Congregations Caring for Children

Types of Child Care Programs

Types of Child Care Programs

Types of Child Care Programs

Types of Child Care Programs

Types of Child Care Programs

No two child care facilities are exactly alike.

From a large child care center to a neighbor's

home to care in someone's own living room  

many choices are open to parents seeking quality

child care.

Generally, child care programs fall into the following categories:

Child care centers provide care in larger facilities and have structured hours of

operation.  Each child care center serves an average of 49 children.

Family day care homes provide child care in the home of the provider.  Family

child care homes are described as small or large, depending on the number and

ages of children cared for, but can serve no more than 14 children.

Licensed and license exempt child care   Most family child care homes and

child care centers are required to be licensed by the state.  Licensing establishes

requirements for staff rations, training, and health and safety conditions.

Some types of child care do not require a license   and are referred to as license 

exempt care.  This includes care by a relative, care in a child's own home, some

public recreation programs, care for school age children at their own school, and

care in a provider's home when the provider cares for children from one other

family besides the provider's own.

Infant/Toddler   Child care for pre kindergarten children is typically divided

into infant care, toddler care, and preschool age care.  School age care refers to

before  and after school care for children from kindergarten through Grade 9.

Preschool is a classroom based, enriched learning experience for children ages 3

and 4 who are not yet attending kindergarten.  It is usually part day and often is

closed during the summer.  The California Department of Education funds state

preschool programs, as does the federal government through Head Start.  Some

preschools (both public and private) offer additional hours of care to provide

full day care for children of working parents.

Publicly subsidized care refers to child care that is paid for in part or in full with

government funds.  Subsidies can take different forms, including government 

contracted programs and vouchers paid to providers chosen by the parents.

Most California programs also have a sliding fee scale for parents.  For profit and

nonprofit providers may or may not choose to accept clients supported with

government subsidies.

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