Child Care Resources
Selecting a Child Care Provider
Child care providers are responsible for providing an atmosphere conducive to child safety, growth, and development. Parents are responsible for selecting programs that are appropriate for their children. By working together, child care providers and parents can ensure a bright future for children.
Listed below are the four types of state regulated child care programs available. As a parent, you should choose the program that meets your family's needs.
Day Care Center - a state-certified facility providing care for seven or more children.
Group Day Care Home - a state-certified facility providing care for no more than 12 children.
Family Day Care Home - a state-certified family residence with one caregiver providing care for up to six children unrelated to the caregiver.
Nursery - a part-time preschool facility licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
When selecting a program, visit at a time of day when the children should be active, such as in the morning. Take your child along and do not hesitate to ask questions. Review and use this checklist as a guide and choose the program with which you are most comfortable.
- Four Steps to Selecting a Child Care Provider
- Child Care Facilities Checklist
- Child Care Centers at Commonwealth Campuses
- Child Care Facilities in Centre County
- Centre County Family Day Care Home Providers
Student-Parent Child Care Assistance
Penn State's Office of Human Resources offers a child care subsidy program for qualifying low-income undergraduate student parents enrolled in a degreed program at all 24-Penn State University locations. Funding for graduate student families is available at the University Park campus location.
Caring Foundation of Central Pennsylvania
Blue CHIP of Pennsylvania
BlueCHIP is a low-cost or free, state supported health care program that is administered in Central Pennsylvania by the Caring Foundation of Central Pennsylvania. Capitol Blue Cross and Pennsylvania Blue Shield benefits are provided to eligible children who meet age and income requirements.
For your child(ren) to be eligible for this assistance they must be:
- Age 15 or younger
- State residents for more than 30 days
- Ineligible or not enrolled in Medical Assistance or any other insurance program
Your family income must also fall within certain levels.
For income guidelines and more information, please call the Caring Foundation of Pennsylvania at 1-800-KIDS-101 or 1-800-543-7101.
Links
- Better Kid Care
- Child Care Directory
- Keystone Stars
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- National Association for Family Child Care
- National AfterSchool Association
- National Child Care Info Center
- Network for Child Care
- Kids Health
- Teen Growth
Additional Resources
