Childcare

Types of Childcare

4Cs of Passaic County, Inc. a resource and referral agency has helped thousands of New Jersey families select the childcare option that is right for them. Services provided include:

Free childcare referrals to fit your family’s needs

Information on choosing quality childcare

Information about accessing financial assistance for childcare

Family Childcare

This type of care is provided in someone’s home. In New Jersey, a provider can care for no more than five children, plus a maximum of three of their own children. Home providers can choose to be registered, which means they meet the basic safety and programs requirements established by state law. This registration also allows these in-home providers to accept payments from families participating in government-subsidized childcare assistance programs.

In-Home Care

In this type of care, a person comes to your home to care for your child. This provider might offer other services such as light housekeeping, starting or making dinner or driving your child to lessons or play dates. Although you may use an agency to find such a provider, they are neither regulated nor licensed by the state and cannot participate in the state’s quality-improvement program, Grow NJ Kids.

Childcare Centers

Licensed by the state of New Jersey, these facilities are inspected every two years and must meet basic health, safety, program and staffing requirements. They can care for 6 or more children from the age of 6 weeks to 13 years. There are many types of licensed childcare centers, including but not limited to infant/toddler programs, early care and education programs and school-age programs. Licensed centers also may choose to meet more rigorous, research-based or accreditation standards. (There also are license-exempt centers, such as programs that are part of a public school district or private school.)

Head Start & Early Head Start

Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the mental, social and emotional development of children from birth to age 5. In addition to education services, programs provide children and their families with health, nutrition, social and other services.

School District Preschool Programs

School districts provide research-based preschool programs for 3- and 4-year-olds, that may be located within a school district site, a private provider or a local Head Start agency.