WHAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU?  

Finding child care requires a. careful search for the right program and provider.

Child care settings in Virginia are usually one of the following:

• A licensed family day care home: provides care for six to nine children in a private home licensed by the state.

• A licensed family dare care system: A system of family day care homes monitored by an agency licensed by the state.

• A locally approved family day care provider: meets care giving standards of a local social service agency.

• An unlicensed family day care home: cares for fewer than six children in the provider's home and is not inspected by the state.

• An in home care arrangement: someone comes to or lives in your home to care for your child.

• Registered family day care home: a home which has registered with a state or local agency in order to be eligible for funds and training.

• A licensed child care center: cares for two or more children in a setting other than a private home and is inspected by the state.

• An unlicensed child care center: may be run by a church.

HOW DO YOU FIND OUT IF A CHILD CARE CENTER OR FAMILY DAY CARE HOME IS LICENSED?

• Ask to see the license from the Department of Social Services.

• Call your regional licensing office. See the back page of this book for addresses and telephone numbers.

Your regional licensing office can also give you information about licensed centers in your area. Call them to find out if the licensed center or family day care home you are considering has a history of complaints or violations of standards.

SOURCES TO HELP YOU FIND CHILD CARE

• Friends and neighbors

   

• Local newspapers and telephone directories

   

• Bulletin boards

   

• United Way Agencies

   

• Resource and Referral programs. Check your local telephone directory to see if there is one in your area.

   

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