ccr&r logo NE District Child Care Resource & Referral

Looking for Child Care?| Confidentiality Policy | Types of Child Care | What is High Quality Care? | How to Interview Child Care Providers | Licensing of Child Care Providers | Making Your Decisions | Paying for Child Care | Making Child Care Work | Complaint Policy

Parent Services

Are you a parent looking for a for child care?

 

Selecting a caregiver is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Finding high quality child care is important for your child’s well-being as research shows that high quality child care can have a positive impact on a child’s overall development.

 

Turn to CCR&R for:

Child Care Resource and Referral agencies offer three types of child care referral services:

1. Contact us toll free at 1-800-890-5399 or ccr&r@pinetech.edu  for a FREE individual assistance from a child care referral specialist, who will search for child care that meets your specific needs.

2. Visit our internet self-search program, a FREE online child care database.


3.  An enhanced referral is where the specialist will call the providers for you, and verify the openings that you need.  Please call us for fee information regarding this service @ 1-800-890-5399.

Child Care Resource and Referral agencies make child care referrals, not recommendations. We cannot guarantee the information concerning any providers in our files. We strongly urge parents to interview and check references carefully before leaving a child with a care provider. We do not license, endorse, or recommend any particular provider, nor can we assure you that any provider gives quality care.

Confidentiality Policy(top)

All private information parents or guardians give to the NE District Child Care Resource & Referral, for a child care search, is confidential.  Parent names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses or other information regarding their children will not be shared without written consent.

 

Types of Child Care: (top)

 

You have many options in choosing child care.  Though there is not one type that is the best for all families, you have to select the type of care that will meet the needs of your family and your child.

 

Licensed Family Child Care Home

A licensed family child care home is one where the caregiver has met the minimum requirements for a license to care for children in his/her home.  They are licensed by the county they live in.  Family child care providers are self-employed, and set their own business policies, including rates and contracts. Some advantages of family child care are the home-like environment, interaction of age groups so siblings may be together, and flexible hours.  Some disadvantages are that there may not be children of the same age enrolled in the program, caregivers usually work alone and don’t have a replacement, and care is not supervised on a daily basis.

 

Child Care Centers

Child care centers are licensed by the State, and can provide care for larger groups of children.  They are usually in a separate building, church, school, or other facility such as a community center.  Centers usually group children of the same age together and have a more structured schedule.  Some advantages of center care are more adults to oversee the children, children are with others of the same ages, and there is no need for back up care.  Some disadvantages are the larger setting that may seem impersonal at first, there may be a high staff turnover causing caregivers to change, and day is more structured as far as nap, meal and play times.

 

School-Age Programs

School age programs offer care for children in Kindergarten through sixth grade, before and after school and when school is not is session.  These programs may be located in local schools, community centers, or homes, and may not be required to have a license.  Some advantages of this type of care are the location which may be in the child’s school and frequent group activities and/or field trips.  Disadvantages can be that the children do not have enough of a break from school and that the group may be large in size.

 

Preschool Programs

Preschool programs are usually part day and part week sessions.  These programs are not designed to be primary child care, but to offer an opportunity for the children to prepare for school and interact with other children their age.  These programs are located in their own buildings, community centers and churches.   These programs are usually for children 3 to 5 years old.  Advantages of preschool are the opportunity for children to socialize with other children their own the activities they do that will help prepare them for school.  Disadvantages are the limited hours they are open and the strict policies they may have regarding ages of children they enroll in the program.

 

Family, Friend and Neighbor Care (Legally Unlicensed)

These care givers are limited to care for children that are related to them and/or one unrelated family.  The advantages of using a family member, friend or neighbor to care for children are the home-like setting, you know the provider, schedules may be more flexible, and it may be more affordable.  The disadvantages are that this type of care is unregulated, the group size may be large, there is no training required, and caregiver may be unreliable.

 

In-Home Care

In-home care is where the caregiver comes to hour home or lives with you.  Most in-home providers are friends, family members or nannies.  In-home care givers are not licensed, and may or may not have had any training or experience.  You are their employer, and will be required to pay taxes, withhold Social Security, and provide worker’s compensation insurance and possibly benefits.

 

Child to Adult Ratios
In choosing child care, check the ratios of children to adults. An important indicator of high quality child care is that the number of children per adult provider is small enough so that each child receives sufficient individual attention and care. State licensing has established ratios of the number of children to adult providers that licensed providers must adhere to. Click here to see the various types of child care licenses and the ratios of children to adults.

