A step-by-step guide to finding the right early care and education for your family.
YMCA CHILDCARE RESOURCE SERVICE
Choosing Child Care
San Diego
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Early care and education providers make a deep and lasting impact in the lives of children and families. Choosing a program where you feel confident your child will be safe, loved, and learning is a huge relief for any parent – especially for parents balancing work, school, and family life. Finding the right match can seem overwhelming at first, but this quick guide is designed to simplify the process and help you feel confident in your decision.
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Visit: childcaresandiego.com
Use the Choosing Quality Early Care and Education Checklist
WELCOME
Check Your Eligibility for Free or Subsidized Care
Call:1-800-481-2151 · Mon–Fri 8a–5p
Appendix B: Frequently Asked Questions
Connect with Us Again When You Need School-Age Care or Another Care Service
Select Programs to Visit
Our dedicated Child Care Navigators are available to guide you through your options at no cost.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Visit Programs
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Find Early Care and Education Providers Near You
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Appendix A: Overview of Early Care and Education Program Types
Email: myreferral@ymcasd.org
We’re here to help your family find the right fit.
Select Your Top Choice and Enroll!
CHOOSING CHILD CARE • SAN DIEGO
Identify Quality Care
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NEED HELP ALONG THE WAY?
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Enjoy Your New Early Learning Community
Check your eligibility for free or subsidized care
Find early care and education providers near you
A variety of free early learning and care programs are available throughout San Diego County, and financial assistance options can help eligible families pay for nearly any program of their choice. A great first step is to visit childcaresandiego.com, powered by YMCA Childcare Resource Service, to check your eligibility and begin the application process.
A tailored list of providers matching your family’s needs — with confirmed availability Support applying for financial assistance A friendly expert to answer questions and provide resources
Select programs to visit
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Once you know what you’re eligible for and have a list of programs you’re interested in, you can contact providers directly through childcaresandiego.com, call providers directly, or ask a Child Care Navigator for assistance making connections. You’ll want to ask whether they have space available and schedule a tour. If a program does not currently have space available, you may want to ask whether there is a cost to join the waitlist and how long they anticipate the wait may be. If you are still interested based on those responses, you can often schedule a tour before deciding whether to join the waitlist.
Search for care at childcaresandiego.com, home to San Diego County’s most comprehensive database of licensed and license-exempt child care providers. You can filter by your family’s needs and preferences such as location, hours and days of operation, annual calendar, language, cost, and more. You can also filter by programs you may be eligible for, including free or subsidized options. YMCA Childcare Resource Service’s Child Care Navigators offer free full-service support to help you find and connect with programs that meet your family’s needs. Call 1-800-481-2151 Monday through Friday, 8:00AM–5:00PM, or email myreferral@ymcasd.org to access:
CHILDCARESANDIEGO.COM •1-800-481-2151
getting started
LISTEN
LOOK
The knowledge and experience of the adults caring for your child is very important. Ask about the background, education, training, and experience of caregivers, teachers, and program directors. Do they participate in any ongoing professional development? Do they belong to any professional organizations or hold national accreditation? You may also ask about recent licensing inspections or violations. You can check a program’s licensing history by contacting Community Care Licensing at 1-844-538-8766 or visiting https://www.ccld.dss.ca.gov/ carefacilitysearch/.
Count the number of children and staff members in the group. Generally, the fewer children per adult, the more attention your child can receive. Smaller group sizes are especially important for infants and younger children. The facility license should be posted and indicate the number of children allowed.
Use the checklist on the next page to guide your visits — and contact our Child Care Navigators if you have questions.
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COUNT
Do you see caregivers/teachers talking and playing with children at their eye level? Do you see plenty of toys and learning materials within children’s reach? Do you notice any potential safety concerns? Are appropriate protections in place?
A place that’s too quiet may mean limited engagement, while a place that’s too noisy may suggest a lack of structure or guidance. A teacher’s tone and words also provide clues about program quality. Do you hear children who sound happy, engaged, and involved? Does the teacher’s tone of voice sound patient, encouraging, and cheerful? Are the teacher’s words interactive and supportive rather than mostly directive? Positive interaction and descriptive acknowledgement support healthy child development.
