Terms & Disclaimer

Last updated: April 9, 2026

Shortlist (shortlist.guide) is operated by Scott Standard LLC. It is an independent side project, not an agency or licensed childcare referral service. This page explains what the site is, what it is not, and how your data is handled.

Data-Driven Reviews Are Opinion

All reviews, scores, and data-driven commentary on Shortlist reflect one person's observations and research. They are personal opinion, not professional childcare advice, and should not be treated as such. Reasonable people can and will disagree with these assessments.

Information May Be Wrong or Outdated

Childcare providers change constantly. Staff turn over, prices go up, programs expand or close. While Shortlist makes a good-faith effort to keep listings accurate, there is no guarantee that any piece of information on this site is correct, complete, or current at the time you read it.

Before making any childcare decision, parents should:

• Contact providers directly to verify pricing, availability, and program details
• Check your state's childcare licensing authority for current licensing status and inspection history (e.g., DCYF in Washington, ISBE in Illinois, CDHS in Colorado, DHSS in Missouri)
• Tour the facility in person
• Do their own due diligence

Inspection Data

Inspection records shown on Shortlist are sourced from publicly available state licensing data (e.g., DCYF in Washington, DCFS in Illinois, CDHS in Colorado, DHSS in Missouri). This data may not reflect the most recent inspections, and Shortlist has no control over when state agencies publish updates. Always check your state's licensing authority directly for the latest information.

No Affiliation with Providers

Shortlist has no affiliation with, endorsement from, or sponsorship arrangement with any childcare provider listed on this site. No provider has paid for placement, a higher score, or a favorable review. Listings exist because the provider is licensed and operates in a covered area.

No Liability

Shortlist is not a substitute for a parent's own research, judgment, and decision-making. By using this site, you acknowledge that Shortlist is not liable for any decisions made based on information published here. Use the site as a starting point, not a final answer.

Access

• The full provider database is free to browse — no account or payment required
• Optional sign-in (email only) enables saved providers and cross-device sync

Privacy

• Your email address is collected for authentication (sign-in) only
• Payment is processed by Stripe. Shortlist does not store your credit card information
• Your data is never sold, shared with, or disclosed to third parties
• No tracking cookies, no ad networks, no analytics that sell your data

Copyright

All reviews, scores, data-driven commentary, and original writing on Shortlist are original work and are protected by copyright. You are welcome to link to the site, but do not reproduce or republish content without permission.

Data Sources

Shortlist compiles provider information from multiple public sources. No single source is guaranteed to be complete or current. Sources include:

• State licensing databases — Washington DCYF, Colorado CDHS, North Carolina DCDEE, Texas HHS, Missouri DHSS. Used for licensing status, capacity, category, and inspection history.
• State quality rating systems — Colorado Shines, Washington Early Achievers. Used for state-administered quality ratings where available.
• Accreditation directories — NAEYC, American Montessori Society. Used to verify accreditation claims.
• Provider websites — Individual provider websites are scraped for program details including pricing, age ranges, ratios, meals, schedules, teaching philosophy, and enrollment status.
• Job posting sites — Indeed and Glassdoor. Used for teacher pay data sourced from public job postings and salary reports.
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Metro-area median hourly wages for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2011), May 2023 release, are used as the benchmark for the “above/below median” context displayed on teacher pay data.
• Provider-confirmed data — Some providers update their own listings directly through the Shortlist provider dashboard.

Shortlist does not fabricate data. Every data point traces to one of the sources above. If you believe any information is incorrect, email [email protected] and it will be reviewed promptly.

Questions

If anything here is unclear, email [email protected].