Choose A Provider

Child Care Health & Safety

Basic things to look for when choosing child care:

Child Care Licensing permit • or letter posted
CPR and First Aid certificate
Health and safety training
Good hand-washing practices
Daily review of indoor/outdoor environments
Fire extinguisher and/or smoke detectors
Fire drills practice
Child-proofing
Emergency or evacuation plans
Continuous child supervision
Nutritious meals and snacks

Training for Parents

Child Care Quality

Look, Listen, Count, Ask

Look

For reading and learning opportunities
For both teacher and child-directed activities

Listen

To the children laughing, singing, and playing
To the teacher’s tone of voice
To the teacher and child interaction
To the teacher redirect children’s behavior

Count

The staff-child ratios and group size guidelines specified by Child Care Licensing are important in all age groups, especially for infants!

Ask

About teacher-child development training
About child-to-teacher ratio and group size
About ability to care for children with special needs

Provider Types

Licensed Child Care

Licensed Child Care Centers

May care for 13 or more children under the age of 14 for less than 24 hours per day.

Licensed Child Care Homes

May care for 7-12 children under the age of 14 for less than 24 hours per day.

Registered Child Care Homes

Provide care for up to six children under the age of 14 in the caregiver’s home; they may also care for up to six more school-age children. The number of children allowed in the home is determined by the ages of the children.

Relative Care Providers

Some relatives care for children in addition to working outside the home. The arrangement for child care is with that individual relative only.

Texas Rising Star (TRS)

Provider Requirements

Texas Rising Star (TRS) Providers meet requirements that exceed the State’s Minimum Licensing Standards for child care facilities.

TRS Requirements:

Director qualifications
Teacher staff qualifications
Staff orientation
Ongoing staff development
Smaller group size
Detailed curriculum and lesson plans
Teacher-child interaction
Physical environment
Health and safety
Nutrition and Indoor/Outdoor Activities
Parent involvement and Education

Download a list of Texas Rising Star Providers in the area.

View TRS Video

Download a list of registered Child Care Providers in the region or visit the Texas Health and Human Services Web Site to search for a licensed Child Care Provider in your area.

Licensed Child Care Offices and Child Care Homes are routinely monitored and inspected by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

Click on the Child Care Eligibility section below to see if you qualify.