Caring for Arizona's Children Starts with You
Watch this video and see if becoming a Department Economic Security (DES) Certified Family Child Care Provider is right for you.
If you are interested in being a DES Certified Family Child Care Provider, start your journey today!
Types of Providers
High quality early care and education matters. The need for child care providers in Arizona has never been greater. Together we can help provide a strong foundation for children's lifelong learning and development.
DES Certified Family Child Care Provider
DES certifies family child care providers to care for up to four children at one time in their home for compensation. Certified Family Child Care Providers can provide care for families that receive DES child care assistance and private pay families. |
Department of Health Services (DHS) Licensed Child Care Center/HomeDHS regulates any facility or home in which child care is provided for compensation to five or more children. The DHS Bureau of Child Care Licensing Provides the application, forms, and other resources for Child Care Providers to be licensed or certified by DHS. |
DES Contracted Child Care Center/HomeArizona Licensed Child Care Centers and Child Care Group Homes can enter into a contract with DES and receive financial reimbursement for providing child care to children eligible for DES child care assistance. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does the Division of Child Care Do?
The Department of Economic Security's Division of Child Care (DCC) provides child care assistance to eligible families who participate in employment activities and specific education and training courses. Child care services are delivered by a network of child care providers, which includes centers, child care homes, and individual family members who contract or have an agreement with DES to provide child care for eligible children and families.
Why is Early Care and Education Important?
Early Care and Education (ECE) lays the foundation for brain development, school success, and positive social interactions throughout a child's life. High-quality ECE programs provide experiences that stimulate cognitive, emotional, and social development, laying the foundation for lifelong learning. Children who participate in quality ECE programs are better prepared for elementary school because they have stronger language and literacy skills, better problem-solving skills, and higher levels of school readiness. A strong child care system supports working parents with safe and nurturing environments for their children during the workday.
Why is there a need for DES Certified Family Child Care Providers?
Family child care is a critical component of Arizona's early childhood care and education network. Offering working parents a mix of high quality choices for their child's early learning paves the way for their future learning success. Every day, thousands of children are cared for in a home-based child care setting. Families choose child care homes for location, flexible hours, language, or because they prefer for their children to be in a familiar environment with a smaller number of children, or siblings.
Through DES, Certified Family Child Care providers have access to additional financial resources and program support to ensure a safe, high quality child care environment.
Through DES, Certified Family Child Care providers have access to additional financial resources and program support to ensure a safe, high quality child care environment.
How do I know if I am eligible to become a DES Certified Family Child Care Provider?
The requirements for becoming a DES Certified Family Child Care Provider include:
- Must be 18 years of age.
- Background check for provider and all household members aged 18 years and older.
- Fingerprint clearance card for the provider, back up provider and all household members aged 18 years and older.
- Current immunization records for the provider and all family members aged 13 years and younger.
- Current proof of freedom from tuberculosis for provider and all household members.
- Child care liability insurance.
- Three references, professional or personal, whom you have known for at least one year.
- A safe, healthy, and child friendly home environment.
What supports are available to Providers?
Providers that contract with DES receive financial reimbursement for providing child care to children eligible for DES Child Care Assistance. Some of these benefits include:
- Receive a monthly payment for the child’s attendance.
- Enhanced Quality Rates for 3, 4, or 5 Quality First Star Rated and/or being Nationally Accredited.
- Stability, consistency, and continuity of care for low-income working families and children in the care of the Department of Child Safety.
- Advertise that your program offers care to DES eligible children, which may result in an increase in enrollment.
- FREE quality professional development training that meets both DHS and DES annual training requirements.
- Professional Career Pathway Project Scholarships for ECE college certification and degrees.
- Financial assistance through DES is available for liability insurance, fingerprinting, background checks, first aid and CPR certification.
Is your family in need of Child Care Assistance?
If you are interested in learning more about Child Care Assistance visit DES.
Families looking for Child Care options visit CCR&R.
Apply for Child Care Assistance
Families looking for Child Care options visit CCR&R.
Apply for Child Care Assistance