How to Become a Child Care Provider

There is a great need for quality early childhood programs. Opening your own early childhood program is an excellent investment both for you and your community. The benefits are two-fold:

1. You benefit by establishing a quality early childhood program and the families in your community benefit from the services of a high quality early childhood program.
2. Opening an early childhood program takes money, time, and, most of all, organization and planning​.

You must do research before opening a child care center or home and learn about the different types of child care, as well as, all of the rules and regulations. 

Types of Child Care Options

One of the first steps to becoming a child care provider is to research the options that are available to you in your state. In Arizona, there are several options to choose from such as a licensed child care center and/or the various types of family child care settings. A licensed center is typically a non-residential setting that cares for (5) five or more children for compensation. A family child care setting is a residential setting that care for no more than (4) children for compensation if you are a family child care home and no more than (10) ten children if you are a child care group home. 

To learn more about each of the types of child care options, click here.