Information Related to Child Care Programs Overseas

In the case of an overseas location, how can an agency ensure a child care center or family child care home is safe and appropriate for children in its care whose parents have applied for the child care subsidy?

Since child care licensing or its equivalent is not a requirement in all foreign countries, agencies can use a number of alternatives for ensuring the child care program where their employee subsidy recipients enroll their children is safe and appropriate. The following list is not all inclusive. Agencies may devise other strategies for this purpose:

1. Centers located near military installations: Agencies may choose to request that a child care specialist at a local military installation do an on-site evaluation of the child care center or family child care home using the same evaluation instruments that are used for military child care.
2. Local licensing: Some foreign countries and localities have their own set of regulations for child care. If a locality requires that child care be regulated, the agency can accept local licensure or proxy for licensure if appropriate.
3. Contract for services: Private organizations with international networks conduct evaluation visits on a contractual basis.