Carrie Kube
Contributing Writer
In my last article, I touched on the need for child care expansion. The response has been overwhelming and we greatly appreciate the positive response. Hopefully, you are putting ideas into action.
It has been a little over four years since I wrote about how parents should go about choosing the right child care. The advice still holds true today.
Begin your search by contacting Child Care Resource and Referral at 855-244-5301 for an updated list of child care providers. They can provide you with a customized list of available providers that best meet your needs. CCR&R can do it for you…for free. While many people turn to social media “swap pages” to find care, you owe it to your child to seek help from a trusted organization first.
When visiting or interviewing potential providers, begin comparing the following quality programming identifiers:
• Registered with the Department of Human Services
Registered providers go through background checks and meet several different criteria to ensure safety while children are present. It also means that your child care provider has been properly trained in First Aid/CPR and mandatory abuse reporter and participates in ongoing continuing education. The registration certificate should be posted.
• Food program participation
Providers under the food program ensure children receive healthy meals and snacks with appropriate amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, vegetables and fruits per day. It ensures your children are eating healthy meals. Providers will receive a financial stipend for their participation.
• Quality Rating Scale rating
QRS demonstrates that a provider has gone above and beyond to ensure their child care environment is the best that it can be. A program that participates has increased measures in place for health and safety, medication management and food and nutrition for the child care environment and that’s just to name a few.
• ChildNet Certification
ChildNet certified understands that providing child care is owning a business that has appropriate contracts, policies and communication strategies in place.
• Consultation Services
When a child care provider is an active participant with a Child Care Consultant or Child Care Nurse Consultant, they are working to ensure quality practices and policies are in place. This can include safe sleep, medication administration, health and safety.
Lastly, for those interested in providing care, realize that Child Care out of your home is a business. There are many local supports in place to help your business grow professionally. Financial incentives are available for implementing quality practices in child care.
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Carrie Kube is a director for the Iowa River Valley Early Childhood Area Board.