Finding the perfect childcare provider may seem like an overwhelming task, but we are here to help! In the following sections you will find various resources about everything from selecting the best child care for your families needs to information about parenting.

Choosing Child Care

There are many things to consider when choosing child care. Below are some valuable resources for finding the perfect fit for your needs.

www.childcareaware.org  Americans' most trusted child care resource provides information on choosing child care. The Daily Parent newsletter also offers the latest information on child care development issues, tips for finding quality child care, and numerous resources for busy parents

The Child Care Guide is an excellent resource to help answer your questions about child care.
http://www.helplinecenter.org/Uploads/Documents/NewChildCareGuideWeb.pdf

Another thing to keep in mind is that there is a difference between child care and babysitting. Below is an evaluation of the differences between the two.
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Licencing Requirements

In South Dakota there are three types of child care as defined by the state. 

• Child care centers- serve 21 or more children. 
• Family day care homes- between 13 and 20 children. Both the center and the group family day care home must be licensed by the state.
• Individuals with 12 or fewer children in their home have the choice as to whether they wish to be registered with the state. For more information on the requirements of child care providers click here.

 

Financial Information

The cost of child care is another factor to consider when looking for child care. The choice of staying home with your child or seeking outside child care is an important decision to make. For tips on making this decision visit:
http://www.childcareaware.org/en/tools/decision_making_tool/ . For families who qualify for financial assistance, help is available through the Child Care Subsidy Program if your child is at a licensed or registered provider. There are also federal tax breaks available.

Additional Parent Resources

If you would like more information and tips about a variety of parenting topics:

www.helplinecenter.org
www.childcareaware.org

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT CHILD CARE IN YOUR AREA CALL 1-800-227-3020 OR IN SIOUX FALLS OR RAPID CITY DIAL 211.