What is family child care?
Family child care is licensed childcare in a home setting. In Utah, family child care providers are licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), which sets the maximum number of children each home can care for. Lina’s Child Care is family child care, with homes in Saratoga Springs and Taylorsville.
How they compare
| Family child care home | Daycare center | |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | A real home | A separate facility |
| Group size | Small group | Larger, split into classrooms |
| Ages | Mixed ages together | Grouped by age |
| Caregivers | Often the same caregiver every day | Several teachers and staff |
| Siblings | Can usually stay together | Often in different rooms |
Who family child care can be a good fit for
- Babies and toddlers who do well with one familiar caregiver
- Siblings who want to be together during the day
- Children who feel more comfortable in a calm home setting
- Families who want a close, personal relationship with their provider
Questions to ask any program
Whatever you choose, ask about licensing, the daily routine, meals, outdoor time, screen use, and how the provider communicates with parents. Our tour checklist has the full list.
Frequently asked questions
Are in-home daycares licensed in Utah?
Licensed family child care homes are licensed and inspected by Utah DHHS. You can ask any provider for their license number.
Is Lina’s Child Care licensed?
Yes. Saratoga Springs is License No. F26-151386 and Taylorsville is License No. F13-37015, both from Utah DHHS.