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Are you looking for child
care for your child? Some
children thrive in larger
programs, while others do
better in a smaller setting.
You know your child best.
Choose the type of child
care that will be right for
your child. Check several
programs before deciding.
Here are the different types
of child care:
• Family Home Programs
-
These are programs in the
home of a family home
provider. Caregivers who
care for more than three
children, other than their
own, are required to be
registered with the state.
Family home providers can
care for up to six children,
not including their own
children. They have planned
activities on their daily
schedule and need to meet
the state health and safety
requirements.
• Family Group Homes - These
programs can be in homes or
in another facility. There
are at least two caregivers
and no more than twelve
children. They are required
to be licensed and meet
state regulations.
• Child Care Centers -
Programs with more than
twelve children are
considered center programs.
They must be licensed and
meet state guidelines for
staff, health, and safety
requirements.
• Relative/neighbor
caregivers - These
caregivers are someone you
know, perhaps a relative or
a friend, who is willing to
care for your child in her
home. You and your child may
feel good about this
arrangement because you know
the caregiver and are
familiar with her home. To
prevent misunderstandings,
it is important to find out
about activities, schedules,
and payment requirements
ahead of time and to have it
in writing, even with
someone you know.
Before and After School
School will be starting soon
and itís time to make plans
for child care for your
school-age child. Find a
program that is right for
older children. They need
activities and schedules
that differ from
preschoolersí activities and
schedules.
Some things to consider:
• Make sure the caregiver
has training and experience
with school-age children.
• See if the children are
involved in planning the
activities on the daily
schedule.
• Find out if there are
materials for creative
activities and books to
read.
• Are there places for both
indoor and outdoor active
play?
• Do the children have
choices of activities to do?
• Check the schedule to see
if there is time for the
children to unwind after a
long day at school. They
need a chance for active
play before starting on
homework or doing quiet
activities.
• See if breakfast is
offered if your child will
need to eat before school in
the morning.
• Find out if nutritious
after-school snacks are
served each day.
• Is there a place to keep
backpacks, books, or other
school items near the door?
Caregivers can call
1-800-452-9108 to order free
materials from Penn State
Cooperative Extension’s
Better Kid Care Program.
If you have access to the
Internet, look for the
Better Kid Care Web site at
www.betterkidcare.psu.edu
for information about
children.
Penn State Cooperative
Extension’s Better Kid Care
Program offers free
educational materials and
training options for child
care providers in
Pennsylvania. Caregivers can
call 1-800-452-9108 for
information and to order
materials.
Information for parents and
caregivers can be found on
the Better Kid Care Web page
on the Internet at
www.betterkidcare.psu.edu.
Nancy Wilson
Better Kid Care Program
Specialist
Penn State Better Kid Care
Program
253 Easterly Parkway
State College PA 16801
Phone: (814) 863-5880
Fax: (814) 865-7893
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