In Texas, child care can be broken down into the following types of operations:
Licensed Center: An operation providing care for seven or more children under 14 years old for less than 24 hours per day at a location other than the permit holder’s home
- Child Care Program:is a licensed center that provides care at least two hours a day, three or more days a week
- Before or After-School Program:is a licensed center that provides care before or after the customary school day and during school holidays, for at least two hours a day, three days a week, to children who attend prekindergarten through sixth grade
- School-Age Program:is a licensed center that provides supervision, along with recreation or skills instruction or training, and may provide transportation, before or after the customary school day, for at least two hours a day, three days a week, to children attending prekindergarten through sixth grade. A school-age program may also operate during school holidays, the summer period, or any other time when school is not in session.
Licensed Child-Care Home: The caregiver provides care in the caregiver’s own home for children from birth through 13 years old. The total number of children in care varies with the ages of the children, but the total number of children in care at any given time, including the children related to the caregiver, must not exceed 12 years of age.
Registered Child-Care Home: A caregiver provides regular care in the caregiver’s own home for not more than six children from birth through 13 years old, and may provide care after school hours for not more than six additional elementary school children. The total number of children in care at any given time, including the children related to the caregiver, must not exceed 12 years of age.
Listed Family Home: A caregiver provides care in the caregiver’s own home for three or fewer children unrelated to the caregiver, birth through 13 years old, for at least four hours a day, three or more days a week, and more than nine consecutive weeks. The total number of children in care, including children related to the caregiver, may not exceed 12 years of age.