Child Care Centers

Early Learning Centers are programs licensed by the Louisiana Department of Education that serve seven or more children. In Louisiana, early learning centers may be licensed as Type III, Type II, or Type I. Regulations for Type III, II, and I centers differ in some ways, including their staff training requirements and staff-child ratios. If you are eligible for the Child Care Assistance Program, it's important to know that only Type III Early Learning Centers may accept payments from the Child Care Assistance Program, and Types II & I centers may not. Visit the LDE website to learn more about the differences between these license types.

Family Child Care Homes

Family child care homes are programs located in the home of the caregiver that serve up to six children. In Louisiana, family child care (FCC) programs are not licensed by the state, but FCC programs that receive payments through the Child Care Assistance Program and/or the Food program must register with state agencies and meet certain space, nutrition and training requirements.

Head Start and Early Head Start

Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded programs offering free early care and education programming and other family-related services to low- and moderate-income families. Head Start programs may be offered in a child care center, a family child care home or through a public school.