Skip to content
Child Care Answers Logo
  • News & Stories
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Resource Center
    Featured Resource
    Choosing Care
    Learn more
    • All Resources
    • Family Help Guide
    • Child Care Program Help Guide
    • Employer Help Guide
    • Community Help Guide
  • Our Focus
    Featured Article
    Effects of Child Care on Businesses and the Economy
    Learn more
    • Families
    • Child Care Programs
    • Community Partners
    • Employers
    • Additional Reports and Data
  • Team
    • Our Expertise
    • Our Staff
    • Our Board
    • Careers
  • Get Involved
    • Partner with Us
    • Advocate
    • Volunteer
  • Find Child Care
  • Donate
  • Resource Center
    • All Resources
    • Family Help Guide
    • Child Care Program Help Guide
    • Employer Help Guide
    • Community Help Guide
  • Our Focus
    • Families
    • Child Care Programs
    • Community Partners
    • Employers
    • Additional Reports and Data
  • Team
    • Our Expertise
    • Our Staff
    • Our Board
    • Careers
  • Get Involved
    • Partner with Us
    • Advocate
    • Volunteer
  • Find Child Care
  • Donate
  • News & Stories
  • Events
  • Contact
Woman holding child

Growing with families through free support and information on quality care and their child’s development

Find Child Care Family Help Guide

Growing with child care professionals to start their business and expand their programs

Start a Program Program Help Guide

Growing with employers and community partners to amplify their own work with families

Employer Help Guide Community Support
Your Resource Center

In your corner, every step of the way.

Regardless of where you are in your child care journey, we’re here to help. Browse our resource center for tools, tips, and timely advice, created by our experts at no cost to you.

Family Resources Icon
Resources for

Families

Get resources on topics such as choosing a child care, paying for care, diapering, feeding, potty training, bedtime, and more!

Family Resources
Provider Resources Icon
Resources for

Child Care Programs

Get resources on starting your child care business, grants, quality improvement, professional development, and more!

Provider Resources
Employer Resources Icon
Resources for

Employers

Get resources on family-friendly policies, starting or managing a child care benefits program, setting up onsite child care, and more!

Employer Resources
Man holding baby
Who We Are

Your trusted source for all things child care.

Since 1985, Child Care Answers has been a go-to resource for all things child care: an advisor, a collaborator, a guide, and—most importantly—a hand to hold. Our goal is to create seamless experiences for you, working together to minimize any unnecessary hoops. All of the services we provide to families, child care programs, employers, and community partners are completely free to anyone who lives or works in the counties we serve.

  • Hamilton County: Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield

  • Hendricks County: Avon, Brownsburg, Danville, Plainfield

  • Marion County: Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Lawrence, Speedway

Our Expertise
Connect to Care

We’ve made searching for child care easier than ever.

If you’re looking for a quality child care, preschool, or school-age program, we’ve got you covered! Connect with us to receive a free list of programs specifically targeted to meet your family’s unique needs. We update our statewide provider database every six months, contacting every provider to ensure we reflect changes in their programs, rates, services or hours.

There are a number of ways for you to get started, depending on your preference and needs. We’re happy to help!

icon-form
Find Child Care

Custom list and resources via email

Our Family Specialists can provide a list of child care programs, in addition to targeted support and advice based on your unique needs. Just fill out our Family Information Form to get started!

icon-support
Find Child Care

Live child care search support

Prefer to chat one-on-one? We will listen to your needs to provide a list of options for child care based on our conversation. Please contact us at 317.636.5727. We can also set up a time for virtual or in-person meetings.

Find Child Care

Follow-up support

If you have specialized needs or just want a little extra hand-holding as you’re making a child care decision, our Family Specialists can provide additional one-on-support. Just fill out our Family Information Form to get connected.

icon-online-search
Find Child Care

Online search

Are you a do-it-yourself type of family? Use Child Care Finder’s online care search for an immediate list of child care programs in your area. Once you take a peek, don’t forget to check out our resource center for checklists and advice on choosing a program!

