Childcare providers include childcare centers (CC), certified family (CF), regulated family (RF) and exempt programs. Each certification has its own set of regulations the provider must follow and just because a center can take a maximum number of children does not mean they have to—or will.

“Regulated family” means a provider may care for 10 children, including their own, with no more than two of those placements being for children under age 2, and no more than six placements for those under kindergarten eligibility. These programs are licensed for two years and providers must have 10 hours of ongoing training every two years.