STEP 4 • VISIT PROGRAMS
ASK
How to identify quality early care and education
Visit programs.
You should see safe, welcoming spaces filled with positive interactions and active engagement. Stay as long as you can and visit more than once if possible.
High-quality early care and education that is consistent, developmentally appropriate, and emotionally supportive leads to meaningful short- and long-term benefits — stronger math and language skills, better social development, and self-regulation that can last a lifetime. Visiting in person is strongly recommended.
Nutritional meals and snacks are provided
Providers communicate daily with parents about their child
Areas for quiet and active play
CHECK LICENSING | WWW.CCLD.DSS.CA.GOV/CAREFACILITYSEARCH
Program is accessible and safe for the child, and accommodates adaptive equipment
PHONE
Contract, fees, late charges, and other policies are reviewed
Physical activity is incorporated throughout the day
SETTING
Provider has special training, skill or experience with children with special needs
Children are supervised at all times
Children's work is at eye level and reflects diversity
The program has space available for my child when I need it.
Positive guidance is used to help children learn self-control
Provider is open to attending the IEP or IFSP meetings
Provider has experience, education, and training in the field
The program accepts the subsidies I plan to use (if applicable).
Parents are encouraged to visit at any time
TV and video viewing are limited to short educational programs
Fee:
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Provider speaks to the children at eye level
Ample space for the children
ACTIVITIES
Fill one out for each program you visit. Keep your notes to compare later.
The cost of care works for my budget. Cost:
PROVIDER / TEACHER
QUALITY CHECKLIST — OBSERVE DURING YOUR VISIT
The hours of care and program calendar meet my needs. Hours and Calendar:
Area for resting
Opportunities to enjoy free play, outdoor play, story time, planned activities and nap time
Environment has natural lighting and uses natural colors
Choosing quality early care & education checklist
The location of the program is convenient for me.
Provider and children look happy together
Regular meetings are scheduled to discuss the child's development
THE PROGRAM
CALL A NAVIGATOR OR CHECK THE PROGRAM WEBSITE
Record your impressions during and after your visit — what the teachers were doing, how the children looked, questions you want to follow up on.
Program addresses multiple areas of learning and development
The program is licensed (if required). #
Children's needs are quickly met
Program philosophy and values are similar to yours
Enough materials for all children present
I feel comfortable with the program's licensing history.
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Does not currently have space, but I can join their waitlist. May have space by:
Parents can volunteer and are supported to continue learning at home
Toys are clean, free of hazards, and within the child's reach
QUALITY CHECKLIST
State license and emergency plan is posted
NOTES & OBSERVATIONS
Daily schedule and lesson plan are posted
Provider helps children express and understand feelings
PROGRAM NAME
ADDRESS
Enough staff to ensure proper safety
Provider screens for developmental and behavioral concerns
Fenced outdoor play area with a variety of safe equipment
Children with special needs are included and activities are adapted to their needs and abilities
Provider is patient, warm, and accepting
Children are comforted when needed
NEXT STEPS
Parent or caregiver contact information List of authorized & unauthorized pickups Current immunization record (annual) Doctor and dentist contact information Emergency contact names and numbers Physical form by a doctor (center-based) Child’s food restrictions & allergies Current medications & dosing instructions
“It takes a village to raise a child.”
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Enjoy your new early learning community.
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Child care providers are important partners in your child’s development. Working together with them to ensure your child has a positive experience can help your family get the most out of the program. Be sure to check in regularly about how things are going and align on consistent expectations at home and in the classroom whenever possible. The other families in your child care program are also an important part of your family’s support network, and you are part of theirs. Social connections with the other families in the program can build your knowledge, support your well-being, provide you access to new resources and activities, and create meaningful friendships. Connecting can be as simple as chatting at drop off and pick up, or it may grow into playdates, carpools, or community activities. Don’t underestimate the value of these relationships – strong communities support strong families. As the saying goes,
Connect with us again when needs change.
Select your top choice & enroll!
COMMON ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS
Once you’ve completed your visits, contact your top-choice provider to begin enrollment. If they don’t have space immediately, join their waitlist and consider enrolling elsewhere in the meantime. Ask your provider what information, documentation, initial payment, and health records may be required for enrollment.
