Finding Child Care

Choosing child care is a vital decision for every family.  Finding the right caregiver is often challenging, but we can help.

Your child’s relationship with their caregivers and peers will affect how they feel about themselves and the world around them.  It’s essential that you are a well-informed parent and have all of the information you need to make an informed decision.  You are your child’s best and only advocate.  We have provided several resources to assist you in making the right decision for your family.

Are You Preparing to Search fo Child Care?

Here are a few steps to take to get you headed in the right direction.

Determine your family's needs in terms of hours, locations, days, financial ability, transportation, etc.

Determine what type of care setting is best for your child

There are three types of child care recognized in the state of Kentucky. Registered Providers: someone who either watches up to 3 children in their home or the family's home and registered through the state. Certified providers who are eligible to watch up to 6 unrelated children in their home and certified through the state. Licensed type I and II facilities who are licensed through the state of Kentucky.

Gather as much information about the local centers as you can.

Looking on Kynect is a great way to get information on licensing visits, hours, and so on.

Get a list of regulated services in the area you're looking for either by the online search, email, or calling ECCTC.

Visit several locations. At least three.

When visiting LOOK, LISTEN, and ASK.

Look for signs of quality with our quality checklist, listen to the teachers' tone, and for sounds of happy children. Then ask questions to dig deeper into what the center is like.

Quality Child Care

The Basics

Good child care requires three important things:

  • A well trained and consistent caregiver or staff
  • A safe and healthy setting 
  • An environment that enhances your child’s physical, emotional, and social wellbeing and growth.

Think about the best setting for your child. Know the difference between regulated and unregulated child care.

Quality Child Care Check List

The checklists below are to assist you in knowing what to look for when searching for quality care.

Infants

Preschool

Afterschool

Child Care Assistance

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

The state of Kentucky offers assistance with child care. The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is administered through the Division of Child Care with Community Based Services. Although ECCTC does not administer CCAP, we can help you find the information you need.

  • The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) provides financial assistance to eligible families in the Commonwealth. The family must establish eligibility through the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS), and payments are made directly to the child care provider.
  • Review this fact sheet to determine if you are eligible: CCAP Fact Sheet.
  • You can apply in person at the Department for Community Based Services office by calling 1-855-306-8959, or at Kynect 
  • To find your local DCBS office, visit the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Parent Tips

  • Eligibility for CCAP benefits are determined by a Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) worker just like SNAP, KTAP, and other state benefits.
  • Clients (parents or guardians) can apply for services, report changes, and get assistance with their CCAP case by calling 855-306-8959 or by visiting benefind.ky.gov.
  • Changes can also be reported to chfs.dcbsdcctechnicalassistance@ky.gov.
  • Read all notices from DCBS regarding your CCAP case or any other benefit you receive and follow up with your DCBS worker. Changes to your SNAP, K-TAP, or other benefit cases can affect your CCAP case.
  • All CCAP certificates must be signed by the client and provider and then uploaded on the providers secure account.
  • Clients must report all changes and address certificate issues to their DCBS worker. Providers are not allowed access to your information.
  • Know the name and address of your child care provider when applying for CCAP benefits or changing providers. This will help your DCBS worker when it is time to issue a certificate.
  • Once approved for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) families may still be responsible for part of the payment to the child care provider if the family has a co-pay or overage. A co-pay is assigned by the CCAP depending on the family size and income. It is a daily amount that is subtracted from the provider’s reimbursement that the family pays to the child care provider. An overage is an additional amount that the family may be responsible for if the child care provider charges more than the CCAP pays. The family also pays this amount to the child care provider.