Experienced child care specialists are available to:

• Advise on child care issues
• Assess child care needs
• Explain child care options
• Monitor the quality of child care programs
• Provide customized child care referrals and resource materials
• Provide information on community services and resources

Contact our Referral Specialist today at 815-484-9442 ext. 224.

Or download a form:

Download our Child Care Referral Intake Form
Download our Spanish Child Care Referral IntakeForm

Family Child Care

Some families choose for their child to be cared for in a home-like setting. Family child care providers fulfill this need by offering care for children in their homes.

Licensed Family Child Care providers* may care for up to eight children (including their own), or up to 12 children with an assistant.

Licensed Family Child Care Group Home providers* may care for up to 16 children (including their own) with the help of a full-time assistant.

License-Exempt Family Child Care providers (such as Family, Friend and Neighbor care) may care for three or fewer children (including their own), or children from one family.

*Licensed family child care providers, and licensed family child care group home providers must meet Illinois Department of Children and Family Services standards for health and safety including, child to staff ratios and required space per child.

Child Care Centers

Child Care Centers provide care for groups of children outside of a residential setting. Children are usually grouped by age. Types of centers include: child care, Early Head Start/Head Start, State pre-kindergarten, preschools, school-age programs, and summer programs.

Licensed Child Care Centers must meet Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) standards for health and safety including child to staff ratios and required space per child. For licensed centers the following staff to child ratios and maximum group sizes are set by DCFS.

Licensed-Exempt Child Care Centers are also recognized by Illinois, such as those serving children 3 years and older and operated by public or private elementary or secondary schools, faith based organizations, institutions of higher education of other accredited schools registered with the Illinois State Board of Education. Since these settings are not licensed they are not held to standards for health and safety, staff to child ratios or maximum group size set by DCFS.

Play & Learn

Quality Child Care offers many opportunities for all children to play each day. Counting, reading skills and problem solving are just a few things learned through play. Here’s a Tip: Look for a provider who focuses on all aspects of your child’s development including language, social, emotional, physical and cognitive.

Qualifications

There are different caregiver qualifications for different child care settings. Training, education, experience and credentials prepare a child care provider to meet your child’s development needs. Here’s a Tip: Request a provider’s qualifications and references to learn more about their child care experience.

Positive Interactions

A quality child care provider guides children, helping them to get along with others in caring positive ways, and encourages you to be involved as well.  Here’s a Tip: Look for a provider who is enthusiastic, attentive and encouraging.

Program Quality

All licensed child care programs are part of the ExceleRate™ Illinois Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS). Programs can earn a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Circle of Quality or a national accreditation award by meeting voluntary standards for quality child care that are higher than the state licensing requirements. Here’s a Tip: Ask the provider if their program has an ExceleRateTM Illinois Circle of Quality or is accredited.

Environments

A quality child care environment is safe, clean and provides children with many learning opportunities.

Financial Assistance

The Illinois Department of Human Services Child Care Assistance Program provides financial help for families who meet income and work or
education/training requirements. Here’s a Tip: To find out if you qualify for help with your child care costs, click here.

Funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services