If you need child care, you want the very best setting for your child. When choosing child care, you should visit more than one program. If possible, take your child with you when you visit. The following list will give you some hints to help you make a good choice.

Child Care Choices

Statement of Quality Indicators for Choosing Quality Child Care

Licensing Rules Summary
When choosing quality child care it is important to check on whether providers meet basic licensing rules. Prospective parents should ask providers if there are annual site inspections as part of licensing. Parents should ask if the staff are current with required training in CPR and first aid, as well as educational requirements. Parents should also ask if staff participate in ongoing training required to maintain their license. For a full listing of licensing requirements, please visit our resource page for the link to licensing rules for the state of Michigan.

Child Care Centers
Child care centers include day care centers, preschools, nursery schools, before and after school programs, and Head Start programs. Centers need a license.

Group Day Care Homes
Homes in which two or more adults provide care for up to 12 children. These homes require a license.

Family Day Care Homes
Homes where an adult cares for one to six children. Family homes must be registered.

Relative Care Provider
A child’s grandparent, great grandparent, aunt, 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 Family Independence Agency 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 16 years old and enrolled with the Family Independence Agency to
receive child care payments from the State.

Policies

Resource and Referral Fee Policy: 4C Child Care Unlimited
4C Child Care Unlimited provides parents and families with referrals to quality licensed child care programs. 4C Child Care Unlimited does not charge a fee for child care resource information and provider referrals. We are funded through the Early Childhood Investment Corporation, ECIC, to provide referral services at no cost to families seeking resource and referral information. Our no cost fee policy for resource and referral information is made available to families using our services through a number of venues including the referral packet of written materials mailed to parents, the agency website, as well as verbally at the time of intake for referral services.

Child Care Resource and Referral Confidentiality Policy
It is the policy of 4C Child Care Unlimited that employees, board members and volunteers may not disclose, divulge or make accessible confidential information belonging to, or obtained through their affiliation with 4C Child Care Unlimited to any person, including relatives, friends and business and professional associates, other than to persons who have a legitimate need for such information and to whom 4C Child Care Unlimited has authorized disclosure. 4C Child Care Unlimited shall use confidential information solely for the purpose of performing services for clients who participate in programs affiliated with 4C Child Care Unlimited.

Child Care Referral Disclaimer
4C Child Care Unlimited does not license, endorse or recommend any one particular child care provider. Most of the information accumulated about a child care provider comes directly from the provider and is for informational purposes only. 4C Child Care Unlimited can verify the provider is either licensed or regulated by the State of Michigan. Some school-based programs are exempt from licensing rules, but parents may contact the school for other information. 4C Child Care Unlimited strongly urges parents to contact, screen and visit providers to choose someone who best meets their needs.

Consumer/Parent Complaint Policy: 4C Resource & Referral Services
4C Child Care Unlimited is determined to provide quality child care resource and referral services that parents expect and rely on. Consumer feedback is a valuable tool used by 4C Child Care Unlimited to improve the quality of our child resource and referral services. Parents requesting child care referral services from 4C Child Care Unlimited are encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions on the services they receive. Parents may contact the Executive Director of 4C Child Care Unlimited at 810 232–0145 or 1 800 527-2182, ext. 15.

Child Care Provider Complaint Policy
In the course of providing child care referrals, parents may contact 4C Child Care Unlimited with complaints, concerns, and questions regarding child care programs and/or providers.  If parents have a concern and/or complaint about a child care provider, they may contact 4C referral staff at 810 232-0145, or 800 527-2182, and/or the Division of Child Care Licensing at 866 685-0006, or 866 856-0126 to file a complaint, or through the internet at www.michigan.gov/dhs, and click on Division of Child Care Licensing and follow the prompts. 

All questions from parents and/or providers concerning past or current violations of licensing rules are directed to the Department of Human Services, Child Care Licensing Division.

Child Care Financial Resources

When parents are choosing quality child care for their families, one of the first concerns is how much will it cost?  The following information is provided to help parents and families access opportunities for financial assistance with the cost of child care. 

Working parents who meet income eligibility guidelines may be eligible for the Department of Human Services, (DHS) Child Development and Care assistance program.  This program may pay part of the child care costs for parents who are employed and are using quality licensed child care, including family and group child care homes and child care centers.  Registered Aides and Relative care providers may also be eligible for DHS Child Development and Care subsidy payments.  For more information or to access an application for assistance, please contact DHS:

• Genesee County: 810 760-2200
• Huron County: 989 269-9201
• Lapeer County: 810 667-0800
• Tuscola County: 989 673-8100
• Sanilac County: 810 648-4420

In addition to Department of Human Services Child Development and Care subsidy payments, other financial assistance is available in the form of tax credits and grants.

• Earned Income Credit
  
  A tax benefit for low income families who are working full or part time.  This benefit may reduce or eliminate tax you owe, or become a refund.  Families who qualify for this benefit must file Form 1040 or 1040A along with the schedule when filing their annual income tax.  Eligibility depends on family size as well as annual income.

• Child Tax Credit
  
  Families may be eligible for this federal tax credit if they have dependent children under 17 years of age.  Eligibility depends on whether the parent is able to claim the dependent child under 17, have taxable income above 10,000, and have a Social Security number or individual Taxpayer identification number.

• Additional Child Care Finance Options
  
  
  1. Other options available to parents and families include Head Start, Early On, and Michigan School Readiness programs.  These programs are federally funded, and provided at no cost to parents and families who meet income guidelines for services.  Parents should check with their local school districts for these school based programs.
     
     
  2. Many child care providers, as well as school based programs offer multiple sibling discounts.  When researching child care options, parents should inquire about sibling discounts available.
     
     
  3. Parents who have served in the United States Military may also be eligible for financial assistance and/or child care discounts. Parents should check with Veteran’s Affairs.