Caring for a child with complex medical needs takes tremendous love and courage. Between managing medications, coordinating therapies, and trying to give your child a normal childhood—all while possibly working or caring for other children—the days can feel overwhelming. You're doing an incredible job, but you shouldn't have to do it alone. A medical daycare might be exactly what your family needs, and schedule a no-obligation tour of our medical daycare facilities to see how we can help.
What Exactly Is a Medical Daycare?
A medical daycare, also called a Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) center, combines skilled nursing care with the warmth of a traditional daycare environment. Instead of choosing between medical care and socialization, your child gets both in one place. Discover how medical daycares provide specialized care for children with complex needs while giving them opportunities to play, learn, and make friends.
These centers serve children who need ongoing medical attention, including:
- Complex medication schedules
- G-tube feeds
- Respiratory support
- Development delays requiring therapy
- Post-surgical care
The best part? Medical daycare is often completely covered by Medicaid, with no out-of-pocket costs to families.
Before You Begin Your Search
Understanding Your Child's Medical Requirements
Take a moment to write down your child's specific medical needs. Work with your child's doctors to document medications, procedures, and any special considerations. This information will help you evaluate potential centers and ensure they can provide the care your child needs.
Insurance and Medicaid Considerations
Medical daycare is typically covered 100% by Medicaid and many insurance plans. Before starting your search, verify your coverage so you know what to expect. At Spark Pediatrics, we can help answer your questions about paperwork and make the process go more smoothly. Understand how Medicaid covers 100% of medical daycare costs.
10 Essential Questions to Ask When Evaluating a Medical Daycare
1. What Are Your Staff Qualifications and Ratios?
Look for centers where each shift includes registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) who understand pediatric care. The ratio should never exceed three children per caregiver—often less for complex cases.
What sets Spark apart: Each Spark Pediatrics center is continuously staffed with at least one nurse possessing extensive pediatric critical care or NICU experience. Meet our team of experienced pediatric nurses and medical professionals who are passionate about caring for children with complex medical needs.
"They know they are very complex, and they know they need special attention."
— Foster mom to two sons
2. How Do You Handle Medical Emergencies?
Every second counts during a medical emergency. Ask about:
- Emergency training for staff
- Equipment available on-site
- Emergency response protocols
- Parent notification procedures
- Regular emergency drills
3. What Medical Procedures Can You Perform?
Ask specifically about the procedures your child needs, whether it's medication administration, feeding tube care, respiratory treatments, or other specialized care.
What sets Spark apart: Our staff is trained to handle a wide range of medical procedures with precision and care. Learn about our approach to G-tube care and management and other medical procedures we provide.
"My son has been attending Spark for more than a year and we absolutely love, love Spark. The nurses and staff take the best care of the children and I know my son is in a great environment where he can learn and play."
— Mom of 2-year-old son
4. How Do You Communicate With Parents?
Parents deserve to know how their child is doing throughout the day. Ask about:
- Regular updates
- How emergencies are communicated
- Daily reports
- Access to nursing staff
- Care plan reviews
What sets Spark apart: We maintain open lines of communication through your preferred method—whether that's calls, texts, or in-person conversations.
"The communication is phenomenal and aids with easing you down when you get those nervous waves that come with leaving your child else where and you aren't present."
— Yaelin C, Google Reviewer
5. What Therapy Services Do You Offer?
For children who need physical, occupational, speech, or feeding therapy, having these services available during the day can simplify your schedule tremendously.
What sets Spark apart: While therapy offerings vary by location, Spark Pediatrics creates a welcoming environment for your child's existing therapists to conduct sessions at our centers. Learn about the therapy services available at Spark Pediatrics centers and how we coordinate care to maximize convenience for families.
"They know how to crawl now! One of my babies, he's trying to walk and he knows how to stand up. There's a lot that they're teaching them at PPEC that they were never taught before."
— Mom to NICU twins
6. What's Your Approach to Development and Education?
Children need more than medical care—they need opportunities to learn and grow. Ask about:
- Age-appropriate activities
- Developmental milestones tracking
- Educational programming
- Social interaction opportunities
What sets Spark apart: We believe medical care and childhood joy should coexist. See how medical daycare supports your child's developmental milestones while providing necessary medical care.
