Family Child Care Homes

A family child care home provides care for children in the caregiver's home. Arizona has four types of family child care homes:

Group Child Care Homes are certified and monitored by Department of Health Services (DHS). They may care for 5 to 10 children for compensation. At all times, they must have 1 staff person for every 5 children. Group day care homes may contract with DES to care for children whose families receive DES assistance to pay for child care. To view the licensing history of group homes please see http://www.azcarecheck.com.

DES Certified Child Care Homes are certified and monitored by the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES). They may care for no more than 4 children at one time for compensation. They may care for children whose families receive DES assistance to pay for child care.

Alternate Approval Child Care Homes participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and must meet minimum federal requirements. They may care for no more than 4 children for compensation. Caregivers on CACFP receive partial reimbursement for the nutritious meals and snacks they serve children in their care.

Unregulated Child Care Homes may care for no more than 4 children for compensation. These homes are not regulated or monitored by any state agency or CCR&R. Hiring someone to come to your home to care for your child is known as in-home child care. Arizona does not require in-home caregivers to be regulated. In-home providers may contract with Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) to care for children whose families receive DES assistance with child care costs.