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

Early Childhood and Out-of-School Providers

Children under the age of five spend an average of 36 hours per week in a child care program setting, often more awake time than what they spend with their own families. Those who choose a profession in child care often work too much and don’t get paid enough. Yet, child care professionals find joy in molding little minds and teaching children to interact in the world. Child care programs are also essential to the fabric of Indiana; they ensure a safe, caring place for children while their families contribute to the Hoosier economy and society.

1.5 million people work in the child care profession
child care names
child care wages
preschool wages community vs. school
previous slide
next slide

“Occupational Employment and Wages of Childcare Workers, May 2021.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 1, 2021 https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes399011.htm.

“Early Educator Pay & Economic Insecurity across the States – Early Childhood Workforce INDEX 2020.” CSCCE, June 2, 2021. https://cscce.berkeley.edu/workforce-index-2020/the-early-educator-workforce/early-educator-pay-economic-insecurity-across-the-states/.

“Parents and the High Cost of Child Care.” Child Care Aware® of America. Accessed January 6, 2023. https://www.childcareaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/CCA_High_Cost_Report.pdf.

Services and Support for

Child Care Programs and Staff

As a child care resource and referral organization, we help families find child care. To ensure families have a wide variety of choices, and those options include high-quality programs, we also stay closely connected to child care programs and those interested in opening their own child care business. Print or download our child care program brochure to share with those who may be interested in our services.
Read More Download Español
program brochure thumbnail
child care program education and support
Free services to

Connect professionals to resources and tools

We connect educators and administrators to organizations who can best support their need to learn and grow. Our strategic partnerships in the early care and education field help us guide programs to education and networking opportunities.

Education and Training

Education needs vary, depending on the type of child care program or a professional’s personal educational goals. We help connect staff to the organizations that best fit those needs, whether it’s higher education, a credential such as the CDA, annual professional development hours, or required trainings for licensure. We also provide guidance and how-tos on using Indiana’s online Licensing and Education Access Depot, I-LEAD.

Professional Networks

The best places to learn and grow are often with others who know your struggles and successes. We help child care professionals find places where like-minded individuals can share best practices. These groups provide sustainable ongoing support whether on a peer-to-peer level or as a model for the early education field.

Contact Us Contacta en Español
recruit child care programs
Partnering to

Recruit child care programs into communities in need

Thriving neighborhoods almost always exhibit one particular aspect – availability of quality education. This is not unique to K-12; it’s just as important for our youngest learners, 90% of whose brain development happens by age 5. Our Program Engagement team partners with community leaders and data experts to understand which neighborhoods have the greatest opportunities to recruit new child care businesses – and we provide the tools to invite them in.

If you live or work in a community or organization that could benefit from additional child care capacity, connect with us to begin the process to explore your options.

Partner with Us Contacta en Español
new child care classroom support
Free services to

Guide those interested in opening a child care business

Oftentimes, someone knows they have a passion for children, but they’re less sure of how to create a business out of it. Our staff connect and guide this audience through the orientation requirements to become licensed or registered. We also walk alongside emerging child care businesses to help them prepare to open their doors to children with free services including:

  • Support with orientation, other required trainings, and Indiana Learning Paths, the state’s online training registration system
  • Help filling out and submitting licensing/registration applications
  • Onsite or virtual guidance for program locations
  • Facilitation of support groups for those interested in opening their own child care business
Contact Us Contacta en Español
child care provider resources
Free services for

Resource guides and self-help

Sometimes you just need quick, targeted help in the moment. Our Resource Center is available 24/7, whether you need a licensing checklist at 6:00 a.m. or are working on your marketing plan during the weekend. All resources are created by our program engagement experts, who have all been in your shoes. Examples of topics include:

  • Early childhood degrees, colleges, credentials, and certifications
  • Steps for opening a child care business
  • Funding and enhancing your child care business
  • Building capacity in your program
  • Early childhood education philosophies
  • Self-care and wellness
  • Health and safety
Resource Center
The latest

Stay in the know

Our team is always keeping a pulse on what child care professionals need and creating resources to support you. Whether you want to download a tip sheet, watch a YouTube video, or learn about new grant opportunities, you can count on us for the latest information. We send our child care program newsletter every three months directly to your inbox, so you can keep up on the latest news. Sign up today!

Subscribe

  • Newsletter Archive

    • Fall 2022
    • Summer 2022
    • Spring 2022
    • Winter 2022
  • Videos: YouTube

  • News & Stories: Our blog

Program Engagement Team

We grow with your program

Our team of program specialists are in your corner, every step of the way. If you need help starting a new program, navigating the I-LEAD online licensing portal, or building your child care business, call on one of these caring experts. Fill out our Provider Information Form in English or Spanish or call 317.636.5727 to get connected.

lucy intriago

Lucy Intriago

Bilingual Program Engagement Specialist
michelle terry headshot

Michelle Terry

Program Engagement Specialist
baby feet Grace Sededji

Grace Sededji

CCR&R Specialist
Quote Icon
My favorite thing about working with CCA is the resources and the information about growing healthy children and also the education the staff and the directors received along the way. CCA staff is always friendly and helpful with my child care needs.
Angela Hendrix
Administrator, Mount Bethel Christian Academy
For those outside of Marion, Hendricks, and Hamilton Counties

Indiana Child Care Resource & Referral Network Partners

geminus early learning connections
the child care resource and referral network
chances and services for youth
Building Blocks Southern Indiana
Child Care Resource & Referral Network
previous slide
next slide
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

What are you looking for?

Activity Ideas Businesses Community Families Family Engagement Food and Nutrition General Health & Safety Inclusion Infant and Toddler Last Day Q&A Pre-K Preschool Providers School Age