Tulare County Office of Education - Child Care Educational Program

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Finding Quality Child Care

Finding the right child care can be a difficult job for parents. The child care arrangement you select will depend on your needs, where you live, your monthly income, the hours you work and the number and ages of your children.

The Child Care Resource & Referral Services Library can refer you to various options. Call (559) 651-0862 or (800) 613-6262.

Child care options include in-home care, family child care, and group or center-based care. Some child care is licensed and some is not. Licensing does not insure quality, but it does provide guidelines for health and safety.

Several factors contribute to quality child care:

The caregiver should provide warm and loving care, maintain a good relationship with you and your family and encourage your child to develop and learn to the best of his/her ability.
The setting, whether a home or center, should be pleasant and keep your child safe, secure and healthy.
The licensing requirements should be followed and maintained.
Activities should be available to help your child develop mentally, physically, socially and emotionally.

In-Home Care

With in-home care, the person caring for your child comes into your home. This is an ideal arrangement for parents who have more than one or two children needing care, who work late hours or wish to have their children remain at home while they are away. This kind of care is not licensed, but you can use TrustLine to find out important background information about the caregiver. License-exempt providers can register with TrustLine if they have no criminal convictions or substantiated child abuse reports. For information, call TrustLine at 1-800-822-8490.

Family Child Care

Family child care is offered in the home of the caregiver. Family child care homes are licensed for either 8 or 14 children by the State of California through Community Care Licensing. The maximum number of children depends on the number of infants and school-age children cared for in the home.

If the provider is licensed for 14, an assistant is required when there are more than 6 or 8 children in attendance (depending on whether the provider uses the school-age option). The provider's own children under the age of 12 are included in the licensed capacity when they are in the home.

Family child care homes operate as small businesses, and each provider has his/her own policies. Most providers have a written contract for parents that explains their fees, polices for payment, sick days, vacations, etc.

Some family child care providers care for children of all ages, while some restrict their age groupings. Some provide evening, weekend or overnight care. Some providers care for children only at scheduled times while others welcome drop-ins. Some provide transportation to and from school. Some offer planned educational activities while others offer a more flexible, home-like routine.

Community Care Licensing
770 E. Shaw, Suite 330
Fresno
(559) 445-5700

Child Care Centers

Child care centers offer child care in a large group setting. There are a variety of types of centers in Tulare County, including full-time centers, part-time enrichment programs, parent co-ops, church-sponsored centers, private centers and publicly funded programs.

Child care centers are licensed by the State of California through Community Care Licensing.

Child care center staff includes a director, teachers and aides. Staffing ratios specify a minimum of 1 adult for every 12 children.

Publicly funded child care centers enroll families using a sliding fee schedule based on income. Private child care centers set their own fees.

Community Care Licensing
770 E. Shaw, Suite 330
Fresno
(559) 445-5700

Before and After School Programs

Programs are available at many elementary schools, community centers and other sites for parents who need child care before school begins, after school ends, or when children are off-track. Some programs are subsidized according to family income. Some are not required to be licensed.

Licensed-Exempt Providers

Providers who care for only one other family besides their own are not required to be licensed. Children go to the provider's home for care. Providers can register through TrustLine. For information, call TrustLine at 1-800-822-8490.

Making the Choice

Before making a final decision, be sure to take the time to visit each facility. Recent studies have shown that group size and staff/child ratios are indicators of quality. When you visit the center or home, ask about the ages and numbers of children and the ratio of children to adults. Take your child with you and observe the children enrolled.

Ask yourself, "Do I feel confident that my child will be safe and happy and treated with respect and affection?"

Check to see if there are sufficient age appropriate toys and equipment and a variety of activities available for your child.

Regardless of what type of child arrangement you make, take the time to make a careful choice. Quality child care is important.

For additional information, check the "for Parents" link under Resource & Referral Services.

For more information, contact the Resource & Referral Services Lending Library at (559) 651-0862 or (800) 613-6262.

Tulare County Office of Education
Child Care Educational Program
7000 Doe Avenue, Suite C
Visalia, CA 93291

Ray Chavez, Administrator
(559) 651-3022
fax: (559) 651-3802

Please direct web site problems or comments to tcoeweb@tcoe.org.