As students prepare to head back to school, many parents are on the hunt for a day care they can trust.

Margarita Scouten, representing the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, said parents should only consider day cares that are regulated by the state.

"Do your research on child care. Visit several different types of child care facilities. Ask questions, take tours, do your research, go online and look at their last compliance," Scouten said.

She said children who are enrolled in unregulated child care facilities could be missing out on several benefits.

"They're not going to get the inspections conducted by child licensing. They're not going to get the background checks that are required in regulated day care. They're not going to get the training, the experience or the education that's found in regulated day care," she said.

Health and safety standards could also be compromised.

Regulated child care providers will have a permit or license on display.

Shelley Smith, director of All God's Children Child Development Center, said she and her staff work tirelessly to make sure they are always up to code.

She said parents are always welcome to stop by and take a look around--a step Scouten encouraged all parents to take before enrolling their children in day care.

"Once the parents come in and see the facilities and meet everybody...I think that plays a big part in making parents feel comfortable with where they're leaving their kid," Smith said.

To learn more about registered and licensed child care options, visit DontBeInTheDark.org or TxChildCareSearch.org.