Tulare County Office of Education - Child Care Educational Program

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Types of Child Care

As you begin your search for child care, think about the type of child care you want for your child. Tulare County Child Care Resource & Referral Services does not advocate one type of care over the other.

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 Homes
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.

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 explain their fees, policies 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 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.

License 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.

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.