FINDING CHILD CARE

Our service is completely free. To access child care referrals, you can:
    1) Call us and leave a message for us at (253) 591-2025, option 1, or 1-888-370-3177, OR
    2) Fill out and submit this referral form, OR
    3) Use our on-line referral search service. 

In order to receive an accurate childcare search, we need some detailed information about your child care needs. That needed information is indicated both on our phone line and on our on-line referral form. Your responses remain confidential, and aggregated data is used for statistical purposes only.  

Child Care Resource and Referral is an aency that collects and gives out information.  We cannot guarantee the quality of the providers in our database. We urge you to interview and check references before leaving your children in care. To check for past licensing concerns of any child care referral given, you can call 1-866-482-4325 or visit the Department of Licensing web site at www.del.wa.gov/lccis.

Every child care program is different. Child Care Centers are in commercial buildings where children are grouped by age. Centers can be licensed for 13-100+ children. Licensed Family Child Care is provided in a person's home with up to 12 children with an assistant.

Finding the Right Environment

Please read our "Connect To Child Care" to get more information about the steps to choosing child care, things to look for when visiting child care programs, and a handy checklist of what to ask child care providers. To request a copy, please e-mail us at childcare@cityoftacoma.org. For information about average rates by school district areas,see our Rate Information.

There are many resources available to help you find the right environment for your child. Below is a list of the most common resources. Please contact us if there is a different resource we can provide.

            Matching your Infant's or Toddler's Style to the Right Child Care Setting
                                                  English or Spanish
            Working Together For Kindergarten Success
                                                  English or Spanish
            Selecting a Quality After School Program for Your Child
                                                  English or Spanish
            Choosing Quality Child Care for a Child With Special Needs
                                                  English or Spanish

Learn about Washington States Minimum Licensing Requirements of child care programs.
Before making a final decision about your child care provider, check their licensing history. Be sure to check this routinely to see if your provider is meeting state requirements.

"FOCUS" On The Child - Please feel free to browse our parent newsletters.
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