Knowing Child Care Regulation: Another Part of the Decision

Only you can choose the kind of child care that best suits your family. Finding good quality care can be a challenge. There are usually several kinds of child care available in communities.

Oregon’s Child Care Division regulates three types of care in Oregon:

• Registered Family Child Care Homes—Care is done in the provider’s residence for 1-10 children of mixed or similar ages. There are specific ratios of children to adult based on the children’s ages. A health and safety review is conducted by CCD prior to children being in care and every 2 years at renewal of registration. The provider, all residents, substitutes and frequent visitors over 18 years of age must be enrolled in CCD's Criminal History Registry.



• Certified Family Child Care Homes—Usually located in single family residences, the provider(s) may care for up to 12 children, depending on their ages. Helpers/employees can affect the adult/child ratios but not the total number of children allowed. Department of Human Services and Child Care Division must inspect and approve home prior to children being in care. Both inspect annually. The provider, all residents, staff, substitutes, and frequent visitors over 18 years of age must be enrolled in CCD's Criminal History Registry.



• Certified Child Care Centers—The child care business is in a facility that has met zoning, occupancy and building code requirements, usually a commercial building. Maximum number of children depends on square footage of the building, the number of qualified staff and various other factors. The Center's certification from CCD will reflect the maximum number of children allowed in the facility. The Fire Department, Department of Human Services, and Child Care Division must inspect and approve the facility prior to children being in care. All reinspect annually. All staff over the age of 18 must be enrolled in CCD's Criminal History Registry.

  More information about the regulation of child care can be obtained from ORS657A.250-657A.460 or you may call the Child Care Division at 1-800-556-6616 or check the Employment Department website at www.emp.state.or.us, then look under child care.

Child Care That Does Not Require Regulation in Oregon

Some child care in Oregon does not require any registration or certification from the Child Care Division. Child care is exempt from regulation if:

• The provider cares for three or fewer children in addition to the provider’s own children
• The provider cares for any number of children from the same family
• The care is provided in the home of the child
• The care is provided by the child's parent or guardian or a relative
• The care is provided on an occasional basis by someone who does not usually provide child care
• The facility provides a preschool program that operates for less than four hours per day and provides education to children from age 3 through school age
• The facility provides training on a specific subject such as dancing, drama, music, etc.
• The facility is an organized club or hobby group providing short athletic or social activities, such as soccer, scouts, etc.
• The facility is operated by a governmental agency

Providers are exempt from regulation under only one of the above categories.

Understanding child care regulations and how they can affect program quality is one step you can take toward finding the kind of high quality child care you want for your children.

For more information about how to choose child care,
call Family Connections at 541-917-4899.

Or contact the Child Care Division: 1-800-556-6616; or visit their website at www.emp.state.or.us then look under child care.