Finding the right care for your family
Child care is a place where children can learn and be cared for while adults work, go to school, or train for a job. It’s important to choose the kind of child care that works best for your family. Some families need care early in the morning or late at night, while others only need it for a few hours. Some kids do better in small groups, and others enjoy being around lots of other children.
Child care provider basics
There are different kinds of child care providers. When we say ‘providers,’ we mean regulated child care providers that are properly licensed or permitted with Health and Human Services Commission Child Care Regulation (HHSC CCR). There is regulated care that is operated and monitored by the United States military.
To see the full list of types of child care operations regulated by HHSC CCR, please visit their webpage, What are the Types of Child Care Operations?
There may be child care providers operating without a permit. These operations are called unregulated or illegal operations. Learn how to report them on our Health and safety webpage.
Families who are eligible for the CCS program can choose any provider that accepts CCS.
Common types of care
Every child care provider is different, even if they fall under the same type of care. The descriptions here give a general idea of what each type of child care might look like, but it's not always be the same in every program.
Think of these as helpful “rules of thumb” to get you started. Families should always call or visit a provider directly to learn the details and make sure the care fits their child’s needs.
Child care centers are places where children are cared for by trained staff. They may be located in private buildings, schools, or other public buildings. Centers typically have multiple classrooms and care for children of different ages. They usually cost more than home-based care.
Home-based child care (family home or a child care home) is when a trained caregiver watches children in their own home. They serve children of different ages. This type of care serves smaller groups of children and may offer more flexible hours. They usually cost less than child care centers.
Pre-k is a free program for eligible children ages 3 to 5. It helps children get ready for kindergarten by learning to share, having a routine, and other ways. It is often open only during the school year and part of the day. This type of care may be free or low-cost for families who qualify.
Early Head Start serves children from birth to age 3, and pregnant women. Head Start serves children from ages 3 to 5. Both programs provide free child development and family support services to eligible low-income families. Families must meet certain requirements to qualify.
School-age care and summer camps are usually for children up to 13 years old. They may offer care before and after school, during school breaks, when school is closed, and in the summer. They provide a safe place for children to take part in fun and educational activities.
Military families can use regular child care programs and may qualify for special military child care programs. These programs are military run at the duty station. Active-duty service members can apply for military child care fee assistance to help pay for care.
Relative child care is when a relative family member takes care of a child, usually in their own home but sometimes in the child’s home. Only certain relatives can provide this care. The relative must pass background checks, have their home inspected, and be listed with HHSC CCR.
Faith-based care
Faith-based child care programs are run by religious groups such as churches, synagogues, mosques, or other faith communities. These programs include spiritual values and teachings into their curriculum while providing care and early education.
Faith-based child care programs can be found in different types of care as explained above, including:
- child care centers located in religious institutions
- family child care homes run by providers who use faith-based practices
- pre-k associated with religious schools
We want you to find the best child care fit for your family! Did you know you can filter your search results by school age care, part time care, before school care, and after school care? These are some of the options available to help you find the care that works for your family!