{Calendar of Events} {Choosing Care} {Community Resources}
{Enhanced Referrals} {e-Forum} {Financial Help} {OYC Home Page} {Training}

  Office for Young Children (OYC)

How the Child Care Referral Process Works

1. For child care referrals in Ingham, Eaton, Clinton and Shiawassee Counties phone the Office for Young Children. OYC is open Monday-Friday from 8:00am - 5:00pm and Tuesdays until 6:00pm. Locally call 887-4319, or toll-free outside the Lansing calling area call (800) 234-6996. After hours a recording machine will record your message, or send us and email and let us know when we may call you back.  Alternately, you can fill out a Child Care Referral Intake Form and email, FAX (517)887-4310, or mail it to OYC.
   (For child care referrals in other parts of Michigan checkout the MI 4C website for a Regional 4C near you, or call toll free (866)4CHILDCARE, (866 424 4532), for the Regional 4C closest to you.)
2. When you speak with the OYC child care specialist on the phone they will describe the different types of child care arrangements available to parents in our area.
3. The child care specialist will ask for the following information: Name, address, home and work phone number, requested child care location (near work, school or home), beginning date child care is needed, names and ages of children, days and hours of care needed, preferred types of care, plus any other special considerations to help achieve more accurate referrals.
4. All this family information will be entered into a computer which will be used to search through the over 1,400 licensed family day care homes and child care centers in our area, and to identify those which most closely match your specific needs. All personal information will be kept confidential.
5. You will receive a list of at least five day care referrals who offer the type of care you requested. Each entry on the list will include the child care provider's name, address, phone number, type of license, ages of children and closest elementary school.
6. You will also receive a packet of information about types of licensed child care, selecting child care providers, and if applicable, financial assistance information that may be available to help pay the costs of your children's day care.
7. The Office for Young Children is available to provide additional names if you need them, or to outline other options available, as you make your day care selection.
8. The Office for Young Children provides parents with child care referrals not recommendations. OYC does not license nor inspect child care providers, and can not assure the quality of care.  The names are given from the list of child care providers registered or licensed with the State of Michigan Division of Child Day Care Licensing. OYC strongly urges parents to screen, visit and choose a provider who they have determined offers appropriate child care.
9. 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.  
10. Click on the following  link to review a copy of the OYC Child Care Provider Complaint Policy 
11. If you have comments or concerns about the OYC referral services you received, please contact Barb Monroe at (517)887-4319 or BJMonroe@Ingham.Org

     

    Types of Child Care Referrals:

    The Office for Young Children only refers to child care providers licensed or registered by the State of Michigan Day Care Licensing Division. There are basically three types of child care providers available through the referral service:

    1. Family day care homes are registered to care for up to six children in the provider's own home. Of these children, no more than two may be under the age 18 months according to the Family Day Care Licensing rules.
    2. Group day care homes are licensed to care for up to twelve children in the licensee's home. Whenever more than 6 children are attending there must also be a second adult caregiver in the group home.
    3. Child care centers are licensed facilities other than homes (such as churches, schools or community buildings) which care for young children. Child care centers are also known as nursery schools, parent cooperative preschools, day care centers and drop-in centers. Child care centers may be licensed for infants and toddlers (2 weeks - 2 1/2 years), preschoolers (2 1/2 - 6 years) and for school-age children (6 years and older) before and/or after school hours.

    The OYC referral service does not include the names of in-home child care providers ("babysitters"). If you desire in-home child care, OYC can only provide you with ideas on how to go about searching for child caregivers to come into your home, not actual names of caregivers (since this is an unregulated or unlicensed form of child care). OYC has prepared in-home options information that you may request if you are interested in this type of care.

For more information about child costs and capacity in mid-Michigan click here.