Child Care
Choosing a Child Care
Provider
There are a variety of types of providers that you can
choose.
It is important that you choose a provider whom you feel
comfortable withand whom we can approve. For example, we
cannot approve a child care provider who cannot work legally in the
U.S., is not a close relative (see list of approved relatives
below), or who has been convicted of certain crimes or lives with
someone who has been convicted of certain crimes (such as a
misdemeanor against a person, a felony, or substantiated child
abuse or neglect report)
There is a Child Care Resource and Referral agency available in
your area that can help you find a provider who best meets your
children’s needs.
They can also give you information about what to look for when
choosing good child care. For more information, click on this link:
Child
Care Resource and Referral
You may choose to use the following types of providers:
- Licensed and/or nationally accredited Centers (can
care for 16+ children)
- Licensed Family Group (can care for up to 16 children)
- Licensed Family Home (can care for up to 8 children)
- Residential Certificate (can care for up to 8
children)
- License-exempt center programs (such as a before- or
after-school program that is not required to be licensed)
You may also select the following relatives:
- The child’s brothers or sisters who are at least 18
years of age and who live in a different location than the child receiving
care.
- The child’s grandparents or step-grandparents.
- The child’s aunts, step-aunts, uncles, or step-uncles.
- The relative must agree to meet minimum health and
safety requirements and sign a Provider Registration and Health and Safety
Certificate (Form PR01). The provider and anyone over the age of 12
living with the provider must also pass a background check.
- The child may be cared for either at your home or the provider’s
home.
