Parent and Family Resources

The Texas child Care Availability Portal provides access to free resources for parents and families.

Visit Texas Child Care Solutions to find information such as:  Early Education, Head Start/Early Head Start, Child Development, Prekindergarten, and Health and Nutrition. 

Additional consumer information for raising kids may be found at Early Childhood Texas

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service offers quality online training for parents.  Click here to view their current trainings.

Find help for food, health, housing and more here!

Click HERE for the website and telephone number of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission Child Care Regulation (CCR) so parents can obtain health and safety requirements, including information on:

• The prevention and control of infectious diseases (including immunizations)
• Building and physical premises safety
• Minimum health and safety training appropriate to the provider setting
• The regulatory compliance history of child care providers

Providers may further limit the ages of the children they care for. Providers may provide after-school pickup or morning transportation for specific elementary schools.

Child Care Services Providers are Registered Family Child Care Homes and Licensed Child Care Homes or Centers who have signed provider agreements with Child Care Services.

If you want to use a relative provider or a licensed or registered provider who has not signed a CCS Provider Agreement, you may do so through the Relative Child Care option. The relative must not live with the child (except a teen parent’s child) and must be your child’s grandparent, great-grandparent, aunt or uncle, or adult sibling. Proof of relationship may be required. All Relative Child Care providers must be at least 18 years of age. Relative Child Care providers must become a Listed Family Home with TDFPS Day Care Licensing and must qualify before child care may begin.

Both the parent and the Relative Child Care provider must attend an Information Session within 30 days after you inform Child Care Services you want to use a Relative Child Care provider.

Detailed information about the Relative Child Care process is provided during the Information Session the parent
and provider must attend.

Parent and relative provider must bring valid picture identification cards, Social Security cards, proof of
current address (a current bill that shows name and address, letter from TDHS or other government
agency, or similar document) and your Direct Deposit Authorization Form and voided check. You may
also need to provide proof of relationship.

The necessary forms for Relative Child Care will be discussed and filled out during the Information Session. These
include the I. R. S. Form W-9 since the money earned as a Relative Provider is income.

The parent has hired you to care for the children. You will not be working for anyone other than the
parent. Child Care Services does not process any taxes because you work for the parent. You are
responsible for your taxes.

If the parent has to pay part of the cost of child care, you will be responsible for collecting that money from the parent.
The amount the parent must pay will be deducted from your check.

You must keep accurate records of the children’s attendance and any money received from the parent.

You will be paid directly from the attendance that is reported to Child Care Services.

Your income as a Relative Child Care provider is the total of any amount the parent must pay you and the checks
Workforce Solutions Child Care Services sends you.

• What special training does the caregiver have about children in your child’s age group?
• How long has the caregiver been working at the facility?
• Is the caregiver cheerful and pleasant to children and parents?
• Does the caregiver interact with the children at the child’s eye level?

• Do the children spend time each day in a variety of activities so that they use their thinking skills,
  their motor skills (big muscles and small muscles) and social skills?
• Are individuals treated with respect? Are differences seen as making people interesting?
• Are children comforted when needed and frequently given individual attention?
• What is the discipline policy? Is it fair and are there no exceptions? Do you agree with it?
• What will happen if your child becomes ill?
• Do you hear the sounds of happy, involved children?

• Are there enough toys and materials appropriate for the children’s age group?
• Are toys and materials stored where children can easily get what they want to use?
• Are the decorations and learning materials at the child’s height and not high on the wall?
• Is the space bright, colorful and pleasant to be in all day?
• Does the outdoor play area have equipment appropriate for your child’s age group? Is the space
  divided for use by different age groups? Are there a variety of activities to do outside?

• Are you welcome to visit at any time?
• What opportunities are there for parents to be involved in the programs and activities?
• Are parent’s ideas encouraged?

• Have you checked the information about the immunizations a child needs?
• Have you checked the child care facility’s inspection history?

Click here to visit the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services website.