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Types of Child Care

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There are different types of child care available to families in San Mateo County. Child Care Center This is a facility that can provide care for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers or school-aged children all or part of the day. Centers can vary in size and can be operated independently, by a church or other organization. Centers are licensed and inspected annually by the State's Community Care Licensing division. Centers may offer special classes in music or dance and have regular field trips or special instruction. Many centers have set hours of operation, so be sure to ask if they can accommodate your schedule. Family Child Care Home Care is offered in the home of the caregiver who is licensed. The provider may care for up to eight children of varying ages or 14 children with an adult assistant (two of these children in each maximum capacity must be of school age). The total capacity also includes the provider's own children under the age of 10. Family child care homes often have more flexible hours and days available than other types of care. You may contact Community Care Licensing to check on your provider's safety record. License-Exempt Care This type of care is when a friend or a relative cares for your children. A license-exempt provider may only care for children from one family in addition to their own children. These caregivers may provide several references for you, but it's up to you to inspect the home to see if it is safe and clean. You may contact the State's Trustline or 1-800-822-8490 to check on your provider's safety record. Child Care Development Programs Full or part-day child care programs for children (birth through school-age) from low-income families who need child care in order to work, attend school or participate in job training programs. The comprehensive, developmental program meets the educational, social, emotional, nutritional and health needs of the children. Parent participation and family support services are required. These programs are operated by school districts and not-for-profit organizations. After-school Enrollment Programs These programs are not regulated as child care programs and seek to improve academic performance through recreation and enrichment activities for elementary and middle school children. After school programs must be open a minimum of three hours a day until at least 6 p.m. on every regular school day. Middle schools may choose a flexible schedule of nine hours within three days per week. School-aged Community Child Care (Latchkey) This program provides funds to local not-for-profits, school districts and municipalities for before- and after-school child care for children enrolled in Kindergarten through ninth grade. Fifty percent of the families must be below-income, working, in training or enrolled in school. The other fifty percent of the families pay equivalent parent fees, providing a match for subsidy. Migrant Child Care These programs operate full-day child care programs from May through October for children, ages birth to thirteen, whose families are migrant and seasonal agricultural workers. Centers are typically located in Migrant Housing Projects. Head Start and State Preschool The Head Start and State Preschool programs are for income eligible families with young children 3-5 years old. If you qualify for one of these programs, you will receive parent training, health care, meals or other social services. Head Start Programs are half day. The majority of State Preschool Programs are also half day, with only a few offering full day child care.