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Child Care Help Guide for Families

Our goal is to create seamless experiences for you as you search for child care. We work together with you to minimize any unnecessary hoops. Wherever you are on your journey, we’re here to support you with child care help and connect you to community support – all at no cost to you. 

Featured Resource

What's Best for My Child

A strong relationship between you, your child, and your child care provider is key. Included in this document is a tool you can complete outlining your child’s strengths, challenges, and existing routines. Once complete, plan a time to discuss it with your child's teacher(s).
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Quality child care that meets your needs

Your guide to child care

A high-quality program can support your child in developing educationally, socially, and emotionally. Choosing a program that provides high-quality care is one of the most important decisions you will make for your child. No pressure, right? We know this process can be time-consuming and stressful. We offer resources to help make the process go more smoothly for you.

quality child care

Types of care

Learn about Indiana’s different types of regulated child care programs. Understanding differences and similarities will help you better understand which will best fit your needs, based on your child’s age or special needs.

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finding care

Finding a program

Child Care Answers staff provide free services to help you find care, oftentimes calling local programs on your behalf. If you’re a do-it-yourself type of person, resources are available online as well.

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find child care and make a decision

Choosing a program

Many factors go into your final decision. Visit programs, talk with other families, and use your five senses to make a good decision.

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Paying for Care

Understand the average costs of different types of care and options to help you pay for child care.

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The latest

Stay in the know

Our team is always keeping a pulse on what families like yours need, and you can count on us to be connected to the newest and most-helpful resources. We send our family newsletter every three months directly to your inbox, so you can keep up on the latest news. Sign up today!

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Family Engagement Team

We grow with your family

Our team of family specialists are in your corner, every step of the way. If you need help finding child care, connecting to a resource in your community, or just need a hand to hold, call on one of these caring experts. Fill out our Family Information Form on the Brighter Futures Indiana website or call 317.636.5727 to get connected.

Lauren George

Lauren George

Family Support Specialist
Jamie Le Sesne Spears

Jamie Le Sesne Spears

Family Engagement Specialist
baby feet Rosy Sandoval-Hyre

Rosy Sandoval-Hyre

Multicultural Family Engagement Specalist
baby feet Grace Sededji

Grace Sededji

Child Care Resource & Referral Specialist
tom taylor as a child tom taylor family and community engagement manager

Tom Taylor

Family & Community Engagement Manager
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Contact Us

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

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Last Day Q&A: Library Time
August is Library Card Sign-Up month! At Child Care Answers, we have wonderful partnerships with our local libraries, but our love for the library started with our families. So, to celebrate, we asked our staff about their favorite library memories! Grace Sededji, Child Care Resource & Referral Specialist One of my favorite memories is from […]
Jessica Carman at Indianapolis Central Library with mom and young girl at craft station
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We welcome all!
At Child Care Answers, we want to honor everything that makes you, well, you! As the leader of Child Care Answers, I’ve seen first-hand how important it is to instill a welcoming culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This not only applies to our board and staff, but we work to ensure that it radiates […]
Kristin Kahl and her family at the Indy Pride parade
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Last Day Q&A: Summer Family Fun
Looking for something to do as your summer comes to an end? We asked Child Care Answers staff to share what they like to do with their families! Give one of our favorite summer memories a try! Jessica, Community Engagement Specialist As a child, my family’s favorite thing to do during the summer was grill […]
lauren george and her family at miniature golf
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Last Day Q&A: Patti Bowes
Data/assessment specialist Patti Bowes usually tells stories through data, but today is her chance to tell us her story in her own words. Learn more about Patti below! Talk about a fellow educator you admired and what you learned most from them. One educator that stands out to me was my college chemistry teacher. It […]
Patti Bowes and her daughters in Dover, England
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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
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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
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Community Conversations
Join us as we connect with organizations across Hendricks County to explore opportunities for child care and parenting supports!
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 […]
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Bored kids? Explore board games!
“I’m boorrrred!” Is that a common refrain in your household? As much as I know how important outdoor play is for young children, let’s be real. Sometimes you just have to give up the fight, especially when you have kids like mine that melt in the sun and arrive back home from an outdoor play […]
board games with kids
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Last Day Q&A: Patti Bowes
In addition to being an expert on all things CCA, data & assessment specialist Patti Bowes brings expertise of raising two daughters and maintaining a sense of humor throughout her life as a working mom. Get to know her better below! What three traits define you? Resourceful, Easygoing, Funny What is your personal philosophy? What […]
patti bowes young mom
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Last Day Q&A: Lane Heaney
Lane Heaney is the glue that holds CCA together, through her work in HR, payroll, budgeting, and anything needed to keep us running smoothly as a team. Learn more about Lane below! What three traits define you? Trustworthy, loyal, fair What is your personal philosophy? Don’t ask others to do anything you wouldn’t do yourself. […]
lane and jim
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A Glimpse into Fatherhood: Q & A with CCA Dads
Our male role models in our lives play a special role and offer unique perspectives. For young children, this often starts at home with dads, uncles, and grandfathers! Child Care Answers wanted to learn more about this perspective and had the privilege to interview four dads in our community about their experiences in fatherhood. Share […]
dad and child
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Last Day Q&A: Jamie Le Sesne Spears
This month, we celebrate Jamie’s one-year work anniversary with CCA. She has brought so much to the team and has been able to help so many families in her work as our family engagement specialist. What three traits define you? Loyal, caring, thoughtful What is your personal philosophy? Grace on grace. What’s one thing you […]
jamie and freya
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Last Day Q&A: Tom Taylor
As family and community engagement manager, “our guy” Tom Taylor gracefully leads our staff who connect with parents, businesses, and community organizations in central Indiana. He also wears many hats as all-around tech guru and master of a good spreadsheet. Learn more about Tom in our latest Last Day Q&A! What three traits define you? […]
tom taylor last day