Becoming a Child Care Provider
Several people have asked how to become a childcare provider or how to help someone do so. Here are some thoughts on that topic.
Several people have asked how to become a childcare provider or how to help someone do so. Here are some thoughts on that topic.
Go through the process to become a “legal unlicensed childcare” provider via the Augusta DHHS childcare subsidy program. Using an example of a woman with her own child, who wants to provide daycare in her own home: This means she’d provide child care for up to two children in her home, and be eligible to receive child care subsidy payments through the state if the children she cares for are approved, as well as child food program funds. This option could take 8 weeks or more, but is excellent for someone who wants to work from home, has an appropriate home environment to accommodate two more kids, and is a bit entrepreneurial. Pay is by the day or week per child and ranges depending on the child’s age ($100-150/week per child in Cumberland County).
To become a Certified Family Child Care Home or Child Care CenterCall licensing @ 207-287-8016 or visit the How to Become a Provider page and click on “Start a Center based childcare program” or “Starting a family childcare home” on the left hand menu, follow prompts from there.
Fill out Unlicensed Provider Packet (see information here) and send to holly.harris@maine.gov
Once the filled out packet is received by DHHS, it takes a few days to process and run the background check.
When provider is approved, DHHS will send an award letter and billing forms. They do not backdate payments.
Once childcare begins: remember to have parents sign in/out their child each day and follow billing instructions provided with the billing forms.
Another viable option is to contact large daycare centers and consider applying for a job. Large centers are often hiring (though the pay isn’t great, maybe $8-9/hour). They generally do pay for training (like CPR/First Aid) and often let employees have their own children in the daycare. Could be good work experience and resume-building, as well as a more immediate solution. Indeed.com is a great way to find a job at a daycare center. She’d most likely find a job in a couple weeks due to the high need.
A third option is to respond to ads on Craigslist for childcare, babysitting or nannying. The right family might let her bring her baby and the pay is $10-20/hour. Transportation may be an issue, but there are families on the bus route advertising for help. (Responding to a Care.com ad for childcare is a possibility, too).
Childcare is a secure field with so many options. There is always a high need for experienced caregivers.
English Language Learning
Where to find driving lessons
Portland Adult Education English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Classes
14 Locust Street, Portland
207-874-8155
NOTE: Portland Adult Ed holds classes at the YMCA with childcare.
Duolingo – Learn a language for free. Forever.
Learning Works
Provides immigrants, refugees, and their families the chance to thrive in our country by offering free English language instruction, one-on-one tutoring, and cultural literacy skills.
Hope House English Language Program (H.H.E.L.P.)
14 Sherman Street, Portland
207-274-6005
YMCA
70 Forest Avenue, Portland
207-874-1111
NOTE: Portland Adult Ed holds classes at the YMCA with childcare.
Unite For Literacy Free online resource of children’s books that you can follow along with in both English and another language, e.g., Portuguese
Voice of America Short English lessons, online.
Conversation Practice Classes
Portland Adult Education
14 Locust Street, Portland
207-874-8155
Tuesdays 2:15 3:15 PM
Fridays 9:00 10:00 AM
University of Southern Maine
85 Bedford Street, Portland
207-449-0089
Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:00 6:30 PM
Hope House
14 Sherman Street, Portland
207-899-2435
Tuesdays 1:00 2:30 PM
Thursdays 7:00 8:30 PM
Fridays 2:00 3:30 PM
Salvation Army
297 Cumberland Avenue, Portland
207-774-4172 x262
Mondays & Wednesdays 9:30 AM 11:30
Tuesdays 10:00 AM 12:00
NOTE: There is childcare at the Salvation Army during English classes.
Portland English
142 High Street, Suite 628, Portland
207-504-7577
Fridays 12:30 1:30 PM
Parkside Neighborhood Center
85B Grant Street, Portland
207-553-5940
Saturdays 10:00 AM. 12:00 Women Only
Tuesdays 5:00 7:00 PM Open To All
Speak Clearly Accent Reduction Mothers with Children
867 Congress Street (Port City Baptist), Portland
207-615-6868
Tuesday and Thursdays 10:00 AM 12:00
(free childcare)
Driving Lessons
Where to find driving lessons
There are various driving schools in the area. You can go to Maine’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles site to find a list of driving schools.
A particular school mentioned to us because it’s in the same building as Gateway Community Services is Iftin Driving School. The owner’s name is Bashir and you can contact him for further information at (207) 712-8869.