1100 Elizabeth St. Suite 1
Lafaytte, IN 47904
Ph: 765-742-7105 or 800-932-3302
Fax: 765-423-7416
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We provide resources that give families valuable information regarding child care options and tips for selecting quality child care. Our Referral Specialists take the time to help families find a child care provider that will work best with their schedules, income, location, and special needs. Please note that this service is Free and Confidential. Also the list we provide you is a Referral, not a Recommendation. Please see information below on choosing quality child care. To get a community referral, click here or call Terra, our referral specialist, at
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Five Steps to Finding Good Child Care
1. Start Early! Start looking as far in advance as you can.2. Make a call to your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency. Ask the following questions:
A. What are the licensing requirements in my area?
B. How can I get more information about complaints and licensing violations? Click for our complaint policies.
C. Are there any child care financial assistance programs that my family qualifies for? We can tell you who to contact in order to find the Child Care Develpment Fund (CCDF) intake agent in your county.3. Visit and Ask Questions
A. Ask how many children there are for each adult.
B. Find out how many children are in a group.
C. Ask about the caregivers’ education and training
1. Are the caregivers involved in activities to improve their skills?
2. Do they attend classes and workshops? Caregivers with degrees and/or special training in working with children will be better able to help your child learn.
3. Check how long the caregivers have been at the center or providing care in their homes. It's better if children stay with the same caregiver at least one year)
4. Make a Choice. Think about what you saw at each visit, and make the best choice for your child and family.4. Find out if the child care provider has been accredited by a national organization. (Providers that are accredited have met voluntary standards for child care that are higher than most state licensing requirements)
5. Stay involved! Have parent-caregiver meetings regularly and ask questions. Offer to volunteer when needed, like participating with holiday parties, fixing broken toys, or visit you child at child care and read a book aloud.
Five Steps to Choosing a Safe and Healthy Child Care
1. Look! Visit several different child care programs before you decide which one is best for your family. Look for:
A. Children are supervised at all times, even during naptime.
B. Caregivers and children wash their hands often, especially before and after eating, and after using the bathroom or changing diapers( both caregiver and child).
2. Check!
A. Toxic substances like cleaning supplies and pest killers are kept away from children.
B. First aid kits are available.
C. Posting of practice fire drills once every month is available.
D. Safe playground equipment has no sharp edges and is kept in good shape.
E. Medication is out of reach of children.
3. Count! Count the number of adults and number of children they will each be supervising. Be certain there are enough adults to supervise all of the different activities that are planned.
4. Ask!
A. ...about the training and experience of all adults who will be with your children.
B. ...about first aid and rescue breathing training.
C. ...about discipline policies to make sure they are compatible with your philosophy.
D. ...about children being able to choose among activities.
E. ...about caregiver’s knowledge of child development.
F. ...if all caregivers have gone through a background check.
Did you know that The Child Care Resource Network has an Infant and Toddler Specialist? She is available to do an enhanced referral, answer questions about best practices, and lend support to parents and providers.
Please contact Erin Nissley at 765-742-7105 ext. 106
What to look for in a Responsive Child Care Setting for Infants and Toddlers
- Children are allowed to function on individual schedules.
- Parents receive daily written reports about their children’s day (and formal progress reports twice a year)
- Parents are free to visit any time during the day
- Caregiver adheres to the state-regulated caregiver/child ratio.
- Caregiver’s turnover rate for families is under 20%.
- If caregivers leave, staff help children to understand the transition.
- Staff receive medical benefits, vacation leave, and continuing education support.
- Caregivers respond to child-initiated interests..
- Parents can get involved in the program.
- If the parent is nursing, the caregiver is responsive and accommodating.
Health and Safety Issues to Consider for Infants and Toddlers
- Diapering, sleeping, food preparation and play area are separate.
- Clearly written sanitation procedures are specific to each area.
- Instructions are posted on proper diapering and food storage/preparation procedures.
