Understanding Child Care Options
Navigating child care options can feel like a big task, but we’re here to provide a starting point for UW-Madison families. This guide offers an overview of child care types for ages 0-5, regulatory standards, and key questions to consider as you begin your search.
See School-Aged Care for information about enrolling in school, before/after school care, and summer camps or programs.
Types of Child Care
Child care comes in various forms, each offering a different environment and approach. Knowing the differences can help you narrow down your preferences.
For detailed information, please see the Wisconsin DCF: Options for Child Care.
Child Care & Education Centers
These are typically larger, facility-based programs that care for groups of children, often separated by age (e.g., infant, toddler, preschool rooms). They generally have multiple staff members, structured daily schedules, and a curriculum focus.
Family Child Care Programs
Provided in a caregiver’s home, these offer a more home-like, intimate setting. They often care for children of mixed ages and may have a family-like atmosphere with a consistent caregiver. Group sizes are typically smaller than centers.
Regulation & Quality
Understanding how child care centers and family programs are regulated and what “quality” means is crucial for ensuring your child’s safety and well-being.
- In Wisconsin, many child care centers or family programs are required to be licensed or volunteer to be certified by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
- This ensures basic standards for health, safety, teacher education, and the well-being of children.
- Beyond state regulation, some child care centers or family programs pursue accreditation to reach even higher quality standards.
How to Find High-Quality Child Care
Families can use Youngstar, which is managed by Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, to review star ratings and licensing violations for most regulated child care programs in the state.
1. Check program profiles on Youngstar
YoungStar is Wisconsin’s child care quality rating and improvement system. Use program profiles to review licensing status, quality indicators, and a program’s star rating. Ask providers about their current YoungStar star rating and how they work to maintain or improve quality. For help interpreting ratings, see Understanding Star Ratings.
2. Visit child care programs in-person
Schedule visits with several centers or family child care homes to get a feel for each environment. Look for safety, cleanliness, and an inviting, well-organized space. Observe how caregivers interact with children, whether children seem happy and engaged in a variety of activities, and listen for cheerful, patient voices. Be cautious of environments that feel unusually loud or unnaturally quiet.
3. Ask about staff training and ratios
Talk with providers about staff qualifications, training, and experience working with young children. Pay close attention to child-to-staff ratios, as lower ratios generally allow for more individualized care and support. Ask how staff are supported through ongoing professional development and how programs handle staffing consistency.
4. Ask about policies and quality
Request clear information about program policies related to attendance, safety, nutrition, illness, and behavior guidance. Strong programs are transparent, consistent, and happy to explain how their policies support children’s well-being and development. Reviewing these details can help you determine whether a program aligns with your family’s values and expectations.
Key Questions
Before diving deep into provider searches, take a moment to reflect on your family’s unique needs and priorities. Answering these questions can help you clarify your ideal child care solution.
- What is my realistic budget for child care? Consider weekly/monthly costs, and whether subsidies like Wisconsin Shares might be available to you.
- What type of setting do I prefer? Do you envision a larger, structured center, or a smaller, home-like environment?
- Will I walk, bus, or drive to drop off/pick up my child? This might limit your child care options, especially if you are relying on bus routes only.
- Do I need part-time or full-time care? Most child care centers do not offer part-time care for infants. Family programs are more likely to offer flexible schedules. Many providers will require a 9 or 12 month contract.
- Is a strong sense of community and parent engagement important to my family? Some centers emphasize parent involvement more than others by offering family events, play groups, or even parenting classes.
- Are there specific educational philosophies or curricula that align with my family’s values? e.g., play-based, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, nature-based.
- Are there any specific cultural, language, or dietary needs that are important to us?
- Does my child have developmental disabilities or special healthcare needs and can the provider accommodate them with support and resources?
Restrictions on Child Care Financial Assistance
Child care financial assistance subsidies (such as Wisconsin Shares and UW-Madison CCTAP) may have restrictions on where funding can be used. This is a general guide, but we recommend asking your child care center or program if they are able to accept child care financial assistance.
Eligible Programs
- State-licensed and/or accredited child care centers
- City of Madison-accredited family child care programs
Possibly Eligible Programs
- Certified (not accredited) family child care programs
- Private religious schools that offer child care programs
Ineligible Programs
- Nannies & babysitters
- Family child care programs that are not City of Madison-accredited
- Child care centers/programs with a Youngstar rating less than 2 stars
For detailed information on Wisconsin’s child care regulations and quality rating system, please visit the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) website.