Choosing the best child care for your child may seem difficult - there are so many things to consider. Child Care Services Association can help make your decision easier. When you call CCSA, a family support counselor will provide you information about the types of child care in our community, the features of quality child care, and referrals to child care programs that can meet your needs and the needs of your child. Using the industry-standard software NACCRRAware, your counselor will put in information about what you are looking for and find matches of programs that fit your needs. CCSA has data on almost every child care program in Durham, Orange, Wake, Alamance, Person, Caswell, Franklin, Granville and Vance counties. Referrals are free and available in English or Spanish. Please feel confident that our database is private and information shared with our Family Support Counselors is held in strict confidence. To request a Family Support Counselor contact you to provide a list of child care referrals, simply click on the Request Child Care Referral link on the left side of this page.

Whether you are looking for a child care center, preschool, family child care home or school-age site, here are steps that we suggest you follow when selecting child care:

• Begin as early as possible. Call CCSA early in your search. Many programs enroll months ahead or have long waiting lists.
• You can reach Child Care Services Association by calling one of the above numbers, or by clicking the email link above.
• Decide what is important for you and your child. Make a list of what you want to know about a program.
• Visit a minimum of three child care programs and spend at least an hour at each site that you are considering. Ask your questions and use the child care checklist on this web site. Observe all areas where the children are cared for, including outdoor areas. Look for danger signals that can alert you to problems. Listen to how the family child care provider, director or teachers are interacting with the children.
• Get references from others with children enrolled in the child care program.
• Review the compliance history of each program that you are considering. You can do this by visiting the web site of the N.C. Division of Child Development,
  the agency regulating child care: http://ncchildcaresearch.dhhs.state.nc.us/search.asp
• The work of parents in ensuring a quality child care experience does not stop once a selection has been made. Once you have made your decision, become an involved parent. Volunteer at the program when you can. Drop in and visit your child at various times of the day. All high quality child care programs welcome and need supportive parents. Parents can also serve as advocates for their own child and other children by monitoring their child's child care program.

Client Complaint Policy and Procedures: CCR&R Services

Who should clients talk to if they have a complaint about CCSA staff or referrals? If the complaint is about a CCSA counselor, or information provided by CCSA, the client should ask to speak to the counselor’s supervisor. If the complaint is about the supervisor or the client feels that the supervisor’s response was inadequate, the client should call the director of Family Support.

How should clients express concern about CCSA’s referral policies? Clients concerned with any of CCSA ‘s referral policies should express those concerns in writing to the vice president of CCSA’s Child Care Resource & Referral Division. A written response addressing the concern will be sent to the client within ten business days .