Jacksonville childcare services: Choosing care

Define the care you need

Write down your child's age, required start date, earliest drop-off and latest pickup. Include travel time between care and work. Decide whether you need a center, care in a provider's home or someone caring for your child at home. Describe allergy precautions, developmental support and other needs before discussing enrollment.

ELC of Duval asks families to consider location, operating hours, facility type, transportation, health and safety records, and class size. Its Child Care Resource and Referral specialists can provide a list matched to those requirements. Give the specialist your firm constraints and identify where you have flexibility. [1]

Observe the people who will provide care

ELC recommends visiting at least three providers and spending at least 30 minutes at each. Speak with the teachers who would care for your child, observe their interactions and ask for references. ELC's referral page also directs families to the Department of Children and Families provider database. [1]

Ask the director to explain the provider's licensing or other operating status and how you can verify it. Discuss supervision, authorized pickup, illness exclusions, medication and emergency communication. During the visit, ask who would follow your child's care plan and who takes over when that person is absent.

Guiding Stars of Duval participants commit to standards beyond basic Florida licensing requirements. ELC lists teacher education and training, teacher-child interactions, child screenings and curriculum among the program's indicators. Ask participating providers how they apply those standards in the room your child would join. [1]

Compare the full cost and coverage

Request an itemized written quote for your required days and hours. Ask providers to separate tuition, enrollment charges, deposits, meals, supplies, transportation and late-pickup charges. Read the terms for absences, holidays and withdrawal before paying a deposit. Record which charges recur and which apply at enrollment.

For a sitter or nanny, agree on the children covered, duties, pay, cancellation terms and backup arrangements. Request references and discuss relevant training, including how the caregiver would respond to an emergency. Explain any driving duties and ask how the caregiver would handle school pickup.

For school-based care, ask your child's school about current extended-day arrangements, availability, fees and covered days. Confirm how staff handle pickup and whether you need separate care during school closures. Duval County Public Schools lists its main telephone number as 904-390-2000; use it to locate the appropriate contact if needed. [3]

Check School Readiness and VPK before enrolling

ELC describes School Readiness as assistance for eligible families with children birth to five, helping parents work or attend school. Families pay a portion of care costs based on income, household size and other factors. Ask ELC to assess your circumstances before including assistance in your household budget. [2]

Start with a Family Portal account, an initial waitlist application and the required documents. ELC sends an email when funding becomes available, which may take several weeks or months. Families then complete the School Readiness application and await approval. Check your email and keep your contact information current. [2]

ELC describes VPK as free prekindergarten for Florida residents who meet the age requirements. Children must turn four on or before September 1 of the current school year; families can choose that year or the following year. Ask the provider to identify the VPK hours and explain any additional care you would need for your workday. [1]

ELC referral-office hours, Monday through Thursday

Choose your next step

Your hiring checklist

1. Prepare a care brief with your child's age, support needs, start date and required hours.
2. Test the drop-off and pickup route against your work commitments.
3. Observe the caregivers and ask how they handle supervision and staff absences.
4. Check the provider's operating status and ask about its safety record.
5. Read the fee, cancellation and withdrawal terms before paying.
6. Agree on pickup permissions, emergency contacts and medication instructions.
7. Identify who can cover illness, closures or a delayed start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get help finding care without applying for assistance?

ELC describes Child Care Resource and Referral as a free, confidential service that helps families find care and early learning programs. You can call, visit or complete its information-request form. [1]

Does joining the School Readiness waitlist confirm funding?

No. ELC notifies families when funding becomes available. Families then complete the School Readiness application and await approval. [2]

What should I ask references?

Ask about communication, caregiver changes, pickup arrangements and how the provider handled a concern. Describe the care you need so the reference can explain whether their experience involved a similar arrangement.

What if I need to update my School Readiness circumstances?

ELC requires families to report household changes within ten days, including changes to income, employment, education status, household size or disability. Families must also report when a child stops attending the provider. ELC lists 904-208-2044 for reporting changes. [2]