How We Help

parent testimonial green
Quote Icon
Child Care Answers helped me find the perfect child care for my 3-year-old after we moved here from out-of-state. I was blown away by the level of quality and support. It was a super-quick process and a bonus that it was totally free!
Montana
Dad to a three-year-old
Children Playing
Quote Icon
The Child Care Answers staff was so wonderful to work with and presented an amazing virtual Kindergarten Readiness session to our families.  I am looking forward to strengthening our collaboration as both of our programs grow and develop.
Kayla
Preschool and Out-of-School-Time Coordinator
program testimonial
Quote Icon
Warm thank you to...Child Care Answers for providing me with so many awesome resources during my process of opening a home child care center. You genuinely care and it shows with each and every phone conversation, zoom meeting, and email.
Shontay
Child Care Owner
vicki training
play button
Quote Icon
To meet our communities where that need is on the grass roots level, it's always such a privilege when you find an organization that you can work alongside and just have that tool in your toolkit...they're going to find the things they need at Child Care Answers. It just makes our jobs easier.
Ann
Community Partner
sitel business testimonial
Quote Icon
Child care is a huge issue among our workforce and finding affordable childcare in the area too. CCA has taken our needs and been working to put together different options for our employees. All together Sitel is extremely appreciative for the opportunity to have worked with CCA and help serve our employees better.
Taylor
Corporate Marketing
hand to hold
play button
Quote Icon
Since 1985, Child Care Answers has been a go-to resource for all things child care: an advisor, a collaborator, a guide, and—most importantly—a hand to hold.
previous slide
next slide

The Latest

Grace Sededji and her family
News & Stories

Last Day Q&A: Grace Sededji

May 31, 2023
preschoolers napping on cots
News & Stories

Finding Your Calm in the Child Care Classroom

May 17, 2023
[fts_twitter twitter_name=childcareanswer tweets_count=3 cover_photo=yes stats_bar=yes show_retweets=yes show_replies=no]
CCA Logo White

Contact Us

info@childcareanswers.org
Phone: 317.636.5727 Toll Free: 800.272.2937
1776 N. Meridian St., Suite 101
Indianapolis, IN 46202

Our Partners

FSSA Logo

© 2023 Child Care Answers. All Rights Reserved.

