Available Child Care Options
Registered Family Child Care
CHS is the sponsoring agency for the N.J. Department of Children and Families Office of Licensing for family child care registration. A registered provider provides care in a private residence, for 5 or fewer children at one time. Our agency conducts inspections as well as curriculum and program observations. Providers must attend eight hours of pre-service training as well as CPR and First Aid.
Child Care Center
A child care center means any home or facility maintained for the care, development and supervision of six or more children under 13 years of age. For further information on licensing requirements, click here.
Preschool/Nursery School
Most preschools are licensed by the state of New Jersey as child care centers. However, there are those that are operated by public school districts or religious organizations that are exempt from licensure. Parents seeking part-time care might choose a nursery school program. They usually run the same as a school year, operating nine months out of the year. The curriculum may vary.
Before/After School Programs
These are programs for children who need care before and after their school day. Programs may be found at child care centers, family child care homes or specific sites.The programs may offer activities, snack, homework assistance, free play, and outdoor play. Click here for more information from NJ School Age Care Coalition.
Summer Camp
Daily child care programs, specifically designed for school age children, are offered throughout the summer season at a variety of sites. Community centers, child care centers, family child care homes, schools, and religious organizations offer camp programs. The NJ Dept of Health & Senior Services issues Health & Safety certificates to those programs that don’t fall under the Office of Licensing requirements for a child care center. Be sure the program you select has a variety of age appropriate activities, plenty of materials and a qualified staff. Camp programs may charge additional fees for field trips or special events.
In-Home Care
Usually called nannies or “au-pairs,” these child care providers come to your home to provide the care. There may be nanny placement agencies in your area to help with the screening process. Our agency will be happy to offer you the names of placement agencies.
Head Start
Head Start is a national program that provides comprehensive developmental and social services to low-income children and their families. This program is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Administration of Children and Families.
Self-Arranged Child Care
Participants in either the TANF/Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) or New Jersey Cares for Kids (NJCK) program have the option of selecting a friend or relative to care for their children. Our agency, after clearance of a Child Abuse Record Information (CARI) check by the State of New Jersey, will conduct a DHS/DCF Health & Safety Inspection and
provider interview. When these things have been completed satisfactorily, WFNJ and NJCK funding can pay the amount specified by the state to that provider for child care services. The providers cannot be referred by our agency to any other parent or be paid to watch children from other families while they are being paid through the subsidy programs.
Special Needs Child Care
The Americans with Disabilities Act guarantees children with disabilities the opportunity to participate in all activities of community life, including attending child care. Unfortunately, not all child care centers or providers have the expertise, experience or physical set-up to care for special needs children. As a parent, you must be aware of your child’s individual needs as they fit in with the program that’s offered. We have a variety of written material available that might help make your choice a little easier. We are the only county in the state that has a Special Needs Family Child Care Network. The Network is comprised of registered providers who have received specialized training in several key areas of developmental delays, medical or physical disabilities, etc.
Sliding Scale or Fee-Based Child Care Programs
These private, not-for-profit child care centers are licensed by DYFS and are subsidized through federal grants. Parents must meet eligibility requirements in order to be approved for the subsidy. The centers may be subsidized fully, or charge parents a partial fee based on their income and family size.