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Even the best care matches change over time. Families move, jobs change, and children grow. Whenever your child care needs change, we’re here to help. Visit childcaresandiego.com or call our Child Care Navigators at 1-800-481-2151 to begin your search again. We look forward to supporting your family in finding the right child care match for every stage of your child’s growth.
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Staff Minimum Qualifications
Maximum Adult to Child Ratios
Monitoring
Provider must be at least 18 years old and live in the home, and must complete CPR, First Aid, and Preventive Health training. Large family child care home providers must have at least 1 year experience. Assistants must complete health and safety training and be at least 14 years old.
Small FCC: 1:4 infants only OR up to 3 infants and 3 children over the age of 2 OR up to 2 infants, 2 school-enrolled children and all other children over the age of 2. Large FCC with assistant: Up to 4 infants and 8 children over the age of 2 years OR up to 3 infants, 2 school-enrolled children, and all other children over the age of 2..
Licensed and monitored by California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing.
Licensed Child Care or Preschool Center
appendix a
Director: 12 units in child development and 4 years of experience Teacher: 12 units in child development Teacher Aide: 6 units in child development, and at least 18 years old
1:4 infants 1:12 preschoolers Specific publicly-funded licensed programs identified below apply more stringent ratio requirements.
Safe, quality programs come in many shapes and sizes. Here’s a guide to the types of early care and education available in California — from licensed centers and family child care homes to state-funded preschool, Head Start, and military programs.
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Licensed Family Child Care Home (FCC)
Early care and education programs operating out of a provider’s home, licensed to serve more than one family in addition to the provider’s own family. These programs are licensed to serve up to 8 children, or up to 14 children when an assistant is present. Most serve infants and preschool age children and many serve school age children as well. Hours and annual schedules may vary. Many families needing evening and weekend hours of care are served in these programs.
Appendix A: Overview of early learning & care program types.
Includes nearly all early care and education programs in commercial or public facilities — free and fee-based, serving a variety of ages, on varying daily and yearly schedules.
*Trustline note: If you are using public financial assistance to help pay for your child care costs, a family, friend, neighbor, or nanny caregiver must obtain and pass a background check through the Trustline Program. The exception to this requirement is if the caregiver is the grandparent, aunt, or uncle of the children. To check if a provider is registered with Trustline, call 1-800-822-8490.
Early care and education provided by a caregiver in their home or the family’s home, serving no more than one other family besides their own at a time.
California State Preschool Program (CSPP)
No minimum qualifications. See note below regarding requirements for these providers to accept public financial assistance.
May only care for children from one family in addition to their own at a time.
Monitoring is the responsibility of the parent.
This is a licensed early care and education program that is free to eligible families, funded by the State of California. The program primarily serves infants and toddlers, though some may serve older children. Schedules can be full or part-time, and programs may operate all year or during the school year only.
Program Directors, Site Directors, and Teachers must all have specific permits or credentials. Review credentials at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ sp/cd/ci/csppstaffqual.asp
1:8 children
Licensed and monitored by California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing, and state auditors from the Department of Education.
License-Exempt: Family, Friend, Neighbor, or Nanny
Program Directors, Site Directors, and Teachers must all have specific permits or credentials. Review credentials at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ inforesources/child-care-and- development/laws-and-regulations/ general-staffing-qualification.
Infants (0–18 months) Ratio: 1:3 Toddlers (18 months–3 years) Ratio: 1:4 Preschoolers (3 years–school- enrolled) Ratio: 1:8 School-Enrolled Children Ratio: 1:14
This is a licensed early care and education program that is free to eligible families, funded by the State of California. The program primarily serves 3 and 4 year old children. Schedules can be full or part-time, and programs may operate all year or during the school year only.
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This is a license-exempt early care and education program on a military base. They serve infants to preschoolers (6 weeks to 5 years old). Schedules can include full-day, part-day, and hourly. Fees are charged on a sliding scale and take into account a service member’s total family income.
Early Head Start Centers
Head Start Centers
Military Child Development Center (CDC)
Director: Must have a baccalaureate degree and experience with supervision Teacher: Must have a Child Development Associate (CDA) or comparable credential, and have been trained or have equivalent coursework in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development.
