There are different types of child care options that you might consider when choosing the best place for you and your child. CCAR offers information on hundreds of regulated family child care homes and centers in Fairfax County. The following child care program options are available to you when deciding on a child care placement:
Family Child Care Home – Home based child care provided in the provider’s home. Each provider who has a county permit or state license usually manages his/her family child care independently and may care for children of mixed age’s groups (infants, toddlers, and preschool and school age children). Family providers that participate in the USDA Food Program serve nutritious meals and snacks.
Child Care Center – Center based programs typically provide full day, year-round care, for groups of 12 or more children in a non-residential setting. Usually children are grouped according to age (infant, toddler, preschool or school-age). Contact the Virginia Department of Social Services about the licenses these programs and for more information.
Family Child Care System – A network of individual family child care homes. Providers are screened, trained, and monitored by a state licensed system. In Fairfax County, Infant/Toddler Family Day Care of Northern Virginia provides this form of child care. They can be reached at www.infanttoddler.com.
Preschool or Nursery School – Is a part-day program serving young children, generally between the ages of 2 ½ and 5.
School Age Child Care - Child care for school-age children grades K – 6 is offered before and after the regular school day and during school breaks. SACC is located in most county elementary schools.
In-Home – Child care provided in a child’s own home by relatives or by a family employee such as a nanny. In home care is considered unregulated child care.
Other child care program options:
