There are a wide variety of child care and early education programs available to you.
Family Child Care is care provided in the caregiver’s home typically caring for up
to 6 unrelated children, depending on their ages. For safety reasons, the law requires
that no more than 2 of the children can be under the age of 18 months. Parents choose
family child care because they want to keep their children in a home-like environment.
They prefer to relate to a single caregiver and believe that children are healthier,
happier and more secure in smaller groups. Some parents like having all their children
in the same group, or trust what they learned about the provider from friends. Sometimes
they choose family child care because they find it closer to home, less expensive or
more flexible.
Child Care Centers usually provide more structure and includes daycare nurseries,
preschools, parent cooperatives, and drop-in child care centers. Families often
choose this type of care because they offer children the opportunity to interact
with a larger number of children and adults. Child Care Centers offer programs
to a variety of age groups and vary in terms of educational philosophy, curriculum,
costs and services.
Infant and Toddler Centers are specialized for infants and toddlers.
Infant and toddler care should be based on relationship planning
-- not lesson planning -- and should
emphasize child-directed learning over adult-directed learning.
For care to be good, it must explore ways to help caregivers
get "in tune" with
each infant they serve and learn from the individual infant
what he or she needs, thinks, and feels.
Preschools are often chosen because parents believe that larger groups, multiple
caregivers and state inspections make programs safer for their children and make
the arrangement more dependable. They respect the reputation of the child care
program or the institution sponsoring the program. Many parents believe that more
staff, space, equipment, toys and the organized activities, provides a better learning
environment for their children.
Head Start is a program designed to promote the growth and development of children
from low-income families. Early Head Start provides learning and development
services for families with children up to three years of age. Care can be given
in a center and/or home. The program also offers assistance to children with
special needs as well as career development and training for Head Start parents.
Before and After School Programs are usually located in schools, child care
centers, churches or other settings that offer child care. These programs may
or may not be licensed by the State depending on their location. These programs
usually provide child care to pre-kindergarten through 6th grade children before
and after school, during school vacations and summer breaks.
Relative Care or Friend Care is care provided by a relative or friend you know and trust.
This is a form of license-exempt care which is not required to meet the State’s child
care licensing requirements. License-exempt providers can care for up to 2 children who
are not related to them in addition to their own children or relatives. Parents who use
this kind of care consider themselves lucky to have a relative, friend or neighbor care
for their children. They believe that these caregivers will provide warmer, more loving
care for the child and that the child will be more secure. Many parents believe that
relatives, friends and neighbors will be more likely to share their values and they feel
more comfortable entrusting their children to them. Sometimes parents use this type of
care because their schedules, budgets or transportation problems limit their other child
care options.
In-Home Care is care provided in the child’s home and the provider
is sometimes called a “nanny” or “au pair”. This type of care
is not regulated by the Department of Human Services. Parents
choose in-home care because they believe their children will be
safer and more secure in their own home. They believe that if
they employ the caregiver to work in their home, they have more
control over the kind of care their children will receive. Some
parents find in-home care a more convenient arrangement and may
provide more flexibility. If there are several children involved,
they may find that in-home care is not significantly more expensive
than other forms of care.
