Search: Family Services Index (Child Care Options) > Introductions & Definitions It is important for families to know how crucial the early years of a child's life are to ensure children reach their full potential. Scientists and researchers have confirmed how critical the first few years of life are to your child's healthy development. Research documents that children's early attachments have a vital influence on their brain development, and that everyone who cares for young children including families, relatives, friends, teachers, and child care providers can make a difference. Your decision about child care will influence your child's potential for future growth and development. That's why choosing child care is one of your family's most important decisions. Knowing how and where to start your search for the best care for your child is a challenging task. Selecting a child care program is a family choice. There is no one child care solution that works for everyone. Children's Home + Aid Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) Program is available to inform you of child care options in your community or near your workplace, and offer information and resources so that you can make an informed decision regarding child care. Child Care Options Child Care Programs Child care programs care for more than three children in a facility. Child care programs may care for infants and toddlers, preschoolers and/or school-age children. Hours and fees will vary. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) sets minimum standards for staff qualifications, health and safety, activity requirements, group sizes and child to staff ratios for licensed facilities. These facilities are inspected by the Illinois DCFS, Health Department and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Family Child Care Homes A family child care home cares for more than three children and up to a maximum of 12 children under the age of 13 in a family home. This number includes the child care provider's own children under the age of 13. Hours and fees will vary. The Illinois DCFS sets minimum standards for staff requirements, health and safety, group sizes, ages of children served, and child to staff ratios. A family child care home is inspected by the Office of the State Fire Marshal prior to licensing, if the child care provider is caring for more than eight children. Group Child Care Homes A group child care home cares for more than three children and up to a maximum of 16 children under the age of 13 in a family home. This number includes the child care provider's own or related children under the age of 13. Hours and fees will vary. The Illinois DCFS sets minimum standards for health and safety, staff qualifications, activity requirements, age grouping of children, group sizes and child to staff ratios. A group child care home is inspected by the Office of the State Fire Marshal prior to licensing. Pre-Schools Pre-schools (also known as nursery schools) offer group programs primarily for three to five year old children. Most programs offer sessions that are two to three hours a day and usually follow the local public school calendar. Children may be enrolled part day, one to five days each week and usually no more than 10 hours per week. Pre-schools may be licensed by the Illinois DCFS. Some pre-schools are eligible to operate as license-exempt. In-Home Care In-home care is care for children in their own home. The child care provider may be a relative, nanny, aupair, student, or housekeeper the family has employed. Families assume all responsibility for paying salary, state and federal withholdings, and taxes. Illinois does not license or monitor in-home care. For more information please contact www.Nanny.org. School-Age Child Care School-age child care programs are designed to provide care and activities for children five to 12 years of age. Programs may operate before and/or after the regular school day, during school holidays and/or during summer vacations. School-age programs may be licensed by the Illinois DCFS. Some school-age programs are eligible to operate as license-exempt. License-Exempt Child Care License-exempt child care is care that does not require a license from Illinois DCFS. Facilities or programs exempt from licensing include: care provided in the child's own home with three or fewer children present,including the providers own children under the age of 13, or one sibling group. family child care for up to three children, including the child care provider's own children under the age of 13, or the children of one other family. programs serving children over the age of three which are: operated by public or private elementary schools, institutions of higher learning, or schools which are registered with the Illinois State Board of Education or accredited by a national organization that regularly recognizes or accredits schools. part day programs operated by a religious organization or social service agency in which no child is cared for more than ten hours in a seven day week. programs conducted on federal government premises. special activities programs operating on a short term basis. programs providing care for transient children while the families are on the premises. 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