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If this is your first time searching for child care read this section first. All states require centers to be licensed. The definition of licensed child care varies by state or territory. Licensing is usually carried out by a local county office such as the Department of Social Services. Licensed providers must meet state requirements. By contacting the local state licensing agency you can determine what those requirements are.
To get a list of licensed providers by zip code, you simply need to contact the appropriate agency in the county of interest. To obtain listings of centers and individual providers in your area visit www.childcareaware.org/en/findcare. To obtain a listing of all the Federal agency child care centers visit Childcare.gov. Childcare.gov is sponsored by The Interagency Federal Child Care Council and is housed and maintained by the General Services Administration Office of Child Care. Always make sure that the provider you choose meets your own standards of care.
For Summer Camp or Nannies Services leads visit the EAP web site at www.usdoj.gov/jmd/ps/eapbrochure.htm#childcare and scroll down to the respective headings.
As a point of reference, a child care center is a day care center where the child care service is in a place other than a persons home. Business hours are usually 12 hours a day, Monday through Friday. Child care centers offer a variety of activities and you should become familiar with these activities to judge whether the facility suites your needs and expectations. In regards to working out special arrangements (weekends or arriving earlier or departing later than the Center’s prescribed hours), that is usually not possible at a child care center. Be sure you understand the center’s payment schedule, late pick up fees, and rules and polices before you agree to accept them. Centers are supposed to be inspected on a regular basis.
Family child care is a service offered in the caregiver’s home. Family child care hours are established by the provider and sometimes you may be able to contract for special hours in some circumstances. Family child care providers may have their own contract or statement of understanding which define their hours of operation, after hour late fees if any, holiday payment expectations, days off, etc. Be sure you understand your providers rules and polices before you agree to accept them. The number of children permitted in a home depends upon how many supervising adults are present during the hours of operation. In some states family child care is not regulated when the provider serves three children or less. In general a family child care provider may care for up to six children, but check your state requirements to determine what is allowed in your community. For some families, the provider may be a relative or a friend and depending upon the state, such arrangements may require few if any regulatory requirements.
In-home care is day care where the childcare worker is employed by you in your home. Obtaining in-home care is dependent upon your own searching through local resources such as nanny services, the local newspaper, and other forms of community advertisement. It is your responsibility to interview and check potential applicants to determine their experience, expertise and to negotiate a salary. When considering possible candidates, you should obtain and contact references and consider obtaining a criminal history check. As the employer, you are responsible for any related tax issues related to paying the in-home care worker’s salary and should consider consulting a tax consultant. You should also concern yourself about obtaining appropriate liability insurance coverage on your residence. Check with your insurance agent to determine what if any changes you need to consider.
Emergency Child care services is day care that is offered on a crisis short term basis, when one’s usual day care is unavailable due to the loss of one’s regular day care provider due to illness or unexpected termination of day care services or for other reasons. It is wise to research such services before you need it to avoid a last minute search and to be comfortable with the provider before you leave your child in their care. In Washington D.C., the Department of Justice has made arrangements for such day care services through LifeCare® Life Event Management Services. However you must register with them before you may use their services. They can be contacted by calling (800) 873-4636.
Page Created January 24, 2007
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