CCR&R www.ndchildcare.org

Choosing Child Care ND CHILD CARE RESOURCE & REFERRAL CCR&R www.ndchildcare.org Pediatric Consultants

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North Dakota Child Care

Currently, over 76% of children in North Dakota under the age of 6 have both parents in the work force. The National Average is 58%.  Healthy Child Care America Campaign implemented by the United States Department of Health and Human Services in 1995 is based on the principle that families, child care providers, and health care providers in partnership can promote the healthy development of young children in child care and increase access to preventive health services and safe physical environments for children.  Linking health care providers, child care providers, and families makes good sense-for maximizing resources, for developing comprehensive and coordinated services, and most important, for  nurturing children.

            There are no quick and easy solutions to the challenges that families, child care providers, and health care providers face today in providing for and ensuring the healthy development of children.  It is important that these three groups work together to expand and create partnerships.
     While 85% of a child's core brain structure is formed bye age 3, less than 4% of public investments on education and development have occurred by that time.     Quality child care produces good results.  We have to remind politicians of this.  Access to adjunctive services is vital to this campaign.


N o r t h  D a k o t a  Demographic Information

2002 Total Population: 634,110
2002 Children 0-5 years old: 44,243
2002 Children 6-12 years old: 56,801
2002 Children 13-17 years old: 46,803
2002 Total Children Under 17: 147,927
Children under 5 as percent of population: 6.98%
Children under 17 as percent of population: 23.33%
Source 2004 North Dakota Kids Count Facts
State Median Income: $51,002
State Median Income Estimates for Four-Person Families
(for Federal Fiscal Year 2002)
Source: Federal Register: March 22, 2001
(Volume 66, Number 56, pp. 16060-16061)
Median Income of Families with Children Ages 0-17 Year 2000: $44,640
Children Ages 0-17 Living in Poverty Year 2000: 22,163
Licensed Child Care Providers: 1,626
Source: 2004 North Dakota Kids Count
 
1997 Estimated Poverty Rate (all ages): 12.5%
Children Under 5 in Poverty 1997: 7,479
Children Under 5 Poverty Rate 1997: 18.3%
Source: 1997 State Poverty Estimates Released November 2000
Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates Program, U.S. Census Bureau
Licensed/Regulated Family Child Care - Total: 2,325
Licensed/Regulated Family Child Care - Small: 1,457
Licensed/Regulated Family Child Care - Group: 868
Source:2000 Family Child Care Licensing Study
The Children's Foundation
Percent of Children under 6 with working parents: 76.0%
Percent of Children ages 6-12 living with working parents: 62.0%
 Source: 2004 Kids Count Data Book Te Annie E. Casey Foundation
Number of children participating in Head Start, FY2000: 2,042
For additional statistical information on indicators of child well-being in the state, visit the Annie E. Casey "Kids Count" Web site at http://www.kidscount.org/

There are approximately 1800 licensed child care facilities in the State of N.D., and many more unregulated child care providers.
Therefore I would highly recommend that you have the parent contact Child Care Resource and Referral Centers in the state.

Making good child care choices
Types of care
In North Dakota, a provider must be licensed if caring for more than 3 infants (0-2 Years) or 5 children (0-12 Years). Providers must count their own children who are under 12 years of age. Homes in North Dakota caring for fewer than what is stated above are not required to be licensed, however, they are encouraged to go through a process of self-certification by completing an Affidavit of Standard Compliance. Licensing regulations may be subject to local ordinances.
Types of Licensed Child Care
  • Family Child Care: Offered in the home of the provider. Family child care provides an environment where children, infant through school-age, can be together. Providers are allowed to care for no more than 7 children 0-12 years of age. Providers may be licensed to care for two additional school-age children before and after school during the school year and on school holidays.
  • Group Child Care: Offers care for as many as 18 children under the supervision of one or more caregivers, dependent on the total number and ages of children. Local community codes prevail.
  • Child Care Centers: Provide care for larger groups of children in public or private buildings, churches, or schools. Children are often grouped by age.
  • Preschool/Nursery School Programs: Offers part-time educational and socialization experiences for children 2 1/2 years to kindergarten.
  • School-Age Programs: Provide services exclusively to school age children before and/or after school. Some programs provide care during school holidays and summer vacations.
  • Multiple Licensed Facilities: An Early Childhood facility that provides more than one type of care, like group or center with a licensed preschool program with qualified preschool teachers.

    Child Care Age Guidelines
    Age group descriptions:

    Infant
    Birth to 24 months
    Toddlers 2 years old
    Preschool 3 - 5 years old
    School-age Kindergarten to 12 years

    Minimum staff/child ratios for group & Center Care


    Infant
    1:4
    2 - 3 years 1:5
    3 - 4 years 1:7
    4 - 5 years 1:10
    5 - 6 years 1:12
    6 - 12 years 1:18

Types of Unlicensed (But Legal) Child Care

  • In-home care: Is provided by a person who comes into your home to care for your child. An in-home child care provider may live in your home. This is often referred to as nanny care. Arrangements for this type of care can be made privately or through an agency.
  • Drop-in Care: Provides occasional care for children for no more than 4 continuous hours.
  • Affidavit Of Standard Compliance: Provides care for 5 or fewer children with no more than 3 under 24 months of age (including the provider's own children). These providers are not monitored by any agency. They have signed an affidavit agreeing to comply with minimum ratios and standards.

    *To receive reimbursement from the USDA Food Programs or Child Care Assistance, providers must be licensed or hold an Affidavit of Standard Compliance.

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Linkages between the involved groups must remain active ongoing and committed.  This web site is designed to help all those evolved in this process.  It will have a practicing office based pediatrician slant or flavor.  Please send any comments or information to

Bernard J. Hoggarth MD FAAP
Email:  Bernard@hoggarth.org     phone: 218-791-6764

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