START EARLY

Start looking as far in advance as you can. No matter what type of care you are considering, finding the right child care option can take some time.

RESEARCH, CALLS AND REFERRALS

Call your local experts — your Child Care Resource & Referral Agency. In Detroit, families can call Help Me Grow at 313-410-4588. HMG provides a call center in each county to support parents of kids up to age 8. You can also use Connect4Care, is a centralized resource from the United Way of Southeastern Michigan to help families with young children understand child care assistance options and connect with child care providers across Wayne County.

VISIT & ASK QUESTIONS

Consider the quality indicators and take your checklist with you either on a virtual visit or scheduled visit to a center to ensure a program is right for you and your child.

MAKE A CHOICE

Once you’ve visited programs, think about what you saw or heard at each visit, and make the best choice for your family.

STAY INVOLVED

The work is not over when you find good child care. Even if you can’t get time off to spend at your child’s program, you can check in daily at pickup and drop-off to see what other opportunities there are for you to support your child’s program.