Finding the right child care arrangement can be one of the most daunting tasks for working parents who want only the best for their young children. After all, leaving your child in the care of someone else, even for a few hours a day, is never easy. As a parent, you want assurance that your child will be safe, happy, and intellectually stimulated while you focus on your job. You need to know they are in a nurturing environment with caring providers who will attend to their physical and emotional needs. Nothing causes greater anxiety than worrying about your child's well-being when you are at work.

The search for quality child care can be overwhelming. There are many factors to consider, such as location, cost, availability, and compatibility of educational philosophies. This is where Children's Resource & Referral can provide invaluable guidance. Our knowledgeable team will explain the state licensing requirements, so you understand the baseline for safety and proper supervision. We will also share the indicators of high-quality care, from low child-to-provider ratios to enrichment activities and curriculum. You can trust us to answer all your questions and address concerns about entrusting your child to someone new. We will help you navigate this challenging process to find the perfect fit - a child care provider you feel confident about, a place where your child can flourish, and you can have peace of mind.

WHAT TYPE OF CHILD CARE ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

Most child care for children under 5 years of age require a license from the State. Licensing is the first step, and it means that these providers have all met the minimum health and safety requirements, including CPR and First Aid training.

CHILD CARE CENTERS

State-licensed programs that operate in non-home settings such as churches or other buildings. Most of these centers include a curriculum and are staffed by individuals with some educational background in Early Child Development

FAMILY CHILD CARE

State-regulated child cares that operate in a provider’s home. Family child care providers are not required to have any formal education, but many voluntarily participate in professional development programs. Family child care providers are mandated to take 16 hours of health and safety classes, which includes CPR and First Aid.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS

We also have some programs that have voluntarily decided to improve the quality of their childcare program above and beyond basic licensing requirements. Some of these different programs are Nationally Accredited and/or participate in Quality Counts California. Participation in these programs is strictly voluntary, and demonstrates the willingness of the participant to provide a higher quality of care.

ACCREDITED PROGRAMS (NAEYC & NAFCC):

Nationally recognized programs that have earned the mark of excellence. These programs focus on relationships, their environment, developmental learning activities, health and safety and professional business practices that parents look for in high-quality child care programs. They meet and maintain the national standards of quality child care.

QUALITY COUNTS CALIFORNIA = (QCC)

These programs participating in QCC participate in educational coaching on various categories such as their child care environment; their level of education; and teacher-child interactions, which ultimately lead to higher awareness of quality within their programs.

FAMILY CHILD CARE STEPS TO QUALITY NETWORK

These providers are participating in peer learning communities focused on quality improvement: environment; business; relationships & continued education through classes, workshops, trainings, etc. leading to a higher quality in their program.