Childcare in Charleston, WV: Choosing Care

Define the care you need before calling

Write down your child's age, intended start date, arrival and pickup times, and the days you need care. Include your travel time between work and the care location. Describe allergies, medication needs, toilet training and any support your child needs so you can discuss them before visiting.

For school-age care, name the school and ask who handles pickup. For evening care or a caregiver in your home, describe the duties you expect: supervision, meals, bedtime or transportation. Ask the caregiver to identify which duties they accept and put those duties in the agreement.

Find options and check the provider's identity

Connect's referral page covers approved providers advertising services in Region 3, which includes Kanawha, Clay, Jackson and Roane counties. Connect states that these providers do not work for the agency and directs families to contact providers for current information. Use its Kanawha County options as a starting point, then ask about your child's age group, schedule and start date. [1]

West Virginia's provider lookup offers county, city, ZIP code and provider-type filters. Search Charleston or Kanawha County and match the name and care location against the provider you are considering. The page also lists monitoring checklists for different care settings. Ask the provider or the responsible agency to explain the applicable category and how you can obtain relevant monitoring records. [4]

For a sitter or nanny, ask for references from families whose children had similar needs. Confirm who will provide care, who may substitute, and what background screening and CPR or first-aid training they can document. Speak with references yourself and ask how the caregiver handled an illness, missed shift or disagreement.

Check preschool before buying overlapping care

Kanawha County Schools offers preschool at no charge to families. Its 2026–2027 notice sets eligibility for the full-day program at age four on or before June 30, 2026. The district describes placement as first-come, first-served. Contact the Preschool Office at 304-348-1942 to ask about remaining placement options for this school year. [3]

The district asks for an official birth certificate, immunization records, a dental record and the most recent well-child visit information. Head Start applicants also need income verification. Before reducing paid care, ask the school for the assigned location, daily hours, transportation arrangements and calendar. Arrange coverage for any gaps between that schedule and your work hours. [3]

Prepare an assistance application and a complete budget

Connect lists shared residence with the child, a qualifying activity and income limits as its core assistance criteria. Its page includes work, school, job search and WV Works among qualifying activities, and describes activity requirements for both parents or guardians in specified households. Ask Connect to assess your household rather than assuming that work or school participation guarantees approval. [2]

For the in-person appointment, Connect asks for original identity and residency documents, citizenship evidence for each child needing care, activity verification, recent income records and child-support verification. If you have worked at a new job for less than 30 days, ask the case manager for the employer-completed Verification of Employment form. [2]

Request a written quote from each provider using the same days and hours. Ask about registration charges, deposits, meals, supplies, paid absences, closures and late pickup. If you plan to use assistance, ask the case manager and provider to confirm the approved arrangement and your payment responsibility before you sign. Keep a separate plan for care you may need while the application is pending.

Visit and settle the agreement before starting

During a visit, ask who supervises your child's group during meals, breaks and staff changes. Discuss sleep arrangements, medication handling, illness exclusions, emergency contacts and authorized pickup. Ask how the provider communicates an injury or a concern about your child's day.

Use the staffing chart as a reference for interview questions. Ask the provider to explain the current requirements for its setting and your child's age group. Review the agreement at home, clarify cancellation and refund terms, and keep a copy of the signed version. Agree on how you will handle the first days of care and whom you will contact if the arrangement needs to change.

Published West Virginia center staffing reference by age

Choose the next step for your household

Your hiring checklist

1. Write down your child's age, start date, care days and pickup deadline.
2. Ask Connect about referrals that match your schedule and assistance application needs.
3. Match the provider's name and location in the state lookup.
4. Visit the care setting and discuss supervision, sleep, allergies and emergency procedures.
5. Check references and ask caregivers to document screening and training.
6. Get a written quote covering deposits, closures, absences and extra charges.
7. Confirm school coverage or assistance arrangements before canceling existing care.
8. Keep the signed agreement and arrange backup care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Connect referral mean a provider has an opening?

Connect directs families to contact providers for current information and states that providers do not work for the agency. Ask each provider about an opening for your child's age, the start date and the hours you need. [1]

Can I use free preschool instead of paid care?

Kanawha County Schools offers no-charge preschool for eligible children. For 2026–2027, the full-day program requires a fourth birthday on or before June 30, 2026. Confirm placement and the school schedule, then arrange care for any uncovered work hours. [3]

What should I bring if I have just started a job?

Connect says applicants employed for less than 30 days can request a Verification of Employment form from a case manager for their employer to complete. Ask about the remaining identity, residency, child citizenship, activity, income and child-support documents before your appointment. [2]

How much should I budget for private care?

Get written quotes for your child's age and exact schedule. The supplied sources do not establish current Charleston private-care prices. Compare the recurring charge, deposits, meals, supplies, closures and late pickup terms, and ask how any approved assistance affects what you pay.