonus is now available to providers who are quality rated Step 2 or higher. Instead of receiving a percentage-based bonus, eligible providers will receive a flat rate of $200 per infant and $115 per toddler. Under the new approach, the bonus will be available for all infants and toddlers in the provider’s care, not just those participating in CCAP.

For infants and toddlers who are not receiving CCAP benefits, providers will need to fill out the Infant Toddler Bonus Form. Note: The form is only required for infants and toddlers who are not receiving CCAP benefits.

Click here to access the Infant and Toddler Bonus form

The accordion below lists steps for how to complete the form.

The Infant and Toddler Bonus Form is required only for infants and toddlers who are not receiving Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) benefits.

Providers should complete one form per month that includes all eligible non-CCAP infants and toddlers in their care.

The form is completed after care has occurred. For example, care provided in January should be reported after the month ends and submitted no later than Feb. 4 in order to receive the February payment.

Click here to fill out the Infant and Toddler Bonus form

When you open the form, you will first be asked to enter information about your child care.

This includes:

Your provider or facility name

License number

Bright & Early QRIS rating (Step 2, Step 3, or Step 4)

A contact name for the person completing the form

An email address that is regularly monitored

All information should match your licensing records to avoid delays in processing or overpayments.

Next, you will enter information for each infant or toddler in your care who is not enrolled in CCAP and qualifies for the bonus.

For every child, you will provide the following:

The child’s first and last name

Date of birth

Age category Age categories are divided into birth through 17 months and 18 through 36 months

Service month you are reporting Example: January 2026.

Please do not add additional spaces to any of the entries.

Each child must be entered separately. The form allows you to add multiple children before submitting.

For each child listed, you will report attendance for the service month after the child has attended care. This includes the number of hours the child attended care and, if prompted, the number of days or hours attended. Attendance must reflect actual care provided rather than scheduled time. The child must attend 40 hours per month in order to qualify for the Infant Toddler Bonus.

For example, January attendance should be reported in early February and submitted by February 4.

Accurate attendance reporting is essential, as submissions are subject to review and audit.

At the end of each child’s entry, you will be asked to answer verification questions required under State Law. These questions confirm that the child is not receiving CCAP, that all information submitted is accurate, that bonus funds will be used for child-care-related expenses only, and that you understand the information may be audited by the Department. Selecting “Yes” certifies your responses.

Before submitting, review your entries to ensure all eligible children are included, and all information is complete. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email for your records.

After submission, HHS will review and audit the information provided. Bonus payments for non-CCAP infants and toddlers are issued monthly. For example, care provided in January and reported by Feb. 4 will be included in the February payment cycle.

You do not need to complete this form for CCAP-enrolled children, as those bonuses are applied automatically through the CCAP system.

Is the Infant and Toddler Bonus based on the number of children enrolled or program capacity?

The bonus is based on the number of children attending care for at least 40 hours per month, not on licensed capacity.

When should I submit the Infant Toddler Bonus Form?

The form should be completed after the service month ends. For example, January care must be submitted by Feb. 4 to be included in the February payment.

When will I receive the Infant and Toddler Bonus for children who are not enrolled in CCAP?

Bonuses are issued after attendance is reported and verified. Care provided in January and submitted by Feb. 4 will be paid in February, assuming the provider is rated Step 2 or higher.

Is the Infant and Toddler Bonus for all children or only for non-CCAP families?

The bonus applies to all infants and toddlers. CCAP children are paid automatically, while non-CCAP children must be reported using the Infant Toddler Bonus Form.

How many hours must a child attend to qualify for the Infant and Toddler Bonus?

Children must attend care for at least 40 hours during the service month to be eligible.

Where can I find Market Rate Survey data?

View Market Rate Survey information on the Child Care Assistance Program page .

Where do I report infant and toddler enrollment for the Infant and Toddler Bonus?

Non-CCAP infant and toddler enrollment is reported through the Non-CCAP Infant Toddler Bonus Verification Form, which will soon be available on the Child Care Assistance Information for Providers page. CCAP infant and toddler enrollment continues to be reported through the CCAP portal.

Visit Bright & Early ND to learn more about the process, benefits and resources available to support participation.