How to Search Child Care Providers by Elementary Schools

If you can find a provider group that does referrals they should be able to refer this way? I do referrals for a small provider group (Licensed home providers) just north of Mpls, and we often have parents asking to refer by school.

Otherwise you likely have to do the "legwork" so to speak, by calling and emailing. You can narrow things down by zipcode and city name.

www.mnchildcare.org
www.providerschoice.com

These are 2 places to search for home providers that are licensed, by city or zip code. I offer these to parents when I can't help them.

Best of luck!!

I'm surprised the school wasn't able to help you. I work at an elementary school, and know most of the after care centers around the school because they transport our kids. What about calling the school board and checking out the zoning area so you can search for a provider in that area

I would try search the school address on a map (on the interwebs), and then search for "child care" or somesuch.

Kinda like typing in your home address and then searching for restaurants. :)

Wow! Usually the schools have that information. If the county licensors don't have a listing by school, they certainly must have a listing by area. Can you call them back and ask about particular areas rather than schools?

The only other option I can think of is to go to the school right about dismissal time and see which daycare vans pull in to pick up kids.

When I was looking for a provider that was specfic to an area or school I actually put something on Craigslist. You can get info from other Mom's and sometimes the providers themselves. When you find someone this way, you can verify their license with the state and sometimes get get feedback from other parents!

Call your local NACCRRA agency. This is how I found child care near my son's school as he had always been close to my job. . .
Basically, google the above acronym, then find a local referral agency in your area. Call them, sometimes a small fee, but they will give you a list of registered/licensed providers based on your criteria - for example, I wanted an afterschool program that picked up from my son's elementary. I received 5 centers. Called them, toured, etc.

Give it a shot if craigs list and personal referrals don't pan out.

I am a provider in Kansas. We have a State Food Program that is handled by an oranization called The Day Care Connection, they handle referrals by asking for 4 streets you want the provider to fall between, so they might not be able to give you the school but it should be close!! See if you have a similar agency in your area.

M

I would honestly tell you that each one is going to be different and if they don't have kids going to a certain school, even if it is across the street they won't be taking or picking up there. They may not mind going if it fits in with the current kids attending but if it doesn't they won't go at all.

So, it is not something they can post that they do all the time. Kids drop, move, or just change providers all the time so it is a fluid style list.

Calling each one and discussing the school with them is the only way.