Certified Child Care Center

  • Located in facility meeting zoning requirements as business.
  • Numbers of allowable children depends on space, staffing & other factors.
  • Initial and yearly inspection by Child Care Division, Sanitarian, Fire Marshal.
  • License renewed yearly.

Some Advantages

  • Care is reliable – has substitutes

  • Inspected/monitored for health, safety, group size, adult/child ratios, and training; annually

  • Program may offer more structured activities

  • Providers are required to have 15 hours of training annually

  • All staff have passed a background check

Some Disadvantages

  • Less flexible hours

  • May be more expensive

  • May only take certain age children

  • Siblings may be in separate classrooms

  • Fewer choices

Certified Family Child Care Home

  • Located in building built as single family residence, may not be provider’s residence. Provider may hire assistance which may affect age and number of children and ratios allowed.
  • Maximum of 16 children depending on staff and space.
  • Fire, sanitation, and Child Care Division inspections. License must be renewed yearly. All over 18 with access to children must enroll on Central Background Registry.

Some Advantages

  • Home-like environment

  • Inspected/monitored for health, safety, group size, adult/child ratios, and training; annually

  • Providers are required to have 15 hours of training annually

  • Provider and family have passed a background check

Some Disadvantages

  • Not as widely available

  • May not have substitutes

  •  May have a larger group size

Registered Family Child Care Home

  • Located in residence of provider. Applies to only one provider at that address.
  • Maximum of 10 children allowed in care at any time including provider’s own under 13.
  • Certain age restrictions and ratios apply.
  • Health and safety inspection prior to licensing & every two years at renewal.
  • All residents and regular visitors over 18-years old must enroll on Central Background Registry.

Some Advantages

  • Widely available and typically have flexible hours

  • Home-like environment

  • May have smaller group size

  • May be more affordable

  • Mixed age group, so siblings can be together

  • Provider and family have passed a background check

  • May have an unannounced monitoring visit at least once a year

Some Disadvantages

  • May not have a back-up if provider is unavailable

  • License renewed every 2 years

  • Provider only required to have 10 hours of training every 2 years

  • Quality varies

Unlicensed Exempt Care

A child care provider does not have to be licensed if they meet the following:

  • Three or fewer child care children at any time unless ALL children from same family.
  • Care by parent or guardian.
  • Occasional care by someone who does not usually do regular child care.
  • Educational preschools for children 3-5 years and less than 4 hours a day.
  • Facilities providing activities such as drama, music, or dancing.
  • Clubs or hobby groups offering short term activities or sporting events.
  • Governmental agencies operating child care.

Some Advantages

  • May be friend or family member who knows your child

  • May be less expensive

  • May be more flexible

  • Home-like environment

  • Smaller group size

Some Disadvantages

  • Exempt from licensing

  • May not have had or passed a background check

  • Not monitored

  • No training required

  • May not be as reliable