Licensure
Licensure is usually a legal requirement for operating a childcare facility. State, county, or local governments license childcare providers that meet minimum governmental standards for health and safety. In Minnesota, the state licenses commercial childcare centers and the county licenses family (in-home) childcare providers. Licensure does not distinguish the good from the mediocre.

Licensure Standards
Most childcare providers are licensed. Childcare providers who care for a small number of children do not require licensure. In most states, a person does not need a license to use their own home to care for one other family's children even if there are multiple children involved.
     The National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care offers the licensure requirements for any state in the United States. The following are taken from the licensure standards for Minnesota family childcare providers (1997). Family Childcare Providers (someone's home) must attend large group orientation, small group orientation, receive an information packet, provide references, pass a criminal background check, pass home and fire safety inspection, and satisfactorily complete an interview with a social worker.

Types of Licenses The number of children permitted in a childcare home depends on the type of the operator's license. When interpreting the table below, be aware that the total number of children includes the provider's own children as well as those school-age children under the age of 11 years who attend part time.

• 'A' license...Care for 10 children (good for one year only)
• 'C1' license...Care for 10 children
• 'C2' license...Care for 12 children
• 'C3' license...Care for 14 children with another helper

Accreditation
Accreditation is one possible indicator of a better than average center. Accreditation depends on a center's meeting specific goals regarding early childhood education, staff training, and development. Several professional organizations accredit childcare providers. One of the most well-known accrediting agencies is The National Academy of Early Childhood Programs.
     Accreditation identifies those centers that may offer something extra beyond a physically safe environment. An accredited childcare facility goes beyond the state's minimum requirements for licensure. The accreditation process is often a multistep process that involves training, implementation, and a verification visit by the accrediting agency's staff.

• There are a sufficient number of adults with training in early childhood development and education.
• Adult expectations for the children vary appropriately for children of differing ages and interests.
• All areas of child development are stressed equally.
• Staff meet regularly to plan and evaluate the program.
• Parents are welcome to observe, discuss policies, make suggestions, and participate in the work of the program.

The Value of Intuition
Finally, intuition is probably your most powerful tool in finding a good childcare provider. You will need to visit a potential provider to see what the center looks and 'feels' like. Some characteristics you might look for:

• Children that are generally happy, engaged, clean, and comfortable.
• You are welcome when you make unannounced visits.
• There are age-specific, constructive activities for the children.
• The teachers have training, experience, and a genuine interest in the children.
• The center looks clean and safe.

Plainly Speaking
If you must use childcare, finding a good facility is important to the health and welfare of your child and your peace of mind. There are a number of criteria that you can use to evaluate the quality of service your child is likely to receive. Using these and your intuition, finding good childcare should be possible in almost any community.