Child Care Resource and Referral

The WorkLife Office provides Stanford faculty, staff, students, and affiliates with information on child care options in the surrounding communities and on campus. The Office also has consumer education materials on choosing center care and finding quality family home care (interviewing, checking references, setting up a contract, parental responsibilities as an employer, etc.). Resource information includes, but is not limited to:

• Licensed and accredited child care centers, preschools, and nursery schools in the Palo Alto and surrounding communities
• Family child care homes in Escondido Village
• In-home agencies, nannies, au-pairs
• After-school programs and school vacation programs
• Occasional baby-sitting and playgroups
• Summer camps and youth programs

The Office staff can meet individually with parents to review the process and the information or we can send a packet that provides information on:

• Choosing the best child care and early childhood programs for your child
• Employing a child care provider (including income tax, unemployment and worker's compensation, state licensing requirements)
• County child care coordinating council resource and referral agencies
• Support and education resources for parents (including single parents and those with special needs children)
• Tax-free health and dependent care spending accounts for employees
• Easing the transition between home and groups for young children

There is also a lending library which contains further information on child care options, special needs for infants and toddlers and choosing high quality care. Call or e-mail the WorkLife Office for a full bibliography.

TYPES OF CHILD CARE

A Nanny Or Child Care Giver In Your Home

Having a caregiver in your home can be a tremendous support to the entire family. Many families with two or more children under five years of age may find this to be a more economical childcare solution. A recent trend has been for two families to share a nanny. The families may alternate which home the care is given in to follow an agreed upon schedule. Since predictability and consistency are important to infants and young children it is best to do this on a quarterly or semester basis.

Care in your home offers the stability of a familar environment, equipment and supplies. It allows you to come and go without disrupting the child's sleep and play schedule. Care when your child is ill may also be much easier. It is important to have a back-up plan when your caregiver is ill. Talk with the caregiver about this ahead of time. Employing someone in your home also has special tax and employment considerations - benefits, vacations, etc.

For more information on this option contact the WorkLife Office Program Coordinator. The WorkLife Office has a bulletin board near its Escondido Village location where parents and caregivers can post their needs and availability. The WorkLife Office also has a list of agencies that can assist you in finding a caregiver for your home.

Family Home Child Care

Family Home Care or Family Day Care refers to care of your child in the caregiver's home. In California family home providers may care for up to six children in their home. The state requires that a family home provider who cares for children from more than one family in addition to their own be licensed by Community Care Licensing Division of the Department of Social Services. State licensing requires: attendance at a caregiving orientation; a home visit to approve the appropriateness and safety of the caregiver's home; the completion of Infant and Child CPR Training; and compliance with other regulations. These regulations are intended to provide basic consumer protection.

Family home or relative care is the most common type of childcare for infants and toddlers. Quality of the care can vary widely, so making a selection requires time and asking the right questions. The WorkLife Office can help you with this process. Call our Program Coordinator at 723-2660.

Center Care

Child development centers, child care centers, day care centers, nursery schools, and preschools are all programs which care for young children in groups. All centers are required to be licensed by the Community Care Licensing Division of the California State Department of Social Services. The Stanford area has many centers both profit and non-profit. We have six programs right here on the Stanford campus.

Programs vary in structure and in the programs they offer. Some are half-day programs and are open only during the school year. For families seeking full time care, these half-day programs can sometimes be combined with home care or a nanny situation. Many more of the programs are full day and operate year round to provide childcare for parents working out of the home. Some centers offer infant and toddler care; some offer programs for ages 2 through 5 years only; and some offer the full continuum of care usually from 6 or 8 weeks through pre-kindergarten five year olds.

One of the best quality markers is to look for a center which has received accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children. NAEYC, early childhood's primary professional program, sets quality of care standards that exceed state licensing regulations and are a benchmark for choosing programs of excellence. For guidance in selecting high quality care and more information on accreditation contact the WorkLife Office at 723-2660.