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Finding & Choosing Childcare

Looking for licensed child care? Click here to get started!  Need some help navigating through the site?  Click here for instructions.

Care.com – Care.com is here for you! Limited number of  FREE spaces available. First come first served!

Care.com is a one stop shop for babysitters, nannies, senior/elder care support, housekeepers and even pet sitters! Their site allows you to view detailed profiles of their vetted providers and select by experience, hourly rate, availability and more.

If you have needs for care in other areas across the nation (Your elder mom lives in FL, or you have a conference in Atlanta and you want to take the baby) you can find care anywhere!

You can also look for “College Caregivers”. If you want to have access to MSU students’ profiles, you can search the system by college.

Click here to access the FREE service (valued at $140 per year) while space is available. You must enroll with your MSUnet ID email address:  www.care.com/group/msu

Au Pair in America - Trust the world’s most experienced live-in child care program.  Au Pair in America is the first organization to be designed by the U.S. Government to offer a legal au pair program.  Since 1986, we have placed more than 87,000 au pairs with American host families in 40 states!  The program has expanded largely through word of mouth – host families telling friends and neighbors that Au Pair in America provides service, intercultural richness and a reliable source of quality child care.

ChildCareChecks.com - researches and inspects licensed child care providers and facilities and reports the facts directly to you.

Cultural Care Au Pair - Cultural Care Au Pair is one of the largest and most experienced au pair organizations in the world, having successfully placed more than 80,000 au pairs in welcoming American homes since 1989. Our program is strictly regulated, and our dedicated staff all over the world carefully screens each au pair candidate to ensure they meet Cultural Care Au Pair’s high standards.

Nanny Network – If you are looking for a professional nanny to come into your home, you may opt to go through a Nanny agency to help you.
Contact: (586) 739-2100

MySpartanCareer - If you are interested in posting a childcare job opening online, please visit MonsterTrak or contact the Student Employment office at MSU.
Contact: (517) 355-9520
Location: 110 Student Services Building, East Lansing

Department of Human Services – Statewide Results Child Day Care Centers and Homes.  Search providers in your area or by zip code in another area.  This site provides licensing information including license number of provider as well as licensing violations.

Click here to view a comprehensive checklist on choosing a childcare provider from the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies.

Parents are encouraged to interview each potential provider and visit the care location in order to effectively evaluate their child care options. Consider which program makes you and your child feel the most comfortable and offers the most quality features. The physical environment, the range of activities and programs offered, and the personality of the provider will influence your decision. Note which program is most convenient to your home, work or school, and which program you can afford.

Part of the interview process involves observing the setting where your child will spend the day. Whether you choose a center or a home-care, parents should look for a healthy, comfortable environment. A professional, licensed provider will not be offended if you pay attention to the following elements in their child care facility or home:

BASICS:

  • What hours and days are you open? Can your facility handle drop-in and part-time care?
  • What ages of children do you care for?
  • What is the cost? Are there separate rates for full-time and part-time care? Do you charge a registration or special activities fee? Do you charge for sick/vacation days?
  • Is transportation available?
  • Do you provide meals and snacks? If so, please describe a typical meal or snack to me.
  • What do you and the children do during the day? Do you have certain routines that you follow? What kind of unscheduled activities might I expect my child to experience?
  • How do you handle behavior issues?
  • What will you do if my child becomes ill?
  • Please explain what child care means to you. Why did you enter the child care field?

ENVIRONMENT:

  • Is the facility geared toward children? Is it bright and cheerful?
  • Are toys and books within a child’s reach? Are there enough toys and books for all the children?
  • Is there space for active and quiet play?
  • Is there an outdoor play area that is fenced and secure? Is there outdoor play equipment?
  • When children are outside, does the provider take care to use sunscreen and insect repellant when appropriate? Are children dressed adeCan a child nap quietly and comfortably?
  • Are the staff warm and friendly with the children?
  • Do the staff listen and talk positively with the children?
  • In a home-care setting, what role will other family members play in the child’s care?

CHILDREN’S DISPOSITIONS:

  • Do children seem to like and trust the adults?
  • Do they seem happy and relaxed?
  • Do children talk freely with each other?
  • Do children relate well to each other? Are they enjoying themselves?

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT:

  • Are age-appropriate activities scheduled?
  • Does staff vary the activities and learning experiences based on interactions with the children?
  • Are infants playing outside their cribs? Is the play supervised?
  • Are children allowed to choose activities?
  • Are children’s questions answered openly?
  • Do staff offer children positive encouragement? Are children encouraged to solve problems and make decisions?

HEALTH AND SAFETY:

  • Is the facility clean inside and outdoors? Is it heated and cooled appropriately? Is it a smoke-free setting?
  • Have safety precautions been taken to child-proof the facility or home? Are medications and poisons in a locked cabinet? If firearms are kept on the premises, can you be assured the children are not in danger?
  • Are emergency procedures planned and posted?
  • Is drinking water within a child’s reach?
  • Do staff and children wash their hands before eating? Do staff members wash their hands and the changing area after diapering? Do they wash their hands after helping older children with toileting or personal hygiene?

STAFF QUALIFICATIONS:

  • What is the staff/child ratio per age group?
  • What kinds of experience and training do the staff have? How long have they been in the field of child care and how long have they been with this facility? Do you require staff to participate in continuing education and safety courses?
  • Is the facility accredited (which means their standards are above licensing)?
  • Do the staff have an understanding of and interest in children and how they grow? Do staff respect a child’s language, culture and abilities? Do they treat children fairly?

The bottom line is that parents should feel comfortable leaving their child with the provider they chose. The experts suggest that parents:

  • Personally interview each potential provider;
  • Ask for references and contact each reference;
  • Talk to other parents who have their children in that provider’s care;
  • Visit the location;
  • Verify if you will be allowed to visit your child anytime unannounced and if you will be able to speak to the staff daily; and
  • Ask if you will be allowed to participate in program activities.