1. What is the Washington Child Development Council (WCDC) and what services do you provide?

WCDC is a resource and referral service for childcare and is the only operating R&R Service in the District.  The service provides computerized data on all licensed child care facilities in the District, free of charge to any person seeking placement of their child or children in child care centers, infant care centers, family child care homes or before and after care programs.  WCDC also provides families with information about services for children with special needs.  

2. Are you a child care center?

WCDC helps families to locate licensed child care facilities that accommodates both the needs of the parent(s) and child(ren).

3. Is your service free?    

Yes

4. How can I obtain the list of child care referrals?

Listings of the licensed child care facilities can be obtained through speaking with one of the referral counselors who can help to generate the listings using the NACCRRAware database.  Referrals can be mailed, emailed, faxed, or picked up.
By going online to WCDC’s website and clicking on “finding child care” option.

5. What is a Referral Counselor?

Referral Counselors for child care provide immediate help to families and child care providers regarding information and resources about early care and education.

6. What is the Intake Form?

The Intake form is used by the referral counselors to gather information about the parent and child(ren), in order to generate and provide an adequate listing of child care referrals for the parents.

7. What is the difference between a child care center and family child care home provider?

A licensed child care center provides child care for more than five children on a regular basis for any part of a 24 hour day.
A family child care home provider – The provider operates out of their own household and is licensed to supervise up to six children with no more than two infants.  They have to be inspected and renew their license each year.

8. Do you have centers/home providers that except children with special needs?

WCDC has listings of child care facilities that accommodate children with special needs.

9. Does the WCDC provide a nanny service?

WCDC only has listings of licensed child care centers, licensed family child care home providers, and head start/preschool programs in the child care database system.

10. How long will it take to receive the list of referrals for child care?

Referrals can be emailed and faxed, or mailed after intake is completed.  The computer generally takes no more than five minutes to generate the listing.  Referrals can also be picked up at the WCDC location or given over the phone.

11. What area is WCDC able to locate childcare providers?

WCDC is only able to locate childcare within the District of Columbia.

12. Can WCDC recommend child care centers or home providers?

WCDC provides only listings of referrals and not recommendations.  To find out more information about a particular center contact the Office of State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) (202) 442-5929.

13. What is the significance of an accredited center?

The center or home provider follows certain (health teaching, curriculum, assessment, safety) standards under the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  Caregivers in the facility must also meet certain qualifications in training.

14. Are all of the providers in your database licensed and/or accredited?

In order for a child care facility to be added to the WCDC database, it has to be licensed under the Office of State Superintendent of Education (OSSE).    The center or home provider does not need to be accredited in order to be added to the WCDC child care database.

15. What is the minimum and maximum age that a center/home provider will take?

The minimum age that a licensed child care facility may take is 6weeks.
The maximum age that a licensed child care facility may take is 14yrs. Old.

16. What are the average rates for child care?

Childcare Center: Infant care most costly; fees go down as child ages-
•Infant care- DC area $150-275/week
Family Childcare Home Provider:
•Infant care in DC area- $100-225/week

17. Does WCDC provide financial assistance for child care?

WCDC does not provide financial assistance for child care.   However, some of the child development programs have their own fee scales, scholarship programs and other programs designed to help reduce the cost of child care.  Ask each provider when you visit.

18. What is a voucher and how do I obtain a voucher?

The Office of State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) can help you pay for quality child care.  Eligibility is determined by the DHS or by a participating child development center.  Call 202-727-0284 for more information to see if you qualify for a voucher.

19. How can I become a child care provider?

If you are interested in becoming a licensed child care provider, you should contact the Office of State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) 202-442-5929 and ask for the Human Services Facilities Division.  OSSE handles anyone interested in opening a child care center or family child care home.  

20. Who funds WCDC?

This grant is funded by the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)/Office of Early Childhood Education, with funds from the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) to provide Child Care Resource and Referral Services (CCR&R) and to provide a centralized, district-wide system of resources and opportunities to support the achievement of national accreditation, continuous quality improvement and ongoing professional development to ensure positive outcomes for district of Columbia children.

21. How to contact WCDC?

(202) 387-0002
Email one of the referral counselors: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ;  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.daycareindc.org