Frequently Asked Questions > Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

Monday, March 02, 2009

Frequently Asked Questions

Idaho CareLine: In Idaho Dial 2-1-1 or 800-926-2588

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Why should my child care provider care about my child's immunization status

Answer: Immunizations are a critical way to protect children from several diseases. In addition, the law (Idaho Code 39-1118) requires children in child care to be immunized and that documentation of immunizations or exemptions be given to your provider. Child care providers are required to have on file an up-to-date immunization record for every child in their care. If your child attends child care, they are required by law to be immunized within 14 days of enrolling in the child care. This not only protects your child, but protects the other children in the child care. If you have questions, contact the local health district or talk with your physician.

Question: I need to go to work/school. How do I know who to choose to care for my baby?

Answer: Looking for child care is hard work. No one else can do it for you. We urge parents to do comparative shopping and to visit providers. See the article entitled Quality Child Care. Also, review information on the Idaho Child Care Program as a possible financial resource for you.

If you are breastfeeding, see Collecting and Storing Your Milk. Pay attention when choosing child care and work with your child care provider to make health and safety a priority. Your local Child Care Resource and Referral has information helpful to parents when selecting a child care provider. Several articles are provided by the National Child Care Information Center by linking to: Choosing Child Care/Consumer Education.

Question: I am a child care provider. I think one of the children I care for has been abused. What do I do?

Answer: Idaho law says any person who has reason to believe a child is being abused, neglected, or abandoned MUST report this to the local law enforcement agency or the Department of Health and Welfare within 24 hours. See Child Abuse/Neglect.

Question: My child care provider said she won't care for my son who has special needs. Is that legal?

Answer: No. The American Disabilities Act requires providers to care for children with special needs. You can help your provider learn how to care for your child, obtain adaptive equipment and other related needs, contact your local Idaho Parents Unlimited (IPUL) group, National Down Syndrome Society, or Visual Impairments. The National Network for Child Care also provides an index of articles for child care providers on caring for children with special needs. Share this information with your child care provider.

Question: My child has started biting other children at the child care center. What should I do?

Answer: See Biting.

Question: I cannot afford child care. What can I do?

Answer: The Idaho Child Care Program helps low-income families pay for child care when parents are working, looking for work, in job training or enrolled in school. Families choose the provider who must be registered with their local Resource and Referral agency. To apply, contact your regional Health and Welfare Office, or call 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine.

Question: I need to go to work/school. How do I know who to choose to care for my baby?

Answer: Looking for child care is hard work. No one else can do it for you. We urge parents to do comparative shopping and to visit providers. See the article entitled Quality Child Care. Also review the information on the Idaho Child Care Program as a possible financial resource for you.

If you are breastfeeding your child, see the information on Collecting and Storing Your Milk. Pay attention when choosing child care and work with your child care provider to make health and safety a priority. Your local Child Care Resource and Referral has information that is helpful to parents when selecting a child care provider. Several articles are also provided by the National Child Care Information Center: Choosing Child Care/Consumer Education.