Subscribe Privacy Policy
Twitter Logo
Facebook Logo
Instagram Logo
LinkedIn Logo
YouTube Logo
tiktok logo
Filter by Topic
Filter by Role
Filter by Resource Type
Post
Last Day Q&A: Grace Sededji
As CCA’s first contact for families and child care professionals, CCR&R specialist Grace Sededji‘s name might be familiar to many of you. But, did you know that she was a toddler teacher and is a mom? Learn more below! What was your favorite activity to do with your kids in the classroom? When I worked […]
Grace Sededji and her family
Post
Finding Your Calm in the Child Care Classroom
If you are a child care professional, you definitely know how hard it can be to maintain composure both inside and outside of the classroom. To help you find your calm, we hope you’ve heard about SPARK Learning Lab’s partnership with the Calm App. By filling out a short form, you can get access to […]
preschoolers napping on cots
Resource
Community Conversations
Join us as we connect with organizations across Hendricks County to explore opportunities for child care and parenting supports!
Post
Last Day Q&A: Lane Heaney
Office manager and HR generalist Lane Heaney keeps CCA humming as an organization, but did you know that her roots run deep in caring for children as well? Read below to learn more! What was your favorite activity to do with your kids in the classroom? I have always been an advocate of early literacy […]
lane heaney with toddler playing connect four
Post
Child Care through the Lens of our State Partner
The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) is a critical partner for Child Care Answers’ work. We’re thrilled this month to welcome Beth Steward, child care quality specialist at OECOSL. Read below to learn more about her experience and how the State is shaping child care. What is your early childhood education background? […]
staff from the Indiana Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning
Page
Community Help Guide
Community Help Guide Each Indiana community is unique in its needs and opportunities. Child Care Answers is here to support you as a resident, leader, employee, or supporter of child care in Hamilton, Hendricks, or Marion Counties with community resources for child care. One common thread runs throughout all of Indiana – affordable, high-quality early […]
children being read a book by a teacher
Post
Last Day Q&A: Megan Day
Bilingual family and community engagement specialist, Megan Day, connects with so many people in central Indiana. Families, especially those whose first language is not English, and community partners know her well. Now it’s your chance to get to know her even better! As a former high school teacher, what relationships have you seen between early […]
Megan Day reading a book to children
Post
What to Look for in a Family Child Care Home
Different families have different desires and needs for their child care programs. In Indiana, you can find safe, high-quality programs in homes, centers, schools, and faith-based early learning settings. Families may find personal pros and cons for each setting; however, understanding how to identify quality and knowing program safety requirements will help you make the […]
Program engagement specialist Michelle Terry discussing with a family child care home owner
Post
Last Day Q&A: Jessica Carman
CCA’s newest staff member, community engagement specialist Jessica Carman, joined us in the fall. We’re thrilled to have her on the team and to be able to share a little bit more about her below! What was your favorite activity to do with your preschool students when you were in the classroom? My favorite activity […]
Jessica Carman listening to child care providers
Post
How to Find a Quality Summer Program
If you are looking for a sign to start your search for summer care, here it is! At Child Care Answers, we have been busy finding ways to support you. Last year, we shared four tips for finding a quality summer program, and they certainly still hold true. This year, we partnered with the Indiana […]
children gathered around camp counselors getting ready for tug of war
Post
Last Day Q&A: Jamie Le Sesne Spears
Family engagment specialist Jamie Le Sesne Spears offers a diverse set of experiences as a mom of a toddler and former preschool teacher. Read below to learn more about her! What was your favorite activity to do with your kids in the classroom? Any activity that involved the creative process! My sweet spot was mixing […]
Jamie Le Sesne Spears and her toddler
Post
Culturally-Inclusive Conversations: “Ask Questions, and Be Curious.”
The family is a child’s introduction to the world. A child’s identity is grounded by their culture and heritage. For families, there is pride and honor in sharing your culture with your child. As they step out of the home and into new environments, like child care, holding onto a family’s culture can become complicated. […]
Sitou in African attire holding his parents' hands
Post
Last Day Q&A: Tom Taylor
Just as family and community engagement manager Tom Taylor‘s work at CCA covers a diverse group of audiences and experiences, his other “job” as dad also has a lot of variety. As dad to a newborn, an eight-year-old, and a teenager, he’s got all his bases covered! What did you like most about your kids’ […]
tom taylor and his family
Post
Happy Holidays?
Oftentimes, we have high hopes for the holidays. We want to go to all places and do all the things. Just imagine it now – Mariah Carey setting the tone as you are sipping cocoa by the fire, and your little ones are quietly crafting at the table. It will be cozy, magical, and perfect, […]
mother and son in front of a christmas tree looking glum
Post
Last Day Q&A: India Green
Coming from a family of educators, relationship growth specialist India Green knew early on that she would carve a different path to improving the lives of children, outside of the classroom. One of those ways is in her relationship with one child in particular – her young son Mason. Get to know more about her […]