2:8 children 3:9 children
Licensed and monitored by California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing, and federal auditors from the Office of Head Start.
This is a licensed early care and education program that is free to eligible families, funded by the federal government. Early Head Start programs also provide additional comprehensive support to families. It primarily serves pregnant women, infants, and toddlers. Schedules can be full or part-time, and programs may operate all year or during the school year only.
Director: Must have a baccalaureate degree and experience with supervision Teacher: Must have at least an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in child development or early education, equivalent coursework, or otherwise meet the requirements of the program.
Majority 3 year old classrooms: 2:17 children or 2:15 in a double session Majority 4 and 5 year old classrooms: 2:20 children or 2:17 in a double session
This is a licensed early care and education program that is free to eligible families, funded by the federal government. Head Start programs also provide additional comprehensive support to families. It primarily serves 3 and 4 year old children. Schedules can be full or part-time, and programs may operate all year or during the school year only.
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Military Family Child Care
FCC providers must be 18 years old and complete relevant DoD training requirements.
Multi-Age Family Child Care Home (4 weeks–12 years) Ratio: 1:6 Infant/Toddler Family Child Care Home (4 weeks–3 years) Ratio: 1:3
Must be Department of Defense Certified and are encouraged to be accredited by National Association of Family Child Care or other national accreditation.
Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK or TK)
In public schools, a valid California Teaching Credential and at least 24 units in child development OR a child development teacher permit OR professional experience in a classroom setting with preschool age children comparable to 24 units of education are required for TK teachers. Private school staff have no minimum requirements except for staff serving students with Individualized Education Programs, must meet public school requirements.
Ratio:1:10
Public TK programs are monitored by the California Department of Education. TK programs that are part of private elementary schools are not licensed or regulated by any state agency. Private elementary schools may participate in voluntary accreditation.
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This is a license-exempt early care and education program on a military base operating out of a person’s home. They typically serve infants through school-age children. They offer a variety of hours which may include full-day, part-day, school year, summer, 24/7, and extended care. Fees are charged on a sliding scale and take into account a service member’s total family income.
APPENDIX A • MILITARY & SCHOOL
**TK note: Most elementary school campuses offer fee-based and/or free before and/or after school care. Many have limited capacity, and some may not accept TK students. Check with your school to see what is available, and connect with our Child Care Navigators to learn more about your options. Child Care Navigators can also help find care for school break periods as needed.
Who do I call if I see something that concerns me while visiting a program?
We’re here to help at every step. Reach out to our Child Care Navigators at 1-800-481-2151, visit childcaresandiego.com, or email myreferral@ymcasd.org.
We will provide you with program options based on your request, but we are not able to make specific recommendations. We suggest using the tools and checklists provided to help you observe and evaluate the programs provided through our referral process. You can also review a potential provider’s public record to obtain information on their licensing history.
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You can contact Community Care Licensing (CCL) to anonymously report anything you feel is not appropriate. To file a complaint regarding a state licensed facility, call 1-844-538-8766. In most cases, a visit to the site will take place within 10 days of receiving the complaint. Visit www.ccld.ca.gov for more information.
I do not have an email address. Can I pick up a list of referrals?
How long will the referral phone call take?
Can you recommend a quality program for my child?
Frequently asked questions
A quality referral call will take approximately 10–15 minutes. Our dedicated Child Care Navigators will ask you a few questions to identify options that best fit your needs and provide you with important information to help you make an informed decision.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
When are the YMCA Child Care Navigators available?
APPENDIX B • FAQ
YMCA Child Care Navigators are available Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Give us a call at 1-800-481-2151. If you call outside our business hours, leave a message for a call back the next business day. You can also search childcaresandiego.com anytime, or email myreferral@ymcasd.org for assistance.
Yes. Our office is located at YMCA Childcare Resource Service, 4451 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92116, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Ready to find your perfect match?
YMCA Childcare Resource Service, San Diego County’s Childcare Resource & Referral Agency is here to help your family find safe, quality early care and education — at no cost to you.
myreferral@ymcasd.org
California Department of Social Services
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