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