- Staff receive training on health and safety issues.
- Infant’s and toddler’s toys are wash and disinfected regularly.
- A sick child policy is in place.
- Adults regularly conduct safety checks of all area inside and out for potential safety hazards.
- Staff maintain children’s personal grooming standards (e.g., hand washing).
- Infants are put to sleep on their backs.
- Staff is equipped with appropriate first aid material. Staff members know basic first aid techniques (e.g., CPR).
- Staff practice fire drills and evacuation procedures.
Finding Help Paying for Child Care
Attention Military Families - click here to find out if you are eligible to receieve assistance in paying for off-post child care programs.
What is the Child Care Development Fund Program (CCDF)?
Am I eligible to receive financial assistance?
Your family may be eligible if:
- You have children under the age of 13, or 18 with documented special needs
- Your family income is at or below 127% poverty level
- If you receive TANF funds from the Division of Family Resource Office (you have priority)
- Your children reside with you
Service Eligibility is determined on an individual basis.
- Employment
- A certified or accredited training or education program, including high school. Adult education or GED (correspondence classes are not covered)
- TANF Impact approved activity: Job Search, Employment, Education, Job Readiness
- Benton- Chris Sheetz 765-385-0623
- Boone- Kim Williamson 765-482-0784
- Carroll- Chrissy Packard 800-654-9421
- Cass– Chrissy Packard 800-654-9421
- Clinton– Chrissy Packard 800-654-9421
- Fountain– Diane DeSutter 765-793-4881
- Jasper– Candy Nestlehut 219-285-2247
- Newton– Candy Nestlehut 219-285-2247
- Pulaski- Susan Noel 574-946-6500
- Tippecanoe– Area Five 765-477-5802
- Warren– Diane DeSutter 765-793-4881
- White- Chrissy Packard 800-654-9421
- Ask if your local government, United Way, or other community or faith-based organization provides child care scholarship.
- Does your employer (or college, if you are a student) provide child care scholarships, discounts to certain programs, or on-site child care at reduced rates?
- Ask if your child care provider offers scholarships, discounts or a sliding fee scale.
- Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded and sometimes state funded full or part-day programs that provide child care and other services to help meet the health and school readiness needs of eligible children. Most, but not all, families who access Head Start or Early Head Start must have incomes that meet federal poverty guidelines.
- You may be able to lower your taxes and even get up to several thousand dollars back if you qualify for Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). To qualify you must be working full or part-time and make less than a certain amount based upon family size. You don't have to owe any taxes to the Earned Income Tax Credit.
- If you have a dependent child under age 17, you may be able to get the Child Tax Credit (CTC), which can be worth hundreds of dollars per child. The income limit for the CTC us much higher than for the Earned Income Tax Credit, but you still don't have to owe any taxes to get the CTC.
- If you have a child under age 13, and owe federal income taxes, the Federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit can help cover a portion or all of the taxes you owe if you qualify.
- Many states offer their own Earned or Child Dependent Care Tax Credits. These credits are similar to the Federal ones, except that in some states, you don't have to owe any taxes to get the State Child and Dependent Care credit. You can get both Federal and State Earned Income and Child and Dependent Care credits.
- Your employer may have a Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), which allows you to have money (up to $5,000 a year) taken out of you paycheck tax-free and put into a special account to be used for child care tuition reimbursement. The main purpose of this type of program is to help you lower the amount of taxes you have to pay during the year. You should never put more into this account than you will actually spend, because in most cases you will lose any leftover at the end of the year You also cant claim any money you put in a DCAP for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit.
Did you know that The Child Care Resource Network has an Inclusion Specialist ? She is available to do an enhanced referral, answer questions about best practices, and lend support to parents and providers with children that have special needs. Finding a Caregiver/Teacher for Children with Special Needs Look for: Selecting a Quality After-School Program Look and Listen for:
Please contact Melissa Brown at 765-742-7105 ext. 105
