BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) -- Charita Perry runs the childcare center at Greater Shiloh Missionary Church. It's one of hundreds of faith-based day care providers that is exempt from state licensing. Exempt centers aren't required to follow child to teacher ratios or go through regular inspections.

That raises concerns for some parents, but the difficult economic times are causing more families to take another look at childcare options. In fact, experts say an unlicensed day care isn't necessarily a bad choice.

Joan Wright is the executive director of Childcare Resources, a Birmingham child advocacy organization.

"If the facility isn't licensed, the parent needs to know that and they need to ask questions to make sure that it's still going to be a quality facility," Joan says.

Charita welcomes those questions from parents. She says her program adheres to state health and safety standards, just without the official license.

"I really feel that quality childcare should be at every center," Charita says. "It doesn't matter where you live, what kind of money you're making."

All of Charita's employees are trained in CPR, and they go through background checks. She's able to charge parents about half of what they would pay at licensed centers.

"It is fair to say there are unlicensed centers out there that are high quality programs, but parents need to base their decisions on information and facts," Joan says.

Charita agrees. Providing quality care at an affordable price allows her to bring smiles to faces like these every day.