In 2006 The National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA), conducted a nationwide series of 14 focus groups with parents to find out “What do parents want out of child care?” The simple answer was, “Parents would like to place their children in child care programs where they can learn new skills through planned curricula and interaction with other children in a clean, safe and loving environment.” But the more complicated answer was, for these parents, and millions of others across the United States, finding child care that is high-quality and affordable is incredibly difficult. Parents today are living highly stressful lives. Child care is such a crucial component of keeping most families solvent. So, helping parents connect with quality child care businesses is one of the things we enjoy almost as much as helping providers keep their enrollment high.
Therefore, it is with a great deal of excitement that we announce the launch of a new website and program to help make the distance between parents and childcare shorter than ever.
Everyone benefits from quality childcare; parents, providers and, most importantly, children. That’s why the Utah Office of Child Care has created the website, CareAboutChildcare.utah.gov, in partnership with the Child Care Licensing Program and Utah’s Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies. This program is intended to promote quality child care and to help parents locate licensed providers in their area. Care About Childcare (CAC) is designed to serve as a resource to parents looking for child care by matching the families’ specific needs to child care providers' specific strengths.
The CAC website will also provide links to child care and child development resources for parents, grandparents and providers.
Care About Childcare will display informative profile pages for all child care facilities registered in our database, this includes licensed centers, licensed family providers, residential certificate, and licensed community based after school programs.
Licensed centers (full day child care) and licensed family providers that have been licensed for six months or longer and that are in substantial compliance with licensing, will be able to apply for CAC Quality Indicators that will be showcased on their profile page. Participation is 100% voluntary. Parents that are searching for quality child care will have access to your individual provider profile page.
Why Should I Participate?
The Care About Childcare criteria was developed using multiple research based standards defining quality childcare in specific areas. Each provider profile page will feature seven Quality Indicator tabs such as: Health & Safety, Family Involvement, Indoor & Outdoor Environment, The Program and Administration. You will also be able to highlight your education, accreditation, and/or professional development which on the parents view will be a synopsis of the providers training and achievements listed on the Training Registry.
As a participant in this program, you will be given an invaluable opportunity to highlight areas in which you excel, marketing your program to parents who are looking for the quality that you offer. In addition to this, you may be eligible for a Care About Childcare grant, which is available to providers who participate. Active participants will be awarded grants upon completion of the requirements. Funding is limited; these grants include selected Lakeshore toys and materials valued at $350 to $1250, depending on the licensed capacity. To see FAQ's click here.
Care About Childcare Quality Indicator Grant
The items listed below are necessary for you to receive your CAC Quality Indicator Grant.
- Licensed Centers and Licensed Family Providers that are in substantial compliance with licensing are eligible for the CAC Quality Indicator Grant (see application)
- Update your CAC marketing page with pictures and a program statement
- Update your status on your CAC professional development tab
- Apply for a minimum of 2 criteria from each of the following CAC Quality Indicators:
Health/Safety, Indoor Environment, Outdoor Environment, The Program, Administration, Family Involvement - Apply for Indoor Environment criteria #1: the program offers at least 3 different activity areas/learning centers that are available for use during free choice times.
(Please note, if you need additional materials to meet this indicator, you can use the CAC Grant to purchase items to satisfy this requirement)
CAC Quality Indicator grant amounts are:
- $350 for licensed family provider and center with a capacity of 16 or less
- $375 for licensed centers with a capacity of 17-75
- $1000 for licensed centers with a capacity of 76-174
- $1250 for licensed center with a capacity of 175 or more
Completing the items listed above will qualify you for the CAC grant and you will be able to purchase materials of your choice from our exclusive Care About Childcare Lakeshore website.
We are excited about having this program in Utah and look forward to working together to make Care About Childcare successful for everyone involved.
To receive the latest updates, don't forget to "LIKE" Care About Childcare on Facebook
Contact Us
Sarah Hansen
Resource & Data Specialist
801-326-4374
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