Child Care
Question: Where would I begin if I wanted to start or improve a child care center in my community?
Answer: Review the tools and documents listed on this RAC information guide, particularly the document, "How to Start a Quality Child Care Business." Contact the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral (NACCR&R) (1-800-424-2246) for information about child care in local communities, and for information regarding financial assistance, funding opportunities, provider support organizations, training, marketing, and business practices. The National Child Care Information Center (NCCIC), funded by the Child Care Bureau, offers information on how to run a child care program, as well as on public and private partnerships, tax supports and other issues related to child care services and systems. They also provide information about national, state, and local sources of financial assistance, and can be contacted toll free at 1-800-616-2242.
Question: What funding resources are available for rural child care centers?
Answer: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services'
Child Care Bureau, the
Small Business Administration, and the local
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) all provide funding in the form of grants or loans to entities implementing child care services. Food programs are also available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Contact the
National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral (NACCRR) and the
National Child Care Information Center (NCCIC) for information about state agencies and private organizations that provide financing and other resources. The
Rural Information Center (USDA) has compiled a list of federal, state, and private funding and program resources targeted specifically for child care centers. Also, RAC has a
list of funding opportunities regarding child care.
Question: Where can I find a loan to start up a child care business?
Answer: The Small Business Administration (SBA) can be helpful in establishing a child care center. Call the SBA Answer Desk at 1-800-827-5722 or visit their website to request contact information for your area's Small Business Development Center.
Question: Where can I find licensing information for child care centers?
Answer: Most states have minimum licensing requirements for child care providers and they vary for the different types of providers. Contact your state's licensing agency to find out about the requirements in your state. To locate the licensing agency in your state, go to the National Child Care Information Center. Additional information is available at the National Resource Center on Health and Safety in Child Care.
Question:
What options do states have in the design
and implementation of child care programs that serve rural working
families?
Answer: States can design their child care programs according to client
needs. States
may also consider providing tax credits to employers who provide
child care for their employees or who subsidize child care
expenses.
Question:
What are some strategies for strengthening
kith and kin child care services?
Answer: Kith and Kin care (the provision of child care by friends or family)
is prevalent in many rural communities. These arrangements are
less expensive and more flexible than traditional center based
care. Many care givers lack the formalized training and licensing
that center based care requires. To meet this need, states can
provide training in health and safety issues. States can work
to expedite licensing by assisting with the completion of necessary
paperwork.
Question:
What role can community based and faith
based organizations play in the provision of child care?
Answer: In addition to operating church-based child care facilities, congregations
may consider adopting child care centers that need assistance
with repairs, supplies, toys, and volunteers. Community and faith
based organizations might also organize transportation assistance
to and from child care facilities to ease the burden on families
that already face long commute times to work.
Credits
Last revised 09/28/2007
