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Home > Family
Services > Searching
for Quality Child Care
> Types
of Care
The
first big decision facing you is the type of care you want for your
child. Perhaps the hominess of a family child care home appeals to
you, or the chance for socialization in a child care center. Each
form of care has something to offer your family.
- Licensed
Child Care Centers
Child
Care Centers serve more than eight (8) children in a facility There
are day care centers for infants and toddlers, preschoolers and
school-age children during non school hours. Hours and fees will
vary from center to center. These facilities are inspected on a
regular basis by the Department of Public Health and the Office of
the State Fire Marshal. The Department of Children and Family
Services set minimum standards for staff qualifications, programs
and activity requirements for group size and child to staff ratio.
This category includes nursery schools, preschools and school-age
children. Staff – Directors must be at least 21 years old and have
2 years of college credits with 18 hours in child care or Child
Development Association Credential (CDA) and 12 credits in child
care. Teachers must have at least 2 years of college credits with 6
hours in child care, or a CDA credential. Assistance of aids are not
required by to have any training and are not allowed to be alone
with the children.
To
review licensing agencies and staff-to-child ratios for centers in
your state, check out the National
Child Care Information Center website and click on your state.
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- Licensed
Family Day Care Homes
Family
day Care Homes serve more than three (3), up to a maximum of sixteen
(16) children under the age of fourteen in a home setting. This
includes the provider’s own and related children. Family Day care
is the closest thing to a child’s own family experience because
the child has an opportunity to a home setting. Hours and fees vary.
The Department of Children and family services sets standards for
staff requirements, minimum health and safety, group size and ages
of children which can be served. The Family day care home is
designed to be less structured and children have more flexibility to
play and rest on different schedules.
- School-age
care options
- Part-time
schedule options
- Flexible
schedules
- Option
to allow siblings to stay together
When
looking for a family child care provider, it’s important to be
comfortable with the home, the children, and the caregiver. When you
visit a family child care program, look at the activities the
children are doing, see how the children fit in with the rest of the
family, check out the space the children have to play in, and ask a
lot of questions.
Most,
but not all, states require family child care homes to be licensed
or registered. Experts say you should look for a situation where
there are no more than six children for each adult. To check on
provider-to-child ratios in your state, go to the National
Child Care Information Center website and click on your state.
If the home caregiver is licensed, he is required to have a certain
amount of training in the early childhood field.
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- Relative
and Friends Care
Having
a relative or a friend care for your child -- in your home or theirs
-- is an option for some families. In general, family and friends
care arrangements are not regulated, and you can work out creative
pay arrangements, such as reciprocal care. Remember that if you hire
a friend, you need to talk to an accountant about your tax
obligations and other IRS requirements.
As
with any child care arrangement, be sure to discuss your mutual
expectations in advance, including such concerns as the schedule of
care, payment or other compensation, discipline, nutrition, TV
policy, safety, toilet training, and more. Good communication with
caregivers is important in the success of any child care situation,
but is critical with relatives and friends because of the personal
nature of your relationship with them.
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- In-Home
Child Care
-
Child
Care provided in the home of the child.
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- Preschools
or Nursery Schools
-
Preschools
are licensed and regulated by individual states, and are generally
a good child care option for parents who are looking for a social
and learning environment for their child on a morning or afternoon
schedule. Preschools enroll children aged two years nine months to
five years of age, and may run on a school-year calendar. There
are various types of preschool programs available, from a
traditional program to a program that follows a Montessori or
Reggio Emilia approach. Knowing your child and her needs will help
you to determine what type of preschool environment will suit her
best.
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- School
Age Program
-
School-age
care is care that is provided for children aged 5 years to 11
years of age. This type of care can be found in a public or
private school setting, as well as in recreation centers, or
child care centers. There is usually one director and a staff of
teachers, all trained in school-age care and related activities.
Group sizes are determined by state regulations, and programs
are licensed by individual states. Most programs run on a
school-year calendar.
School-age
care can be provided in the afternoon (after school hours) and in
the mornings (before school begins). In some cases, transportation
and meals are provided as well.
School-Age
Program Checklist
- Is
there enough freedom for your child in terms of space, time
and choice
- Is
there enough opportunity for your child to unwind, relax and
be alone?
- Are
there children of the same age and interest level with whom
your child can interact and develop friendships?
- Is
there time for your child to practice problem-solving in play
and free choice of activities?
- Can
your child practice and develop physical skills?
- Are
there opportunities for your child to be creative?
- Are
healthy snacks available that meet the needs of active,
growing school-ager
- Is
transportation provided? To and from what schools?
Does
the provider offer full day programs on school vacations and
holidays?
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- Head
Start Programs
-
Head
Start is a national program, which provides comprehensive
developmental services for low-income, pre-school children ages
three-five and social services for their families. Specific
services for children focus on education, socio-emotional
development, physical and mental health and nutrition. The
cornerstone of the program is parent and community involvement
which has made it one of the most successful pre-school programs
in the country.
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- ISBE
Pre-Kindergarten Programs
The
Illinois State Board of Education provides funding for pre-school
programs administered through local school districts. These programs
are usually half-day, although some programs have recently expanded
to include wrap around child care services. Pre-kindergarten
programs place a high priority on family involvement. Often the
program includes a home visit component. Criteria for admittance to
these programs varies by school district and not all school
districts offer pre-kindergarten services.
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- Licensed
Exempt Centers
These
include programs operated by public or private elementary school
system, high school or institution of higher learning as well as
programs conducted on federal premises. These also include programs
recognized with the Illinois State Board of Education, if children
in the program are over the age of Three (3).
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- Licensed
Exempt Homes
Care
is provided in the individual’s home where there are no more than
three (3) unrelated children under the age of Twelve (12) ,
including the providers own children
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