With some exceptions, providers who care for more than 4 children for compensation must be licensed or certified by the Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS). The exceptions include those who provide care:
- Where children may come and go on their own (such as Boys and Girls Clubs)
- Where parents remain on the premises (such as health clubs)
- On military bases (where care is regulated by the military authorities)
- On tribal lands (where care is regulated by the tribal authorities
DHS regulates and monitors both residential and non-residential settings. Child care providers who care for children in their homes can care for up to 10 children for compensation in a DHS Certified Group Home. Non-residential sites require a license from DHS as well. As a group, these are known as DHS Licensed Child Care Centers. Some child care centers identify themselves as preschools or school age programs. However, the rules and regulations for all centers are identical. The total number of children allowed is based on the physical facility. DHS centers and group homes staff are fingerprinted for a criminal background check. At all times, they have at least one staff present that has current training in CPR and First Aid. CCR&R refers DHS Centers and Group Homes.
To learn more about becoming a DHS Licensed Child Care Facility or DHS Certified Family Child Care Group Home, please visit: http://www.azdhs.gov/als/childcare/providers/index.htm
DES Regulated Providers
The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) regulates and monitors some residential providers. These are called DES Certified Family Child Care Homes. They may care for no more than 4 children at one time for compensation. They may care for up to 6 children total; including the provider’s own children. They may care for no more than 2 children under one year old. DES Certified home providers have an Arizona Child Protective Services (CPS) clearance. They are fingerprinted for a criminal background check. They have provided proof of current training in CPR and First Aid. They have their homes inspected for a wide variety of health and safety standards. CCR&R refers DES Certified family child care homes.
DES also certifies providers to care for children in the child's home. These providers are known as DES Certified In-Home Providers. DES Certified in-home providers have an Arizona Child Protective Services (CPS) clearance. They are fingerprinted for a criminal background check. They have provided proof of current training in CPR and First Aid. CCR&R refers DES Certified in-home providers.
To learn more about becoming a DES Certified Family Child Care Home or a DES In-Home Provider, please visit: https://www.azdes.gov/childcare/provider.asp
CCR&R Registered Providers
CCR&R lists some homes that may not be monitored by any state agency. They are not monitored by the CCR&R. These are called CCR&R Registered Family Child Care Homes. They care for up to 4 children at one time for compensation. Registered family child care home providers have an Arizona Child Protective Services (CPS) clearance. They are fingerprinted for a criminal background check. They have provided proof of current training in CPR and First Aid. They submit a sworn statement attesting that if they have a pool, it is safely fenced and that any firearms and ammunition in the home are locked in separate locations. CCR&R refers Registered homes.
To learn more about becoming a CCR&R Registered Provider, please call
1-800-308-9000.
ADE Regulated Providers
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is available to all child care providers. This program reimburses providers for nutritious meals served while children are in care. Some family child care homes choose to participate in the CACFP but not to be regulated by DES, DHS or to meet the requirements of the CCR&R Registry. These are called CACFP Alternate Approval Family Child Care Homes. These homes are monitored by private organizations called “Sponsors” who are contracted by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE). The CACFP is not a child care program, but an effort to improve nutrition for children and adults. Alternate Approval home providers are fingerprinted for a criminal background check. CCR&R does not refer CACFP Alternate Approval homes unless they have met the qualifications to be listed as CCR&R Registered homes.
To learn more about becoming an ADE Regulated Provider or to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, please visit: http://www.azed.gov/health-nutrition/cacfp/
Unregulated Child Care Homes
In Arizona, child care providers who care for 4 or fewer children at a time for compensation do not need to be licensed or certified to provide care. They are not required to have a criminal or CPS background check. CCR&R does not refer unregulated homes unless they have met the qualifications to be listed as CCR&R Registered homes.
ACCREDITATION
A number of child care facilities choose to go through formal accreditation or national credential process. This process requires the provider to meet and maintain specific quality standards.
In Arizona, the Department of Economic Security, Child Care Administration, pays an enhanced reimbursement rate to providers (both child care centers and family home providers) who are accredited or meet national credential standards. The additional reimbursement rate is an additional 10% above the DES contracted maximum reimbursement rate.
Click here to view a list of DES recognized accrediting organizations
QUALITY FIRST
First Things First created Quality First to ensure that all Arizona kids have access to the quality early learning opportunities that will help them arrive at kindergarten ready to succeed. Quality First is Arizona's statewide quality improvement and rating system for providers of center- or home-based early care and education. Quality child care settings include: safe, healthy environments; highly educated teachers; classrooms and materials that stimulate kids at different stages of learning; and low staff to child ratios so that kids get the attention and support they need.
