Finding Child Care

Child Care Options

Your options for child care include child care centers, family child care, and in-home care.

Step 1   Contact an Action for Children child care consultant by sending an e-mail to referrals@actforchildren.org or by calling (312) 823-1100.

Step 2   A Child care consultant will work to meet your needs and preferences and help you find a child care arrangement for your family. Illinois Action for Children keeps all information confidential. Information obtained from parents are used for referrals and statistical purposes only.

Step 3   You will receive a packet of materials that includes a customized list of child care options, child development fact sheets, and general guidelines to help you choose the best program and provider for your child. Please note that the list of child care options contains referrals, not recommendations.

Step 4   Illinois Action for Children does not license, monitor or endorse any provider. We recommend that you visit several programs before you sign up with one, to make sure you feel comfortable with both the setting and the caregiver.

Step 5  To ensure the safety of children in child care settings, Illinois Action for Children has a complaint policy for providers as well as CCR&R staff.

To verify a complaint about a provider was founded to be true by DCFS, parents can call this statewide toll free number (877) 746-0829. For a complete review of the complaint policies, please refer to the Policies section.

Download our "First Steps: Child Care Options" brochure: English or Spanish

Child Care Checklists
The following checklists are design to help you find the best child care, based on your needs:

• Infant and Toddler
• Preschool
• Kindergarten
• School-Age
• Special Needs
• Non-Traditional
• Summer Camp
  

Child Care Consultant Hours
Monday-Thursday 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Friday 8:30 am-12:30 pm

Overview -

Child Care Centers
Child care centers provide care for groups of children in licensed or license-exempt facilities. Children are usually grouped by age. The types of centers may include: Early Head Start/Head Start, State Pre-Kindergarten, school-age programs, preschools, summer programs and before/after school care. Licensed centers have met Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) standards for child-to-staff ratios, required space per child, safety guidelines and staff training. Centers that may not require licensing include: those that care for children three years and older and are affiliated with universities, churches, government agencies and public schools.

Child to staff ratios for licensed facilities:

6 weeks - 15 months	4:1
15 months - 2 years	5:1
2 - 3 years	8:1
3 - 4 years	10:1
5 years and up	20:1

Family Child Care
Home providers offer care for children in a caregiver’s home. The three types of family care include licensed homes, group homes and license-exempt homes. Licensed homes and group homes have met DCFS standards for child ratios, required space per child and safety guidelines.

With some exceptions, licensed home providers may care for up to eight children including their own, or up to 12 children with an assistant. Call for specific details.

With some exceptions, licensed group home providers may care for 12 or more children with the help of a full-time qualified assistant. Call for specific details.

License-exempt homes provide care for three or fewer children, or children from one family, or children related to the provider.

In-home Care
In-home care brings a caregiver into your own home. This type of care is not regulated by DCFS licensing standards. An in-home care provider may be a nanny, a relative or an au pair.

Financial Assistance Options and Other Programs

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): A refundable credit for people who work but do not earn high incomes. This tax credit allows eligible taxpayers to lower their taxes or receive refunds.

IDHS Assistance program: This program allows parents to select a provider of their choice if the provider is willing to accept payments through IDHS.

IDHS Site Administered Child Care Assistance Program: These child care centers contract with the IDHS child care assistance program to provide slots at their center to eligible families.

Military Families: Affordable, quality child care is available for military families. Military families have access to financial assistance programs:

• Operating Military Child Care: This program supports the temporary needs of National Guard, Reserve and Active Duty service to members parents/legal guardians who area activated or deployed.
   
• Military Child Care in your Neighborhood: Supports non-deployed active duty military families with the cost of high quality child care outside of military installations or where military child care is limited.
  

DCFS Foster Care Assistance Program: These programs are for all children in foster care or/ Wards of the state. Foster parents must apply for assistance through their caseworker.
 
Head Start Program: This is a federally funded early childhood program for 3-5 year olds. This program provides early learning stimulation for children and encourages parent involvement. This program is based on the annual household income and family size.

Preschool for All: Preschool for All offers a free high quality 2 ½ hour preschool program for 3 and 4 year-olds. The program is expanding to serve all families in Illinois who choose to enroll their children. Priority is given to children from low-income families and those who are considered at risk of academic failure.
Scholarship Sliding Fee: These child care providers/ programs may have funding to provide scholarships for some qualifying parents or may negotiate the rates depending on parents income, hours in care or special circumstances.

Multi Child Discount: Programs that offer discounts to families enrolling more than one child in the same facility.

FCC (Family Child Care with Negotiable Rates): The provider or program may assess a rate that corresponds with family size and income level or may provide a reduced rate. Providers are not mandated to give reduced rates it is up to their discretion.

Quality Indicators

Parents are also provided with quality indicators to help them identify quality care that will meet their needs. Examples of quality indicators:

• Educational activities, based on the age of the child
• Low ratio of children to staff
• Children are supervised at all times
• Nutritious meals and snacks
• Caregivers and children wash their hands before and after meals and toileting
• Parent involvement is encouraged
• A curriculum is set to focus on the child’s language, social, emotional, physical and cognitive needs
• Toys are sanitized daily
• Caregivers received CPR and First Aid Training
• Parents are asked to participate in group outings
• Parents are greeted and welcome in the classroom at all times
• Accredited programs have met the quality standards set by National Organizations
• Often, smaller size group programs provides more one on one attention
• Providers references are available upon request
• Open communication between the parent and provider is encouraged
• Caregivers has worked in current child care setting for at least a year