Child Care Types

The following information explains the various types of child care providers that are available.

Child Care Centers

Child care centers are non-residential settings that offer care for more than four children for compensation. Centers are licensed and monitored by the Department of Health Services (DHS), except where children can come and go on their own, where parents are on the premises, or those on military bases or on tribal lands.

Child care centers may contract with the Department of Economic Security (DES) to serve families that receive assistance to pay for child care.

Family Child Care Homes

Family child care homes provide care for children in the caregiver’s home. CCR&R provides referrals to three types of family child care homes.

Group Family Child Care Homes are certified and monitored by DHS. They may provide care for up to 10 children for compensation. They must maintain at least one staff person for every five children in care. These homes may contract with DES to serve families that receive DES child care assistance.

DES Certified Family Child Care Homes are certified and monitored by DES. They may care for no more than four children at one time for compensation. They may care for children whose families receive DES child care assistance.

CCR&R Registered Family Child Care Homes are not certified or monitored by any state agency or CCR&R. They may care for no more than four children at one time for compensation. Registered family child care home providers have a Child Protective Service (CPS) clearance, are fingerprinted for a criminal background check, have provided proof of current training in CPR and First Aid, and have submitted a sworn statement attesting that if they have a pool, it is fenced and that any firearms in the home are locked and stored separately from the ammunition.

Family Child Care Providers that are not certified or monitored by any state agency, and that do not meet registry requirements are not listed with CCR&R.

In-Home Child Care

In-home child care is provided by an individual who provides care in your home. Arizona does not require in-home caregivers to be regulated. However, they may be certified by DES or may choose to list in the CCR&R Registry for referrals if they meet the requirements.

Centers and family child care homes may choose to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and receive reimbursement for nutritious meals served to the children in care.