Partner Site applications are open
Apply to become a Thrive By 5 Louisville Partner Site. Applications are open through September 21, 2026.
Partner Sites
You’ve built a place families count on. Let’s make it stronger, together.
The Thrive By 5 Louisville Partner Site Program is built to support Early Childhood Education Centers and Family Child Care Homes as they strengthen the work they already lead. Partner Sites receive targeted support, resources, and connections to sustain their programs, support educators, and expand access for families.
Apply to become a Thrive By 5 Partner Site. Applications are open through September 21, 2026.
Support built around your program
You know your early childhood education program, your educators, and the families who rely on you. Thrive By 5 does not run classrooms. We work alongside providers to connect them with tools, resources, and support that help create stronger early learning opportunities across Louisville.
As a Partner Site, you choose the quality initiatives that make the most sense for your program’s needs and priorities. Thrive’s role is to provide targeted support as you work toward those goals. That support includes:
- Family Access Scholarship Placements
- Workforce Development Recruitment
- Funding to increase/maintain All STARS rating
- Professional development opportunities
- Quarterly classroom supply support
- Urban Senior Job Placements
What the partnership asks of you
A strong partnership works both ways. If selected, your program will be committing to:
- Consistently use Brightwheel as required for program participation, including maintaining accurate and up-to-date program information
- Submit required reporting through Brightwheel, including but not limited to enrollment, attendance, financial status, child assessments and outcomes, and other required program data. Information used for reporting and evaluation will not include information that identifies individual children or families.
- Work cooperatively with Thrive By 5 Provider Specialists for at least 2 hours per month
- Increase or maintain Kentucky All STARS rating
Two ways to partner with Thrive By 5
Both Partner Sites and Quality+ Pilot Sites are part of Thrive By 5 Louisville’s work to strengthen early learning programs and expand access for families. The difference is in the level and structure of support.
Quality+ Pilot Sites participate in Thrive By 5’s more intensive model. The new Partner Site Program uses a flexible, self-directed approach. As a Partner Site, you identify the quality initiatives that best fit your program’s priorities and receive targeted support and opportunities to earn financial incentives for participation.
Both models align with Thrive By 5’s quality standards. Partner Site is designed for providers who want a supportive, adaptable relationship around the goals they choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Thrive By 5 Louisville Partner Site?
A Partner Site is a licensed early childhood education provider that enters an ongoing, provider-led relationship with Thrive. The program receives targeted resources and support while making shared commitments around data, collaboration, and quality standards.
Is my program eligible to apply?
The Thrive By 5 Louisville Partner Site program is open to all licensed child care centers and family child care homes that meet the following criteria:
- Must be a Family Child Care Home (FCCH) or Child Care Center in Jefferson County.
- Must be open, under current owner/location, for a minimum of 2 years.
- Currently have 3-5 year olds, at a minimum.
- Open a minimum of 5 days a week for a minimum of 7 hours per day.
- Must be in compliance with all KY State laws.
- Location must not be a part of the Quality+ Pilot program.
- Location must be participating in the KY All STARS Program.
- Must not have a significant DPOC in the last 3 years.
- Must accept CCAP
- Must not be a program funded through JCPS, Headstart or Bezos Academy.
Is Partner Site the same as Quality+?
No. Both are Thrive partnerships that align with the organization’s quality standards, but Quality+ Pilot Sites participate in a more intensive model. Partner Sites take a flexible, self-directed approach, selecting quality initiatives that fit their program’s priorities while receiving targeted support.
How does the application process work?
After the application process closes on 9/21/2026 there will be a thorough review process which includes an external evaluation of the applications. The process will include a virtual interview and a site visit for select locations.
Thrive By 5 Louisville hopes to announce all Partner sites in early 2027.
How will I know whether my program has been accepted?
A Thrive By 5 staff member will notify your program of its application status.
For more information, download our provider manual for Thrive By 5 Partner Sites.