Introduction Part 2

Author: An G

2008-09-30 Word Count: 860 Category: Parental Care

Types of Child Care

Many parents believe that child care is child care, and they are unaware of the different types or which type they use. Listed here are the different options for child care and their definitions.

• Unlicensed Child Care – This is the child care option that is the lowest on the quality scale, however could be high on the financially appealing scale. For many this is the only option for child care due to cost; this type of care is usually less expensive than licensed child care. Unlicensed child care is limited to family child care in someone’s home. When a home-based child care is unlicensed, it means it has not been approved by any local or state licensing agency, or has not met licensing standards. This could mean many different things. The facility is too small, has health or safety violations, or has too many children being cared for. It could also mean that the person who owns and operates the child care just doesn’t wish to be licensed, due to cost or other reasons. If you choose to have your child in an unlicensed child care, find out why the facility is unlicensed. Also note that each state has a maximum number of children allowed to attend an unlicensed child care at one time, as with any child care facility.

• Self-Certified Child Care – In some states, a home-based child care may become self-certified without having to go through licensing standards. When a child care is “self-certified” it means the owner/operator agrees to comply with all licensing regulations by signing an agreement. If you choose to have your child in a self-certified child care, find out why the facility is choosing not to go through licensing procedures. Also note that each state has a maximum number of children allowed to attend a self-certified child care at one time, as with any child care facility.

• Licensed Child Care – This is a facility that has undergone licensing requirements in order to operate. A licensed child care can be either a center or a family (home-based) child care. Licensing requires an inspection by social services as well as a health and safety inspection performed by the city. These inspections occur on a yearly basis for most states. If a child care facility is licensed, they should have a license displayed on the premises for all parents to view. One thing to note is that a child care facility that is licensed only meets minimum requirements. If a licensed facility fails to meet minimum requirements, the license may be revoked, or the facility may receive a correction order which must be rectified in order to be relicensed. Note that licensed child care is usually a higher quality child care, but being licensed does not guarantee that a child care is high quality.

• Child Care Center – This is a facility that is a separate building used specifically for the care of children. It may be attached to a workplace, in a commercial strip mall, or in a home that is strictly used for the business itself. All child care centers are licensed and regulated by the state in order to be operated.

Parents, are you looking for quality daycare or childcare? Are you looking for someone who’s more than a babysitter? Wondering what your states standards and regulations are? Want your children to get a good early childhood education from a teacher who cares and is qualified? Have you checked out your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (CCR&R) for quality childcare?

I’ve also written a book because of my experiences in teaching and, most importantly, my experiences teaching in child care. I’ve always been one to demand excellence in everything I do and from everyone I encounter. The fact that child care is less than excellent keeps me searching for a way to improve the standards that aren’t meeting my, and hopefully your expectations.

I am just one of many professionals who have worked over the years to achieve excellence in child care. I have always been one to make sure I have the facts before making assumptions or conclusions about any topic. With that mind, the book I've written is a compilation of the research I have studied, along with my personal experiences that I have used to draw conclusions about the state of child care in the United States. Although I may refer to other countries, it is merely to compare and contrast what I feel is a noteworthy fact about what other countries are doing to support the future of their country.

I always thought that if I’m a good teacher and a good role model, then others will follow suit and step up to the challenge of creating quality child care, and that it would be enough. I’ve always hoped that there are more people out there that have the same standards I do and are creating the same quality than not, but the more I teach, the more I find this isn’t the case.

Angie