First 3 Pilot

Yes. Once the County approves them, they get priority for your seats. Please do not promise a seat or place a child until the family brings you their enrollment letter.

Yes. You are paid for up to 80 excused absences per child each year and up to 20 closure days. You are also paid for up to 30 days while a seat waits to be filled. Seats belong to your program, not to the child.

Yes. You need a CCMS to record attendance, such as Brightwheel or Playground. If you do not have one, the Council may help cover the license cost, and free setup help is available.

Your existing and vacant seats together are capped at 2 for family day care, 3 for group family and 4 for centers. There is no cap on newly created seats. A center’s total First 3 seats cannot be more than half of its licensed capacity.

A newly created seat is OCFS approved capacity for children under four that is added on or after January 1, 2027. A school age room converted to serve children under four also counts. Moving seats between younger age groups does not count. Start with your OCFS regional office.

Families pay a flat $15 a week, and that covers the full time day in full. You may charge your regular rates only for care outside that day, such as before 7 a.m., after 6 p.m., or weekends, as long as your written fee policy applies it to all families. You may not charge registration, holding or other fees.

First 3 pays the OCFS weekly market rate for each child. Centers receive $385 (under 1½), $365 (1½ through 2) or $340 (age 3). Family and group family homes receive $315, $300 or $285. Payments come every two weeks by direct deposit. Payments will change as the OCFS market rate changes.

The RFQ opens Friday, October 30, 2026 at 10 a.m. and currently has no closing date. We review complete applications in the order we receive them, so applying early helps. Each location needs its own application.

Any family living in Dutchess County with a child under four qualifies, and there is no income or work requirement. Families apply through the OCFS enrollment system, which is expected to open in early 2027. The County determines eligibility.

Any licensed or registered program in Dutchess County can apply, including centers, small centers, group family and family day care homes. You must be in good standing with OCFS, serve (or plan to serve) children under four, and use (or set up) an approved CCMS.