Types of Child Care Options

Child Care Centers: Facilities where 12 or more children ages 6 weeks to 13 years may be cared for on a regular or part-time basis. These facilities are required to be licensed by the Maine Department of Human Services (DHS) and must meet minimum requirements concerning health and safety. Centers are subject to biannual inspection by a State Fire Marshall as well as annual review by the DHS Child Care Licensing Unit.

Certified Family Child Care Homes: Facilities in which 3 to 12 children, not related to the caregiver, ages 6 weeks to 13 years may receive regular or part-time care. They must meet minimum health and safety requirements, and are inspected biannually by a State Fire Marshall and annually by a DHS Child Care Licensing worker.

Legal, Unlicensed Family Child Care: Homes in which only one or two children, not related to the caregiver, are cared for without a license. A Legal, Unlicensed caregiver can become a TRUST ME caregiver with the State of Maine if they opt to go through state background checks.

School-Age Care: Care provided for children ages 5-16 during non-school hours. It is available in a variety of settings: schools, community centers, Y’s, religious organizations, child care centers, and family child care homes. These programs must comply with DHS regulations.

Nursery Schools: Facilities for 3 or more children under the age of 7 that provide half-day care, not including Kindergarten programs. Parents often combine these programs with other types of child care to create a full-day child care “package”. Nursery Schools must be licensed by DHS and meet minimum standards.

Head Start: This program offers educational programs to low-income preschool children including children with special needs. Other important services such as medical, dental, educational, mental health, and social services are also offered. Head Start is not a full-day child care program in some areas of Maine but some are run in collaboration with child care centers for full-day care.

In-Home Care: A relative, nanny, friend or someone else that a family hires to care for a child(ren) in the child’s home. This option is not regulated.