Welcome to the Office for Young Children (OYC) Website
We are here to help as you make decisions
about child care!
If you need child care, you want the very best setting
for your child. The following
list will give you idea of the types of regulated child care programs that are
available. Each type of program offers something different in
environment, experience and relationship. Email
an OYC Child Care Consultant to answer any questions you may have
about the qualities and characteristics of each type of program or give us a
call at (517) 887-4319 or toll free at 800-234-6996.
Child Care Centers
Child care centers include day care centers, preschools, nursery schools,
before and after school programs, and Head Start programs. Centers require to
be licensed with the State of Michigan, Office of Children and Adult
Licensing.
Group Day Care Homes
Homes in which two or more adults provide care for up to 12 children. These
homes require a license with the State of Michigan, Office of Children and
Adult Licensing.
Family Day Care Homes
Homes where an adult cares for one to six children. Family homes must be
registered
with the State of Michigan, Office
of Children and Adult Licensing.
Relative Care Provider
A child’s grandparent, great grandparent, aunt, uncle, or adult brother or
sister who provides care in their home and does not live with the child.
Relative
providers must be at least 18 years old and enrolled with the Department of
Human Services to receive child care payments from the State.
Day Care Aide
A person you employ to care for your child(ren) in your home. Aides must be at
least 18 years old and enrolled with the Department of Human Services to
receive child care payments from the State.
We
understand your concerns about quality, affordability and dependability
 
Choosing Quality Child Care is Important to You
Let's face it, choosing someone to take care of your child can be one of the
scariest tasks on earth. How do you know your child will be safe?
How can you trust a stranger to take care of your child? Will your child
feel loved? Will your child love the provider more than you?
These
questions are common among parents looking for child care, whether it's your
first child or you're an old pro at this. Even if you have someone you think
is a good provider, are you always wondering, "Did I make the right choice?"
Your first step, of course, is to call us for a list of referrals. All the
providers in our database are either licensed or registered with the State of
Michigan. That doesn't guarantee quality, but it is an important first step.
Once you get that list, you'll want to call and talk to each of the
providers. You'll get to know them a little bit over the phone, but then
you'll want to go visit their homes/centers and see for yourself if this is
some place you'd like your child to be.
The Office for Young Children (OYC) has
resources to help you make this important
decision easier.
OYC is proud to be have achieved national
accreditation through the National Association for Child Care Resource and
Referral Agencies (NACCRRA). Click on the logo above to visit the NACCRRA,
Child Care Aware website for excellent tools and tips to help you in the process
of choosing childcare.
In addition, OYC is here locally to answer your questions!
OYC also encourages you to speak
directly to a Referral Specialist, contact us by
email or call (517)887-4319 or toll free 800-234-6996
or you may use our Child Care Referral Intake Form
to submit your request for child care referrals. Let us focus on finding child
care options for you, so you can focus on choosing child care!
A child care Referral Specialist will ask you
for information to help them give you referrals to child care facilities which
meet your needs. A list of referrals will be given to you by email, telephone,
fax, mail or in person.
OYC only provides referrals to child care facilities
registered or licensed by the State of Michigan. The facilities to whom
referrals are made must be in good standing with the Department of Human Services,
Office of Children and Adult Licensing.
The information provided by OYC is not an
endorsement or recommendation of any caregiver or facility. The lists of
providers are intended as referrals only.
Under the
Freedom of Information Act the public may receive Licensing Study Reports and
completed Special Investigation Reports for family day care homes, group homes,
and child care centers. A taped message on how to order these written reports
from the State is available by calling 373-3598.
These Reports are available for free on-line at
FOIA - Freedom of Information using the License search feature,
Child Care Centers and Homes Locator.
Parents can file a complaint about a child care program with the Licensing Division by calling toll
free (866)856-0126 or with the
On-line Complaint Form.
If you have comments or concerns about the OYC referral services you received, please contact
Lori Brasic (517) 887-4541 or
LBrasic@Ingham.org
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