A licensed childcare provider is a person who opens her heart and her home to take care of children while parents need to work. While in her home, your child has the comfort of feeling at home.

In the past, childcare providers were often called "baby sitters". Over the years times have changed and so has being a "licensed" childcare provider. There is quite a bit of work involved in being licensed today.

In order to be a licensed childcare provider in the State of Colorado, you must take several steps. The first step is filling out an application giving information regarding yourself and all people living in your home. Anyone living in the applicant's home who is 18 years or older has to be fingerprinted and returned with the application so that it can be run through the CBI registry. Providers are required to take a 12 hour Pre-licensing class, a 4 hour Medications class, a CPR/First Aid class and a Universal Precautions class. Everyone in there home has to have a Physical. After this is complete, the State Licensing Specialist will call and set up an appointment to have their home inspected.

In order for a licensed provider to continue to hold her license, she must take a minimum of 9 hours of continuing education per year, keep her CPR/First Aid, Universal Precautions and Medications classes up to date and comply with all of the State's Rules and Regulations. The State does a drop in inspection of all providers at least every 2 years.

As you see, the requirements for becoming an in home childcare provider has changed over the years and so has the quality of women who choose to do this profession. Some may have originally made the decision to do this profession so they could stay home with their own children. Others may have made this decision based on the fact that they love children and want to have a home based business. Most of these women are homemakers and some have college degrees and left high paying jobs to care for children. Whatever their reason for starting this profession was, they all have one thing in common and that is the love of children.

Your interview should start with your telephone call. You want to make sure that the opening you need is what is available, check to make sure your hours are compatible, or if your child has allergies to pets, you may want to make sure there are none in this home. Simple questions like these can save time for both of you in the end. If the phone call goes well ask for an appointment to meet with this provider. Don't be surprised if she insists on setting a time for an evening or on the weekend. This way she can devote her full attention to your family's needs.

Always use your gut instincts in all phases of the interview process. If it doesn't feel right to you, don't look back, move on. Your children are your most precious treasures.

You will want to see the areas (nap, play, meals, etc.) that are used for child care. Ask to see their license. That will tell you there child capacity and if there is any areas of their home that is off limits. You will want to see their last inspection report. The license and inspection report are supposed to be posted so everyone can see them.

If this goes well, ask for references of children in care and from some that have left. More than likely, she will give you references that she knows will have good things to say about her. But ask questions like what is the turn around rate like in this home? Is this provider sick often? Does she give adequate notice with taking vacation? Do they feel this provider communicates with the parent if their are any problems?

If the references seem good there is one more step that you as a parent can take. You can call Human Services at 303-866-5958. Tell them that you have found a provider you would like to use and ask to get information from this providers file. They will send it to you or if you have a fax machine, they will fax it.