 

What is high quality child care? (top)


Caregivers have training in child development
Training in child development is very important. The caregiver should understand how children develop, their stages of growth and their behavior at various ages. Although specialized training is a key indicator of quality, it's best to look for a provider who has both training and experience.

Group size is small
Children benefit from the individual attention possible in smaller groups. State licensing rules set standards for how many children of various ages may be cared for by one adult. However, some licensed homes and centers care for fewer children or have more adults to attend to children in smaller groups.

The program is focused on children's needs
The high quality program is responsive to each child. Caregivers are prepared to meet children's physical, social, intellectual and emotional needs as the children grow and change. Differences among children's cultures and needs are respected and celebrated.

The care is consistent
Consistent care from a sensitive, responsive caregiver is the foundation for healthy development, building the child's security, confidence and a sense of well-being. The presence of a regular caregiver and minimal turnover in staff are essential elements of high quality child care.

The program is accredited
Accredited programs have gone above and beyond state licensing requirements. They have taken additional training and meet quality standards set by national organizations. Becoming accredited is voluntary.

For more information on accreditation for child care centers, please visit www.naeyc.org.

For more information on accreditation for family child care programs, please visit www.nafcc.org

  

How to Interview Child Care Providers (top)


As you begin the search for child care, use this parent toolkit when it comes time for:

Telephone interviews of prospective child care providers. Here are some questions to ask over the phone:

Face-to-face interviews of programs you are considering.

Health and Safety

Space and the Environment

Activities and Materials

Interactions

Training and Experience

Security

Program Management

 

Reference checks of providers you are considering. Here is an example of how to introduce yourself and questions to ask when checking references:

 

"My name is ____________________. I am considering ____(PROVIDER'S NAME)____  for my child care. ____(PROVIDER'S NAME)____  gave me your name as a reference. Would you be willing to answer a few questions?"

Here are some questions to ask:

Be sure to ask about any specific areas of concern.

 

Licensing of Child Care Providers (top)

 

During your search for child care, you may wish to contact the county licensor for background information on a provider you are considering. The following list has County, Tribal, and State Licensing numbers.  Child care providers are in Minnesota are governed by rules set by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.  Family child care providers have certain rules that are enforced by the county licensor, and centers have another set of rules that are enforced by a state licensor.

 

A licensed provider means that the program has met the minimum licensing requirements, and does not always mean that the program is high quality.  Licensors do the required background studies, home inspections, and monitor menus, activities, provider training, and enrollment.

 

You can also visit the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) licensing information lookup to access public information on child care programs licensed by DHS.

 

Child care providers are in Minnesota are governed by rules set by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.  Family child care providers have certain rules that are enforced by the county licensor, and centers have another set of rules that are enforced by a state licensor.

 

A licensed provider means that the program has met the minimum licensing requirements, and does not always mean that the program is high quality.

 

Family Child Care Licensing

Aitkin County:                        

218-927-3744

Carlton County:                      

218-879-4583

Cass County:                          

218-547-1340

Chisago County:                     

651-277-0360

Cook County:                         

218-387-3608 Ext. 118

Crow Wing County:               

218-824-1344

Isanti County:                         

763-689-1711

Itasca County:                         

218-327-6153

Kanabec County:                    

320-679-6354

Koochiching County:              

218-283-8405

Lake County:                          

218-834-8426

Mille Lacs County:                 

320-983-8208

Morrison County:                    

320-632-0248 
320-632-0265

Pine County:                           

320-629-5705

St. Louis County – Duluth:   

218-726-2175  
218-726-2176

St. Louis County – Virginia:   

218-742-9528

Todd County:                         

320-732-4530

Wadena County:                     

218-631-7605

 

Tribal Licensing: 

Fond Du Lac Reservation:            

218-878-2138

Leech Lake:                            

800-551-0969

Child Care Center Licensing           

651-296-3971

 

Center Licensing:

The Department of Human Services is responsible for licensing child care centers. They can be reached at (651)296-3971.

 

Making your decision (top)


Review the information you have gathered in each step. Call back if you have any unanswered questions. Trust your instincts. It’s okay to be a choosy parent.

 

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

If you are not comfortable with the programs you have considered, keep looking. Call NE District CCR&R for additional names of providers.

