Tips for Choosing Child Care

Make sure the facility is licensed

Families can use My Child Care DC to search for child development facilities that are licensed by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Child development facilities in DC must be licensed by OSSE in order to serve families. Facilities that are licensed by OSSE have demonstrated they meet the standards for care established in OSSE’s child care licensing regulations, which include health and safety, staff training and other requirements. All programs listed on My Child Care DC have demonstrated that they meet these standards.

After a facility receives a license, OSSE monitors the facility to make sure it continues to meet the licensing regulations. Child development facilities receive one announced inspection and one unannounced inspection visit each year from OSSE, and OSSE may conduct additional inspections at any time throughout the year. Facilities must renew their license every three years to continue operating. Families can find a facility’s inspection reports in the facility’s My Child Care DC profile.

Additionally, the licensing regulations require that individuals working in child development facilities or supervising children undergo a criminal background check. More information on the criminal background check process and offenses that prevent an individual from working in a child development facility can be found here.

Some types of early care and education services do not have to undergo this licensing process. These include public and public charter schools pre-K programs and private schools that provide pre-K as part of an elementary school serving students in at least one grade K-5. Similarly, care provided in a child’s own home, parent-led play groups, nanny shares and occasional child care, such as babysitting or child care during religious services, do not need to abide by the licensing regulations. Additionally, facilities that provide only before- or after-care or summertime educational services for children ages 5 and older, or classes and activities such as music or dance for children, are not licensed in the same way as child development facilities. A full list of early care and education services that do not require a license can be found here.

Check that the facility meets your family’s needs

When choosing a child development facility, families should consider the following questions:

• Is the facility conveniently located for your family? Consider how close the facility is to where your family lives or works, whether it is near a Metro or bus line or whether you will be able to find parking if you plan on driving to and from the facility. Families can use My Child Care DC to search for child development facilities based on address, ZIP code or ward. Families can also use it to search for facilities along a specified route.
• Is the facility open during times that align with your family’s schedule? Consider when your family will need to pick-up and drop-off your child, or if child care is needed during non-traditional hours, such as early in the morning or late at night. Families should check with the facility to confirm the days and hours the program operates based on their child’s age range and the services they are seeking.
• Does the facility serve children who are your child’s age? Facilities serve varying age groups. Check to make sure the facility is licensed to serve children in your child’s age range. For example, some facilities may serve infants (0-12 months) and toddlers (13-36 months) while others may only serve toddlers. Families can use My Child Care DC to search for facilities based on age range. You will also need to confirm that the facility has a space available to serve an additional child in your child’s age range. Families can use My Child Care DC to search for facilities with open slots based on age range, but information on openings is not available for all facilities.
• Does the facility enroll families paying with child care subsides? If your family is participating in the DC Child Care Subsidy Program, make sure the facility you are interested in accepts child care subsidies. Families can use My Child Care DC to confirm if a facility accepts subsidies. Click here for more information on the DC Child Care Subsidy Program and how to apply.
• Is the facility’s tuition in your budget? As private businesses, child development facilities set their own tuition rates. Tuition varies at facilities and is typically based on the child’s age and services offered. Check with the facility to confirm the cost of tuition based on your child’s age and the services you want and ask if the facility offers sliding fee scales or other assistance to help pay for child care. Families looking to enroll more than one child at the same facility should ask if the facility offers sibling discounts. Families can use My Child Care DC to find information on a facility’s monthly tuition, but information on tuition is not available for all facilities.

Families with questions about a specific child development facility should reach out to the facility directly. The name of the facility point of contact and their phone number and email address can be found in the facility’s My Child Care DC profile.

Families with special or unique needs should contact DC Child Care Connections for individualized support finding child care. More information on DC Child Care Connections is below.

Use free resources to support your search for licensed child care

In addition to My Child Care DC, DC Child Care Connections, the District’s child care resource and referral (CCR&R) program, can help families find and connect with child care and financial resources in DC. DC Child Care Connections also operates a lending library where families can access books and digital resources. All DC Child Care Connections services are provided at no cost.

Families can contact DC Child Care Connections at [email protected] or (202) 829-2500 for support or visit DC Child Care Connections in person at the locations listed below on Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Free translation and interpretation services are available.

• 209 Upshur St. NW
  Washington, DC 20011
  


• 2041 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE
  Washington, DC 20020