Accredited Program Information
There are three main types of accredited programs:
FDCH=Family Day Care Home - These child care programs are unique in that they are located in the caregivers home. They provide care for an average of 6 -10 children. If a program has 6 children they are required to be licensed by the Division of Child Care and they receive several site visits per year to check for compliance of licensing regulations. Family Day Care Homes offer an intimate day care setting which resembles the child's own home.
VDCFH=Voluntary Registered Day Care Family Home - These programs have fewer than 6 children in their care. They are still eligible for the Special Nutrition Food Program but are not licensed by the Division of Child Care Licensing Unit. These programs do complete a self assessment of basic health and safety guidelines. They do not receive visits to verify compliance.
Day Care Center- Centers usually care for 25 or more children in a group setting. Centers may be church sponsored, operated by private for-profit providers, school-based, or community non-profit centers. Day care centers may offer care for infants, toddlers, preschool, and/or school age children full time or part time. All day care centers are required to be licensed by the Division of Child Care Licensing Unit and they receive several site visits per year to check for compliance of licensing regulations.
Licensed programs have met basic health and safety requirements for young children. There are different regulations for Centers and Family Day Care Homes to meet the different needs of both programs. If you feel that a program is not providing for the basic health and safety needs of young children in Arkansas, please contact this office to discuss your concerns and to issue a complaint towards the child care program. You also may call this office to see if there have been any validated major complaints against a particular child care program once you have narrowed down the search for child care to a particular site. There are many good child care programs, however, the parents need to do some checking to make sure that the program they choose is a good place for their child.
