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• Types of Child Care Options

Types of Child Care Options

   Each child care option offers something different in environment, experience and relationship.  You need to determine which option is best for your child. 

Child Care Centers -  Child care centers include day care centers, preschools, nursery schools, before and after school programs, and Head Start programs. Centers are required to be licensed with the State of Michigan, Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing.

Group Day Care Homes - Homes in which two or more adults provide care for up to 12 children. These homes require a license with the State of Michigan, Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing.
 
Family Day Care Homes - Homes where an adult cares for one to six children. Family homes must be registered with the State of Michigan, Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing.

Relative Care Provider - A child’s grandparent, great grandparent, aunt, uncle, great aunt or great uncle, or adult brother or sister who provides care in their home and does not live with the child. Relative providers must be at least 18 years old and enrolled with the Department of Human Services to receive child care payments from the State.

Day Care Aide - A person you employ to care for your child(ren) in your home. Aides must be at least 18 years old and enrolled with the Department of Human Services to receive child care payments from the State.

In Home Child Care - In-home child care may take a variety of forms from professional nannies to teen-age sitters.  Caregivers may have little or no formal training or they may have an extensive background in child development.  They may live in your home or they may come only at scheduled times.   

Email an Early Childhood Consultant to answer any questions you may have about the qualities and characteristics of the options or give us a call at  (517)887-4319 or toll free at (800)234-6996.