Child Care Options

Choosing care for your child is one of the hardest decisions you will make as a parent. When making choices about child care, it is important to fully understand your options.

  • Licensed Family Child Care Homes

    - Programs which operate in the caregiver's own home and are required to be licensed by the state. Some family child care providers include children as part of their extended family; others run their programs like a preschool which just happens to be in a home setting. There are no educational requirements for obtaining a family child care license. However, providers are required to take a 15 hour child care health and safety training which includes CPR and first aid. Often care is provided for a mixed age group of children:

  • Small family child care

    - is licensed to care for 6 to 8 children; different age configurations are allowed depending on the number and ages of children in care.

  • Large family child care

    - is licensed to care for 12-14 children; the provider must have a full-time assistant; different age configurations are allowed depending on the number of children in care.

  • Child Care Centers (Preschools, Nursery Schools, School Age Programs)

    - These types of programs operate in non-home facilities. Although generally larger than family child care homes, centers may be large or small and can be operated independently or by a church or other organization. While they vary greatly, they generally have a curriculum and staff with educational backgrounds in early childhood curriculum. In child care centers, most care is full time, hours are less flexible than in family child care and seldom have mixed age groupings in one center.

Non-Regulated Care

  • Nannies/Au Pairs and Babysitters

    - They are usually hired through "agencies" or through word of mouth, and work in the home of the children. You can either check if this person has passed a background screening or get them screened with the California Department of Justice by contacting Trustline at 1-800-822-8490 or www.trustline.org

  • One-Family Child Care Providers

    - Licensing regulations allow that a child care provider may care for the children from one family in the home of the provider without a license. As soon as a child from a second family is added, the provider must be licensed. Trustline is also available if you choose this type of provider.

  • Kith and Kin Care

    - By far, the most popular form of child care is when friends, family and/or relatives offer to help care for children. Kith and kin care works best when you both share a similar parenting style and are comfortable talking about issues which may arise such as discipline, nutrition and attachment.

  • Recreation and School Programs

    - Short term programs run by Recreation Departments and programs run by school districts are sometimes exempt from Licensing Regulations.

Has your provider taken advantage of our free training and support? We have workshops and financial incentives geared specifically for whatever type of caregiver you use.