 

If a program that you like is full, consider putting your name on a waiting list in case your current program does not work out.

 

Once you have made your decision, notify the provider that you would like to enroll. As a courtesy, notify the other providers you were considering that you will not be using their programs.

 

 

Paying for Child Care (top)


Average cost of child care
Click here for the average rates charged by family child care providers in your county. For further information, please contact NE District Child Care Resource & Referral at 1-800-890-5399.

Financial aid for child care
Visit the Child Care Financial Aid website to receive an immediate estimate of the benefits and amounts for which you qualify.

 

 

Assistance for Military

The Department of Defense wants to help you pay for child care.  For more information, Click Here.

 

Making child care work (top)


With a little planning, the transition to child care or to a new caregiver can go smoothly. Here are some ideas to help prepare you and your child for this step.

 

 

Communicating with Your Caregiver

 

You and your caregiver are partners in caring for your child. It's very important to everyone — you, your child and the caregiver — that you communicate regularly with one another. Ongoing communication can help you feel more involved with your child's care and help build a solid, trusting relationship.

Touch base with your caregiver at drop-off and at pick-up times. These brief exchanges of important information, such as your child having had a restless night or not wanting to eat much lunch, can help provide a smooth transition between child care and home. In addition, develop a system with your caregiver to get more in-depth information. Some caregivers have a bulletin board or newsletter. You can also talk on the phone, exchange notes or schedule meetings.

What you can do

What the caregiver can do

 

Monitoring your child's program

 

You are the best judge of whether a program is working for your child and family. That's why it is very important that you monitor your child's program continuously. Caregivers should welcome parent visits at any time. However, keep in mind that certain times of the day are very busy and the caregiver may have limited time to spend with you.

 

How to monitor

As children grow, their needs change. Programs and enrollments may also change over time. It's important to evaluate your choice of care regularly.

 

The Minnesota Parental Leave Law

State law allows you to leave work to attend a child's conference or activity. You may also leave work to drop in on your child care provider. Try to arrange time off with your employer in advance. The parental leave law applies to all employees in Minnesota and allows them up to 16 hours of unpaid leave in a year. This law applies to all children (from birth through twelfth grade) who are in a family child care home; a child care center; a half-day or preschool program; Head Start; pre-kindergarten; regular or special education; or school.

 

Contract with Your Provider

Many child care providers have a written contract that outlines expectations of both the provider and the parents. Read the contract carefully before signing it. If you both agree, the contract can be changed to accommodate your wishes.

Contracts typically address the following:

 

Complaints and Customer Service (top)

 

Our agency will provide parents with a list of child care providers.  This list will be based on the answers to questions parents answer over the telephone.  All information we give to parents about a child care program, comes from the caregiver.  We update this information over the telephone at least one time each year.  Openings and enrollment are updated approximately every eight weeks.

 

We suggest you call several child care providers before deciding who will care for your child(ren). Ask the providers questions about their child care business.  Ask if you can visit their programs. The Northeast Child Care Resource & Referral does not license child care providers.  We cannot recommend child care providers.  We do not guarantee that parents will find a quality child care program when care is needed.

 

Child Care Resource & Referral strives to give all our customers correct information and all the resources they need.  We keep all information we gather confidential.  We also are committed to promoting high education and resources & services to all parents, providers and community members we work with.

 

Child Care Resource & Referral is dedicated to providing high quality education, information and services to all those we serve.  We serve parents, child care providers and community members. We try to provide accurate, timely and many related resources that meet our customers' needs. All customers are treated with courtesy and respect. We will treat confidential information appropriately and resolve any concerns, problems, inquiries or complaints quickly.

 

When the NE District CCR&R receives a complaint about our services, the person filing the complaint is treated kindly and with respect.  If the complaint can be handled by the staff member who has been contacted, a resolution may be immediate.  In that case, a verbal report is given to the Program Director.  However, the person making the complaint is also given the choice of talking with the Program Director directly.  The Program Director will discuss the situation, and if necessary, take action.  If the problem cannot be resolved at this point, the next levels of supervision will address the needs of the customer.

 

Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) documents and refers complaints pertaining to licensed child care homes and child care centers according to the following two classifications: 1. Maltreatment of Minors 2. Child Care Licensing. Maltreatment complaints are directed to the appropriate child protection agency. Licensing complaints are directed to the appropriate licensing agency.