Finding a Child Care Provider

Want to know more before reaching out? 

See below for an overview of the types of child care settings, the benefits each offers, and what to consider before making a choice.
 

Types of Child Care 

There are three types of child care settings that vary in setting and size.

Child Care Center	Family Child Care Home	Care from Family, Friends, and Neighbors
Care is offered in a multi-room building operated by a non-profit, school district, or independent organization. They are licensed by the State and offer part-day or full-day care. Centers can offer care to a range of ages, typically in classrooms of like ages. Child care centers are sometimes referred to as “nursery schools” or “preschools.”	Care is offered in a family home setting. Family Child Care providers can care for up to 14 children depending on the size of the home, the age of the children, and the number of caregivers present. Providers often care for a mixed-age group of children, ranging from 0-12 years. Family Child Care caregivers are licensed by the State.	Care provided by a relative, friend, or nanny in the child’s home or in the home of the adult providing care. The adult can provide care to relatives and children of one additional family. Hours are determined together by the caregiver and families. The care environment and provider are not required to be licensed, but caregivers have the option of registering with TrustLine, California’s comprehensive background check program.

Benefits of Child Care Settings

Each care setting has its own benefits. The type of childcare setting you choose depends on your needs and the kind of care you prefer for your child.

Child Care Center	Family Child Care Home	Care from Family, Friends, and Neighbors
A more formal setting designed specifically for children; may be designed for children with special needs More consistent hours of care; not dependent on staff schedules Abides by state requirements for adult to child ratios and staff training Stricter guidelines for health and safety More likely to have connections to wider community resources	Home-like atmosphere, family-like relationship Continuity of care: children have the option of staying with the same caregiver over time Providers determine their own hours and attendance rules, which may provide greater flexibility for families. License requirements  ensure that adults have Tuberculosis clearance and no record of crime or abuse Provider may share cultural and linguistic similarities with children	May be more convenient and responsive to family needs (flexible hours, etc.) Likely to be an existing relationship between family and caregiver Child likely to be in familiar setting with familiar caregiver Very low adult to child ratio Lower chance of illness spread between children (fewer children) Provider may share cultural and linguistic similarities with children

What makes a child care provider a good fit for your child?

Only you can decide which child care setting is right for your child. However, the questions below may help you get a better sense of the kind of care your child will receive in each setting. As you speak with a provider or visit a child care site, consider the questions under the following areas of consideration to better understand the kind of child care program the provider offers.

Adult/Child Interactions

• What are the interactions like between staff and children? Are they warm and welcoming?
• Does it seem like staff enjoy being with the children?
• Are the staff kind to and respectful of each other and the children?

Staff Qualifications

• What experience and training does the provider and staff have working with children? Do they have experience working with children with special needs?
• Does the staff have up to date CPR and First Aid training?

Health and Safety

• Is the area where children play child-proofed (sharp edges are covered, stair cases have gates to prevent falls, radiators have covers, outlets have electrical safety caps, etc.)?
• Are there smoke and carbon monoxide detectors?
• Is the program accredited and licensed?
• What is the adult to child ratio?
• What happens if a child gets sick? 
• What kind of emergency planning does the setting do? Fire drills, earthquake drills, intruder drills, etc.

Opportunities for Child Development and Growth

• Are there options for indoor and outdoor play?
• What is the daily routine? What do the children do during the day?
• What kinds of toys and books are available for children to play with? Are they age appropriate?
• Do children watch TV during the day? What kind of shows are they watching? For how many hours a day are children able to watch TV?
• What languages are spoken during the day?

Policies

• What are the policies for pick-up, drop, off, holidays, illness, etc?
• Are children supervised at all times, including during nap time?
• What is the illness policy? When are families required to keep their child home?
• What are your COVID-19 policies? After how long can a child/ staff member return to work after testing positive for COVID-19?
• What is the cost of the program? Are there any fees associated with additional services (meals, transportation, etc.)?

Other

• Are there opportunities for families to be involved?
• Is there a list of references families can speak with?