Georgia CAPS reimbursement rates for daycare providers
Before enrolling as a CAPS provider, you need to understand what the state will actually pay you — and how co-payments work when your tuition exceeds the CAPS rate.
How CAPS rates work
Georgia CAPS reimbursement rates are set by DECAL based on periodic market surveys of childcare costs across the state. Rates vary by three factors: the county where your daycare is located, the child's age group, and whether you operate as a center (CCLC/GCCH) or home daycare (FCCH).
Metro Atlanta counties (Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb) typically have the highest rates reflecting higher market costs. Rural counties generally have lower rates. Because rates are reset periodically based on surveys, they can change — always verify current rates directly with DECAL before building your financial projections around CAPS revenue.
Find current CAPS rates for your county
DECAL publishes the current CAPS rate schedule by county and age group. The linked page is the authoritative source — always use current rates for financial planning.
Current CAPS rates by county → decal.ga.gov/BftE/CAPSRates.aspxHow co-payments work
If your tuition is higher than the CAPS rate for your county and age group, the difference is the family's co-payment. You collect co-payments directly from families — CAPS does not collect them on your behalf.
Example: infant in Fulton County
Example only. Use current rates from DECAL for actual planning.
Frequently asked questions
How are CAPS reimbursement rates set in Georgia?
Georgia CAPS rates are set by the state based on periodic market rate surveys of childcare costs across different regions and age groups. Rates are updated periodically — typically every 1–2 years. Current rates are published on the DECAL website by county and age group.
Can I charge CAPS families more than the CAPS rate?
No — but you can charge them a co-payment. If your private-pay tuition is higher than the CAPS reimbursement rate for your county, the difference is the family's co-pay, which they pay directly to you. You cannot charge CAPS families any fees that you don't also charge private-pay families for the same service.
Do CAPS rates differ by age group?
Yes. CAPS rates vary by age group (infants typically receive higher rates due to lower staff ratios), setting type (center vs. home daycare), and county. Urban counties like Fulton and DeKalb generally have higher rates than rural counties.
Ready to enroll as a CAPS provider?
See the complete CAPS provider enrollment guide — eligibility requirements, application steps, and the provider agreement.
CAPS provider enrollment guide →