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Looking for Child Care? >Types
of Child Care
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Child Care Referrals
Types of programs and providers fall into the following categories:
- Licensed Child Care
Centers
- Family Child Care Homes
- License-exempt Programs
- Exempt Providers
Licensed Child Care Centers
Licensed Child Care Centers may operate four types of licenses:
Infant Care: Licensed to care
for children ages birth up to two years of age, they are required to
maintain a ratio of one adult to four infants.*
Preschool Care: Licensed to
care for children ages two to enrolled in kindergarten, they are required
to maintain a ratio of one adult to every twelve children.*
School Age Care: Licensed to
care for children who are enrolled in kindergarten up to age thirteen,
they are required to maintain a ratio of one adult to every fourteen
children.
Mildly Ill: Licensed to provide
non-medical care to mildly ill children of all ages. Level I programs
operate as components of Child Care Centers and may serve only those
children in the regular program. Level II centers are free-standing
facilities and may care for children with contagious conditions.
*Note: Infant and preschool centers can apply for a Toddler Option,
which allows the center to add a classroom of children ages 18 months
to 30 months, with a ratio of one adult to six children. Parent permission
must be given for placement of a child into or out of the Toddler Option
class.
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Family Child Care Homes
Family Child Care Homes are licensed to operate:
Small Family Child Care Homes: Licensed to care for up to
eight children—two of the children must be at least six years
old and no more than two infants under two years of age are cared for
when more than six children are present; or six children with a limit
of three infants under two years of age; or four infants only. This
count includes the provider's children under the age of ten.
Large Family Child Care Homes: Licensed to care for up to
fourteen children—two of the children must be at least six years
old and no more than two infants are cared for when more than six children
are present; or twelve children with a limit of four infants under two
years of age. This count includes the provider's children under the
age of ten. A second caregiver must be present whenever more than eight
children are present.
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License-Exempt Programs
License-Exempt Programs are exempt from licensing regulations for the
following reasons:
- Programs are operated on public school sites
- Programs are located at a private elementary school that cares for
more than 95 percent of their own children
- Programs are operated on Federal property.
Exempt Provider
Exempt Provider is an individual who takes care of the children of only
one family other than their own. If the family being cared for is receiving
assistance with their child care costs, the provider must obtain a background
check through the Trustline Program. The exceptions to this requirement
are grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
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