Requirements for Contract Providers
Licensed Child Care Centers and Licensed Family Child Care Homes
To become a contracted child care provider for the Cherokee Nation, a provider licensed by the state of Oklahoma may submit an application by email to childcarelicensing@cherokee.org or by mail to Cherokee Nation, PO Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465. Provider applications may also be submitted in person to the Tahlequah Child Care Office located at 16947 W. Cherokee, Tahlequah, OK 74464.
Licensed Child Care Centers and Family Child Care Homes must be currently licensed by Oklahoma Human Services. Child Care Centers must have a minimum of a 2 Star Rating.
Provider applications may be requested by emailing childcarelicensing@cherokee.org. Cherokee Nation requires the provider to complete an application with the following documents:
Periodic on-site monitoring visits will be made to all providers to ensure continued quality of services and compliance with Health and Safety Requirements.
Licensed Providers requesting direct deposit payments (ACH) will be required to submit an original direct deposit application and notarized letter from their bank. Original documents must be submitted by postal mail or drop off at the Tahlequah Child Care Licensing office.
Relative Providers
Registered Exempt Providers, also known as Relative Providers, are the grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, or adult sibling(s) over 18 years of age not living in the home of the child. The relationship can be by blood or marriage. Relative Providers are exempt from Oklahoma Human Services licensing, however, they must meet the Health and Safety Standards of Operation and Quality of Service.
To be eligible to apply to become a Relative Provider, the relative child must be approved for Child Care Subsidy (child care assistance) through Cherokee Nation. Parent/guardians should refer to the Child Care Subsidy webpage for information on how to apply for child care assistance.
Documents include:
Approved Relative Providers will be required to complete CPR/First Aid within the first 12 months. A copy of the completion card/certificate must be submitted to Child Care Licensing.
Relative Providers requesting direct deposit payments (ACH) will be required to submit an original direct deposit application and notarized letter from their bank. Original documents must be submitted by postal mail or drop off at the Tahlequah Child Care Licensing office.
Periodic on-site monitoring visits are made to the Relative provider’s home.
Quality Rating Improvement System
The Quality Rating Improvement System (Stars) was designed to promote quality environments for children in licensed child care. Oklahoma Human Services requires that licensed child care programs meet additional quality criteria in order to receive a higher star rating. Ratings are listed between One Star and Five Stars.
Please visit https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/services/child-care-services/qris/resources.html for more information about the Stars Rating System.
Provider Assistance
For more information on the Relative Provider program, the Stars QRIS system or child care licensing requirements, please contact Cherokee Nation Child Care Licensing at 918-453-5300.
Helpful links for Providers