India Green on the beach with her son Mason
Post
Holiday Gift Guide 2022
If you are anything like me, knowing what to get my kids for the holidays is a balancing act between the “latest and greatest” and toys that will spark my children’s interest, support their imagination, and won’t be broken in a week!  Below are some ideas for choosing toys that will grow with your child, […]
family shopping at the mall during the holidays
Post
Last Day Q&A: Kristin Kahl
While knowledge manager Kristin Kahl has spent more time behind a computer screen than in a classroom, she has learned so much from her vocation as a mom and from her time at Child Care Answers. Learn more about her below! What did you like most about your kids’ child care experiences? I actually loved […]
Kristin Kahl with her sons at the Van Gogh exhibit at Newfields
Post
Earning a Child Care License: How One Provider Got There
Program engagement specialist Michelle Terry recently caught up with Indianapolis’ newest family child care home owner, Yasmine Caruthers, the week before she received her child care license. Child Care Answers supported Safe Haven Learning Academy through the journey to become licensed, including completing a mock inspection the day of this interview. Thanks to Yasmine for […]
yasmine carruthers in her family child care home
Resource
Early Childhood Mental Health
Your guide to early childhood mental health resources in Hamilton County, Indiana Here at Child Care Answers, in partnership with A Healthier Hamilton County: Systems of Care, we work to ensure all families and child care professionals in central Indiana have the necessary resources to access and navigate behavioral and mental health services. Included in […]
Post
Last Day Q&A: Lauren George
Family support specialist Lauren George brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as a former infant teacher, Certified Lactation Consultant, and mom of two young children. Learn more about her experiences below! What was your favorite activity to do with your kids in the classroom? Every Friday we had cleaning parties. Each child would […]
lauren george
Post
Last Day Q&A: Michelle Terry
As a former preschool teacher and current aunt to school-agers, program engagement specialist Michelle Terry has a lot of stories up her sleeve. Read more to get to know her a bit better. What was your favorite activity to do with your kids when you were in the classroom? During circle time, I enjoyed teaching […]
michelle terry
Post
Process Art Tips and Tricks from a Former Teacher
I have always found a purpose in art. The creative process provides me with time to think and space to express my feelings; but it wasn’t always that way! Being a bit of a perfectionist, it was hard to let go of the “cookie-cutter” crafts. I wanted so badly to be good at art that […]
process art
Post
Last Day Q&A: Lucy Intriago
Bilingual provider engagement specialist, Lucy Intriago, is next up in our revamped Last Day Q&A series. Read below to learn about her experiences as both an early childhood professional and a mom of two! What was your favorite activity to do with your kids in the classroom? My favorite activity was to do choreography to […]
lucy intriago
Post
We are all immigrants - learning about ourselves and our neighbors
The United States is truly a melting pot. Central Indiana is becoming more diverse each year, bringing richness of experience and culture to our lives. As we celebrate National Immigrant Heritage Month this June, what does it mean for you and your family? What can we learn about our own immigrant heritage? What can we […]
immigrant kids
Post
Celebrating Pride Together
Pride is a time of celebration and an opportunity to increase awareness of LGBTQIA+ identity and community. It is important to take moments throughout the month to celebrate diversity together. For young children, this may look like conversations about similarities and differences or simply making observations about their own self. Regardless, we encourage you to […]
pride
Post
Last Day Q&A: Mollie Smith
We’re switching up our Last Day Q&A feature to focus on why you’re here – early childhood education and parenting. First up is our executive director, Mollie Smith, who so gracefully continues to move us forward in our mission. What was your favorite activity to do with your kids in the classroom? My favorite activity […]
mollie be my neighbor
Resource
Field Trip Planning and Safety
Plan ahead for a safe and fun field trip with your little ones Field trips are a great way to empower children and bring classroom lessons to life. They expose children to sights and sounds they may not otherwise get to experience and can provide opportunities for educators like you to introduce new concepts. They […]
field trip
Post
Road trip! Tips for Vacations with Children
“Are we there yet?” is the phrase I hear over and over in the car – even for a quick five minute drive. So, call me surprised when I hardly heard this during our 11 hour drive to and from the beach for spring break. My kids are four and eight, and this is only […]
beach boy
Resource
Family Fun
Central Indiana Family Fun Guide Central Indiana has a lot to offer families, including museums, parks, events, and more. Whether you are looking for things to do on a rainy day or planning an action-packed staycation, we have outlined some of the great things our city (and state) has to offer. Included in this guide: […]
Post
Last Day Q&A: Grace Sededji
Our newest team member, child care resource and referral specialist Grace Sededji, has been a wonderful addition to the team in her support of families and child care programs. Learn more about her below! What three traits define you? Simple, caring, persistent What is your personal philosophy? Keep life simple, and take it one day […]
grace and son