Also check with the local child care associations. These organizations usually provide free referral services. Also, many of them provide educational services for child care providers. Often, caregivers who are interested in improving their child care skills join these groups, which itself may say something about their character. The local Department of Human Services will help you locate such associations within your area.
Every state is somewhat different.
Some states only have licensing, some have licensing and registration some have certification and licensing. Generally, registration is when the state approves of a private residential home child care provider. We'll call this an in-home provider, since the caregiver runs their business directly out of her home. To become registered, a provider agrees to follow the minimum standards set forth by the state government. State laws and regulations typically permit between six and twelve children to be cared for at any one time by an in-home provider.