Looking for Child Care?
A parent has to consider many factors when selecting a child care program for their young child including location, affordability, and availability. It is also critical that parents consider which type of care is best for their child, what curriculum supports their child's needs, and the professional credentials of the staff. While personal recommendations are a great resource, it is imperative that parents be informed consumers when choosing care for their young child.
Quality Counts
Choosing out-of-home care for a young child is one of the most important decisions a parent will make. It can be an overwhelming, intimidating, and at times a frustrating experience.
The choice is complicated by the variety of options available to parents. Options range from small family child care homes to large private preschools. Every program is unique with variances in cost, location, teacher credentials, and experiences available to children.
The good news is that help is finally here. This year the Early Learning Coalition, Whole Child Leon, and Moms Like Me partnered together to implement the area’s first rating system for child care programs. The rating system will help parents break through the wealth of information and help them to make informed decisions when choosing a program for their children.
The rating system is similar to a hotel or restaurant rating system in that it provides a performance rating in six key areas:
- Curriculum, Screening & Assessment
- Family Engagement
- Health & Safety
- Program Administration
- Staff Qualifications
- * Learning Environments (required additional monitoring)
