Wayne County Children's Coaltion

Looking for quality child care?

Childcare Information Services (CCIS) of Wayne and Susquehanna counties operates the Child Care Resource and Referral Program. The office can be reached at 570-341-0811, 1-800-252-0811. Contact CCIS to obtain child care information available to parents who have child care questions, require child care information, or need assistance in locating child care. CCIS provides referrals to licensed day care centers and group day care homes, and registered family day care homes. Child care referrals are designed to meet the individual needs of parents and include specific program information to assist parents in their child care selection process. CCIS staff cannot recommend any particular provider, but will provide parents with information on legally operating programs matching requirements such as location, type of program, ages served, and days and hours of operation.

For more information on this program, click here.

Need help paying for child care?

Child Care Information Services (CCIS) of Wayne and Susquehanna Counties coordinates the Subsidized Child Care program. The office can be reached at 570-341-0811, 1-800-252-0811. This program provides helps working parents who qualify with child care costs. The program is available to parents of children from birth thru 12 years of age who live in Pennsylvania. Parents who qualify pay a weekly co pay based on their income and household size, and some parents pay as little as $5.00 per week for child care they use at a day care center, group day care home, family day care home, or with a private individual such as a relative, friend or neighbor.

For more information on this program, click here.

How do I choose from the different types of child care?

Child care is a partnership between parents and child care providers. As partners, each has a responsibility to a common goal — the well-being and development of children.
Child care facilities are responsible for providing an atmosphere conducive to children’s safety, growth, and development. Parents are responsible for selecting programs that are appropriate for their children. By working together, child care centers and parents can ensure a bright future for children.
Listed below are the four types of state regulated child care programs available. As a parent, you should choose the program that meets your family’s needs.

• DAY CARE CENTER — a state-certified facility providing care for seven or more children.
• GROUP DAY CARE HOME — a state-certified facility providing care for no more than 12 children.
• FAMILY DAY CARE HOME — a state-certified family residence with one caregiver providing care for four, five or six children unrelated to the caregiver.
• NURSERY — a part-time preschool facility licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

How do I choose quality child care?

Choosing a child care program can be a challenge. When selecting a program, visit at a time of day when the children should be active, such as in the morning. Take your child along and do not hesitate to ask questions!

Click here for Penn State’s Better Kid Care Quality Child Care Checklist
Click here to download the Pennsylvania Key’s “Parent’s Guide to Choosing Quality
Child Care.”
“A Parent’s Guide to Choosing Quality Child Care”

How does Keystone STARS improve quality in child care?

A Keystone STARS facility:

• provides a Department of Public Welfare Certificate of Compliance for Centers or registration for Family Day Care Homes at each center;
• is a comfortable place where your child can explore and learn;
• offers laughing, reading, and talking to help your child build good language skills;
• hires teachers who continually learn new ways to help your child succeed;
• is a safe, healthy and exciting place;
• offers music, art, science, and play activities that increase school readiness;
• provides an environment where you child will feel good about him/herself;
• encourages family involvement;
• provides teachers who listen to children and parents; and
• offers children the opportunity to have fun together while being respectful of each other.

Click here to download “A Parent’s Guide to Choosing Quality Child Care”
Click here to find a STARS site near you