7. How Do You Handle Transportation?
Transportation can be a major obstacle for families. Ask about:
- Medicaid transportation coordination
- Medical staff presence during transport
- Flexibility with pickup and drop-off times
- Backup transportation plans
What sets Spark apart: While Spark doesn't provide transportation directly, we help coordinate Medicaid transportation to make the process easier for families. We work closely with transportation providers to ensure consistency and safety for your child. Find a Spark Pediatrics center near you to minimize travel time.
"Transportation is super safe and easy due to the constant attention to detail that is applied for the children."
— Yaelin C, Google Reviewer
8. What Safety Measures Are in Place?
Safety should be the top priority for any medical daycare. Ask about:
- Controlled access to the facility
- Infection control procedures
- Equipment safety checks
- Staff background screening
- Emergency power systems
What sets Spark apart: Our centers feature specialized medical equipment, emergency response systems, and sensory-friendly spaces specifically created for children with complex medical needs.
9. How Do You Work With Insurance and Medicaid?
Managing insurance can be overwhelming. The right center will help you navigate the process. Ask about:
- Assistance with paperwork
- Communication with insurance companies
- Coverage verification
- Authorization renewals
What sets Spark apart: While we can't handle every aspect of insurance, our team can help answer your questions about paperwork and guide you through the process, making it as smooth as possible.
10. What's Your Policy on Parent Involvement?
You know your child best, and your involvement is crucial. Ask about:
- Visiting policies
- Communication channels
- Family education opportunities
- Care plan input
What sets Spark apart: We value parents as essential members of the care team. Your insights and preferences guide how we care for your child.
"It has to be clear for me that I'm gonna put my baby somewhere that I like and that I feel safe... And when I went to Spark, I can say that the center staff were the ones that gave me confidence."
— Mom of 1-year-old son
Red Flags to Watch For
Staff and Safety Concerns
Trust your instincts and be cautious if you notice:
- Different staff every time you visit
- Unclear answers about medical protocols
- Dirty or disorganized spaces
- Limited medical equipment
- Staff that seems overwhelmed
Administrative Red Flags
Watch out for:
- Reluctance to show you around
- Vague answers about insurance
- Poor communication systems
- Expired licenses
- Disorganized records
Why Spark Pediatrics Stands Out
Spark Pediatrics offers a unique combination of medical expertise, compassionate care, and family support that sets us apart from other medical daycares.
Our approach includes:
- Medical teams led by experienced pediatric nurses
- Lower hospitalization rates compared to home care alternatives
- A supportive community of families facing similar challenges
- Culturally sensitive care with multilingual staff at most locations
- 100% Medicaid coverage with no out-of-pocket costs
But don't just take our word for it. See what other parents say about their experience with Spark Pediatrics.
"I don't know how many more words I can use to thank Spark... because [my daughter] wouldn't be where she is right now if it wasn't for PPEC. They were able to give her the attention she needed. The medication she needed. They made her feel loved."
— Mom of 6-year-old daughter
Making Your Final Decision
Choosing a medical daycare is one of the biggest decisions you'll make for your child. Take your time, ask questions, and trust your instincts. The right center will not only meet your child's medical needs but will also feel right for your family.
Ready to see if Spark Pediatrics is the right fit for your child? Take the first step toward reliable medical care for your child by scheduling a tour of one of our centers today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages does Spark Pediatrics serve?
Spark Pediatrics serves children from birth through age 20 with medically complex conditions requiring ongoing nursing care.
How much does medical daycare cost?
For families with Medicaid, medical daycare services are typically covered at 100% with no out-of-pocket costs.
Can my child attend medical daycare part-time?
Yes, many children attend medical daycare on flexible schedules based on their needs and their family's schedule.
What if my child's medical needs change?
Our medical team continuously evaluates your child's needs and adjusts care plans accordingly, in collaboration with your child's healthcare providers.
How do I know if my child qualifies for medical daycare?
Children with ongoing medical needs that require nursing intervention generally qualify. Contact us for a personalized assessment.
Can siblings attend the same center?
If both siblings have qualifying medical needs, they may be able to attend the same center, depending on space availability and age-appropriate grouping.