Child Care

Peace of mind is important for families choosing child care. When children are well cared for and their families can pursue work or school, families thrive and communities prosper. Texas HHS recognizes the critical decision that parents face and regards a child’s well-being with the utmost importance. HHS has programs in place to ensure the health, safety and well-being of children in out-of-home care.

Child Care Regulation (CCR) is a statewide program that regulates child care operations and child-placing agencies by inspecting and investigating these operations and ensuring they meet state standards. Reports on every inspection are available online so parents can make informed child care decisions.

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CCR administers two programs.

  • The Child Day Care program issues permits and monitors center-based and in-home operations care for children 13 and younger for fewer than 24 hours a day while parents or guardians are at work or school.

  • The 24-hour Residential Child Care program issues permits and monitors operations and child-placing agencies providing around-the-clock care for children 17 and younger whose parents or guardians are temporarily or permanently unable to care for them.

How does CCR regulate child care facilities?

CCR inspects licensed and registered operations to evaluate the minimum standards, rule and law. When CCR observes a violation, it issues a deficiency, notifies the operation in writing and posts the deficiency on the operation’s public online record.

In addition to routine monitoring inspections, CCR investigates reports and complaints of possible violations of minimum standards, rule or law, including operations that might be providing child care without a permit. These operations are called unregulated or illegal operations. CCR’s goal is to reduce risk to children by helping educate the public and potential providers on the benefits of regulation.

To report suspected child abuse or neglect, or someone providing child care without a permit, visit the Texas Abuse Hotline website.

Technical Assistance and Training

CCR offers technical assistance to child care operations and parents during pre-application orientation sessions, inspections, investigations and community outreach activities. Areas of frequent technical assistance include:

  • meeting minimum standards;
  • safe sleep environments for children;
  • child guidance and discipline;
  • transportation and water safety; and
  • child health and safety.

Visit the Technical Assistance Library, or learn more about minimum standards.