What does child (day) care mean?
Child day care is the care by a parent substitute for a portion of a
24-hour day. The term " day care " service refers to both "day time"
care and "night-time" care. "Night-time" care is usually provided after
7:00 p.m. This would also include so-called "third-shift", "odd hour",
and week-end care.
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How are day care providers licensed or approved?
If a provider is required to be licensed or chooses to be licensed, a
staff member from either the County or State Department of Human
Resources performs that function.
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How do I get on the USDA Food and Nutrition program?
Contact the State Department of Education at 334-242-8249.
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How do I start a Day Care Center?
Contact the Department of Human Resources Child Day Care Division at
(334) 242-1425 and request to speak to Child Care Intake. A packet of
information will be mailed to you upon your request to this unit.
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How do I start a Day Care Home?
Contact the Department of Human Resources office in your county.
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How do I get a copy of the Child Care Minimum Standards?
Two documents are available for your review:
Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers and Nighttime Centers (PDF File)
Minimum Standards for Family Day Care Homes, Family Nighttime Homes,
Group Day Care Homes, and Group Nighttime Homes (PDF File)
(Download Adobe Acrobat Reader)
You are also invited to contact the Department of Human Resources Child
Day Care Division at (334) 242-1425 and request to speak to Child Care
Intake or go to the website for the
National Resource Center for Health
and Safety in Child Care .
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How do I get a list of Child Care Providers?
For Centers, contact the Department of Human Resources Child Day Care
Division at (334) 242-1425 and request to speak to Child Care Intake.
For Homes, contact the Department of Human Resources office in your
county.
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Does the Department of Human Resources provide start-up funding for new
Child Care facilities?
No.
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How do I file a complaint against a provider?
Contact the Department of Human Resources Child Care Services Division
at (334) 242-1425 or 1-866-528-1694 and request to speak to Child Care
Intake. Complaints that are violations of the Child Care Minimum
Standards will be investigated by the Department.