Assessing Quality Checklist
This guide highlights the qualities you should look for when visiting programs.
Finding Care
Finding Child Care: A Guide for Families
You know your child. We know child care and early learning. Use this guide to help you find the right place for your child.
What's Your Type?
When beginning your search for a quality program, it's helpful to know what types of programs may be most appropriate for your child. We've outlined the basics.
Counting the Stars
No two stars are the same. Each Star Rating builds on the next, helping families identify programs preparing their kids to shine.
Checklist: Narrowing Down Your Search
You've used the online search or called Parent Aware and have a list of programs. Now what? Use the Choosing Care Checklist to guide the next steps of your search.
Paying for Child Care
Affording the Care You Want
The cost of care can be the deciding factor when choosing a program for your child.
Specific Care Needs
Children with Special Needs
Some children need additional support. These resources help families access services to help their children grow and develop.
Resources for LGBTQ Families
LGBTQ families may have additional considerations when choosing child care. Use these questions and resources to find a program that is sensitive and respectful.
Early Childhood Growth and Development
These resources support young children’s growth and development.
Health and Safety in Child Care
Health and Safety and Licensing
Licensing helps ensure that child care and early education programs are meeting basic health and safety standards.
Health and Safety in Licensed and Certified Child Care Programs →
Serious Injury Information
States must make information available concerning the aggregate number of deaths, serious injuries and instances of substantiated child maltreatment that occur in child care settings each year.
Additional Resources
Food and Nutrition Programs
Keeping your family fed is important. These programs may be able to help you keep your family healthy.
Housing Assistance
Need help meeting your housing and other daily needs? These services offer child care, nutrition, housing, transportation, and income support.
Covering Health Care Expenses
Need help covering medical and health care costs? These programs might be able to help.
Low-Income Support
There are several programs that offer resources for families struggling to meet basic home and employment needs.
Learn More
Tips for staying involved in your child's care after you've selected a program.
A number of resources to help cover costs of care are available to eligible families.
Ideas families can use to make adjusting to a new routine easier.