Family
Questions to ask when choosing a childcare provider
Licensing records are public in every state, and most of what distinguishes providers is visible on a visit if you know what to look at.
Every state licenses childcare providers and publishes inspection results, including violations and how they were resolved. Looking a provider up before visiting takes a few minutes and frames the questions worth asking in person.
On a visit, staff turnover and the ratio of adults to children tell you more than the premises do. Asking how long the staff in that room have been there, and what the ratio is at the busiest part of the day, gives a realistic picture.
Written policies on illness, medication, discipline, late collection and fee increases prevent most later disagreements. A provider that has them in writing and hands them over without being pressed is telling you something useful.
Ask about the waiting list, the deposit and what is refundable. Childcare is frequently arranged months ahead, and the deposit terms are where families lose money when plans change.
What to do next. Look the provider up in your state's licensing database before visiting, and ask for the written policies to take away.
studentaid.gov outranks this page. Rules, figures and dates change
between academic years. This is written to help you read the official sources, not to
stand in front of them. Start there.
Nothing here is a determination. We cannot tell you what you qualify
for, and no website can. The programme and the office that runs it decide that, after
you apply.
Still have a question?
Describe what you are trying to work out and a member of the team will answer, or direct you to the office that makes the decision.