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Choosing the right child care facility can be a tough decision. Child care should be a safe, happy, loving environment as well as convenient and affordable. Finding quality care is worth the time and effort it takes to know your children are in the best care you can give them.

Below are some steps to help make your search easier:

  1. Make a list: Call your local Child Care Resource & Referral office to learn what your options are within your community. They can also provide you with names of child care providers within your community. In Will, Grundy, Kendall, and Kankakee counties in Illinois, call 1-800-552-5526. In other areas call Child Care Aware (ChildCareAware.org) at 1-800-424-2246, to get the number of the Child Care Resource & Referral office in your area. You might also ask for recommendations from family members, co-workers, and friends.
  2. Telephone Interview: A telephone interview can save you a lot of time and energy. Once you have a list of potential providers, begin by calling several of them. A good time to call might be early afternoon (when children are napping) or early evening. While talking to the provider find out things such as hours, location, availability, cost, etc. If you like what you’re hearing, ask if you could schedule a time to visit.
  3. Visit: Visit several different child care programs. Allow yourself at least one hour for each site. Take a checklist, such as the one below, or make one of your own with the questions and things you want to look for. Make sure you have time to observe the program/staff interacting with the children and also time to talk with the caregiver one-on-one about their policies, procedures, philosophy, etc. Sometimes this may require two separate visits.
  4. Re-visit: Once you have narrowed your decision down to one or two choices, go back and visit again. Concentrate on the areas you had questions about or couldn’t remember from your first visit. If you didn’t take your children with you on the initial visit, take them with you this time. Observe their reaction to the provider and setting, as well as how the provider interacts with your children.
  5. Make Your Decision: Review all of the information you have from each program you visited. Call and ask any final questions you may have. If your child is old enough, and visited the programs with you, get their input as well. Be choosy—If you are not happy with any of the programs you have found, keep looking. The time and effort you spend now will be worth it for your child and your peace of mind.
  6. Who To Call For Provider Information: To find information on a child care provider, including current status, license number, capacity and information on past history call Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) DayCare Information line at 877-746-0829.
If you have a complaint about a facility or provider that involves possible child abuse or licensing violations call DCFS at 800-252-2873 to report your concern.
 

Child Care Referrals:
In Joliet
(815)741-1179

Outside Joliet
(800)552-5526

Financial Assistance :
In Joliet
(815)741-4622

Outside Joliet
(800)641-4622

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