Frequently Asked Questions by Families
Please find answers to your frequently asked questions below.
How can I find a center or school for my child?
Please visit our How Do I Find Childcare Provider page for details on how to find a center or school for your child.
What are the different types of Early Childhood Education programs?
There are many different types of early childhood programs in Louisiana, which are all subject to different standards and regulations. Please visit our What Are My Childcare Options page for more information.
How do I enroll my child in a publicly funded program?
Application processes vary by program type and by parish. Please visit our How Do I Enroll My Child page for more information.
How do I get help paying for child care?
Child care can be a big expense for families with young children. The good news is that there are several programs that can assist parents. Please visit our How Do I Pay for Childcare page for more information.
What programs am I eligible for?
There are many different early childhood programs, with different eligibility requirements. Please visit our How Do I Enroll My Child for more information eligibility.
What are the ratings for early childhood programs?
Louisiana rates every Type III child care center, Head Start, and every school that accepts public funds for early care and education. In addition to programs’ ratings, the Louisiana Department of Education provides information about a program’s quality, including their teacher credentials, use of child assessments, self-reported ratios and curriculum quality. Please visit our How Do I Find Quality Childcare page for more information about the rating for early childhood programs.
Advocate
Carol Bebelle is a poet, visionary and co-founder of the Ashé Cultural Arts Center in New Orleans whose work has touched countless New Orleans children, families and culture-bearers. Under her leadership, Ashé not only offered regular arts programming, but also year-round children’s programs and free summer camps.
In 2020, we passed zoning changes through the New Orleans municipal government which simplify and expedite zoning regulations for child care providers, making it easier for providers to expand their operations and increase capacity to serve families in need.