for the provision of child care services for eligible children under this section that, at a minimum, support providers’ operating expenses to meet and sustain health, safety, quality, and wage standards required under this section. (C) Certificates The State shall issue a child care certificate directly to a parent who shall use such certificate only as payment for direct child care services or as a deposit for direct child care services if such a deposit is required of other children being cared for by the provider, consistent with the requirements under this section. (3) Activities to improve the quality and supply of child care services (A) Quality child care activities (i) Amount For each of fiscal years 2024 through 2029, from the total of the payments made to the State for a particular fiscal year, the State shall reserve and use a quality child care amount equal to not less than 5 percent and not more than 10 percent of the amount made available to the State through such payments for the previous fiscal year. (ii) Use of quality child care amount Each State shall use the quality child care amount described in clause (i) to implement activities described in this paragraph to improve the quality and supply of child care services by eligible child care providers, and increase the number of available slots in the State for child care services funded under this section, prioritizing assistance for child care providers who are in underserved communities and who are providing, or are seeking to provide, child care services for underserved populations identified under subsection (f)(3)(I). (iii) Administration Activities funded under this paragraph may be administered— (I) directly by the lead agency