Choosing the right type of care for your child requires an investment of time. Use the online search tool, checklist and other resources to help you make an informed decision.
Learn About Your Options
When looking for a child care program, there are several types to choose from. You will want to take your family’s needs, preferences, and experiences into account and choose the type of care that is the best fit for you.
Begin Your Search
Begin your search for child care programs by using North Dakota's online child care search tool. Get customized results by adjusting criteria like location, hours of operation, and ages served. Personalized help is available through your local Child Care Resource and Referral by calling 1-800-997-8515 or by emailing referral@ndchildcare.org.
Visit and Ask Questions
Visit child care programs in-person and talk with other parents and families. Use a child care checklist as a guide to the most important things to look for and key questions to ask.
Take a Closer Look
Check references and records for the child care programs you are considering. Ask for references from families who are currently using the program and families who have used the program in the past. When using the online child care search tool, make sure to look over the program's licensing status, inspection reports, and Bright & Early ND Quality Rating.
Licensing Status
Check to see if the program is licensed, registered, certified, or legally licensed-exempt. Also, see if the program’s license been suspended or revoked.
Inspection Reports
Look at each program’s inspection reports to see if the program has violated any health and safety requirements and if and how they fixed those violations. You can also see if there was a complaint filed against the program that was found to be valid.
Bright & Early ND Quality Rating
Bright & Early ND is North Dakota's Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) designed to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality of early childhood programs. We help families identify high-quality early childhood programs that build the foundation children need to thrive in school and in life.
Bright & Early ND uses a set of clear, research-informed criteria to measure and support quality in early childhood programs. These standards go beyond rating—they help programs reflect on their current practices, set meaningful goals, and grow over time. While not exhaustive, the standards provide a shared framework for recognizing, supporting, and strengthening quality across North Dakota.
Early childhood programs can voluntarily progress through four levels, or steps, of quality. Each step builds upon the previous one, and programs must fully meet the criteria of each step before advancing. This step-by-step approach supports meaningful quality improvement at a pace that works for each program.
Bright & Early ND Quality Ratings are reliable and easy to understand. Look for the Bright & Early ND Quality Rating badge to spot an early childhood program that is going above and beyond for the children in their care.
A safe and healthy place is the first step to quality child care. When children feel safe and well, they can play, learn, and build relationships.
Programs at this step:
- Have a license from Health and Human Services. This means they meet basic rules for space, safety, cleanliness, staff training, and how many children each staff member can care for.
- Get regular visits from a Licensing Specialist. They check the program in person, review records, and make sure rules are being followed.
- Help keep children safe by preventing injuries.
All licensed early childhood programs in North Dakota are automatically included in Bright & Early ND at Step 1.
After making sure children are safe and healthy, Step 2 focuses on the space where they learn and play. A well-planned space helps children explore, learn, and feel confident.
Programs at this step:
- Still meet all Step 1 health and safety rules.
- Set up indoor and outdoor spaces that are clean, organized, and welcoming, with toys and materials that fit children’s ages.
- Choose and change toys and materials based on children’s interests and what they are learning, so they stay engaged and creative.
- Regularly look at their space and make changes to support all children and help each child learn and grow.
After creating a safe space and a good learning environment, Step 3 focuses on what children do each day. Activities are planned to help each child learn and grow.
Programs at this step:
- Still meet all Step 1 and Step 2 requirements.
- Use a curriculum (a plan for learning) based on the North Dakota Early Learning Standards to guide what and how they teach.
- Watch and observe children to see how they are growing and learning, and to make sure they are reaching important milestones.
At the highest level, programs create warm and caring environments where children feel safe to try new things, explore, and build strong relationships.
In these programs:
- Caregivers respond to children in kind and supportive ways.
- Children feel safe, valued, and understood.
- Strong relationships help children learn, make friends, and build healthy emotions that last a lifetime.
Get Involved!
Now that your child is enrolled, what’s next? You are your child’s first and most important teacher! Play, read, sing and talk with your child every day. Make sure you talk to your child’s provider regularly about how your child is doing at home and in child care.
Need More Information? Contact Us
Early Childhood
600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Department 325
Bismarck, ND 58505-0250
Phone: (701) 328-2115
Toll-Free: (800) 997-8516
Relay ND TTY: 711
Email: dhsec@nd.gov
To report a concern about a child care program, contact a Licensing Specialist in your county.