For children under 24 months, the State pays Harbor Oak $419.13 a week plus the 22% EXCELS Level 3 add-on, or $511.34 a week. That is more than Harbor Oak’s private infant rate of $455.

Two lessons follow:

• A program’s EXCELS rating has real financial value, especially for infant and toddler rooms.
• If the State’s payment is higher than your private rate, your private rate may be lower than your costs require. Check it with the Tuition Calculator.

Also check that no room’s tuition is below its CCS rate. Under the “lesser of” rule, the State pays only your published rate.