Early Care and Education

Quality Child Care

Are you looking for quality care for your child?  If so, you aren’t alone.  More than 60% of all infants, toddlers and preschoolers in Kent County have both parents in the workforce and are cared by someone other than their parents or guardians.

The Early Childhood Investment Corporation has launched a new system of online early learning resources called Great Start CONNECT, including a new statewide database of the 14,000 licensed/registered child care and early education programs in Michigan.  Click here to learn more about Great Start CONNECT.

So what should you look for when selecting care for your child?  Kent Regional 4C and the West Michigan community developed standards for child care and early education.  Hopefully these standards will help you select the best care for you and your family:

The Caregivers:

  • Interact with children often
  • Are available, responsive, friendly and positive
  • Treat all children with respect and consideration
  • Help children develop responsibility, self-control, turn-taking and problem solving
  • Use positive techniques to guide children’s behavior
  • Offer different kinds of experiences
  • Are at least 18 years old
  • Are high school graduates and have some early childhood training
  • Provide direct supervision at all times
  • Have current CPR and First Aid training
  • Provide sound management of the program
  • Are committed to the profession

The Environment or the Program:

  • Is based on child development theories and the individual child’s interests
  • Includes all children regardless of ability or need
  • Offers a balanced daily schedule—quiet/active; inside/outside; neat/messy
  • Is flexible with scheduling
  • Provides for independence, stimulation and security
  • Allows children to choose their own activities most of the time
  • Has sufficient materials to support the activities
  • Is clean, safe and attractive
  • Provides a space for each child’s belongings
  • Offers a large enough space to meet the needs of the children
  • Is comfortable and well organized
  • Follows all health and safety requirements
  • Is cleaned daily
  • Provides meals and snacks as recommended by the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

The Partnership with Parents:

  • Provides information about the facility’s philosophy and goals for children
  • Has a process for sharing information about the program at the initial meeting
  • Encourages all adults to listen and talk to each other about the child
  • Has an “open-door” policy—parents are welcome any time
  • Includes sharing information daily about the child
  • Is based on trust and respect
  • Caregivers and parents work together to make decisions about the child’s growth and development
  • Communicates the program’s health policies to all families
  • Program policies and procedures are responsive to the needs of the children and families in the community

Kent Regional 4C can help families find quality child care in West Michigan.   You can find the organization on the web at http://www.4Cchildcare.org or call 616-451-8281.

The National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies suggests the following five questions for families to ask before selecting care:

  • What is the adult child ratio? For babies, the recommendation is no more than 1:4—one adult for every four babies.  For a 4-year-old , it is no more than 1:10.
  • What is the group size? The NACCRRA says smaller is better.
  • What are the caregiver qualifications? Does the caregiver have a degree or special training in early childhood education?
  • What is the turnover? It can be hard on a child if caregivers come and go.
  • Is the program accredited? If it is accredited, it means it has met voluntary quality standards that are typically higher than state licensing requirements.
The nonprofit organization Zero to Three has also developed a checklist for parents to consider as they visit child care settings.  Do caregivers speak to the children, even babies?  How does the caregiver feel about discipline?  For the full list and additional resources, click here.

   

Tuition Free Preschool

Why should I consider preschool for my child?

Preschool is an important step to prepare your child for future success.  A high quality preschool can help get your child ready to read and ready to learn.  Research shows children who attend a quality preschool program often have better social skills (such as being able to follow a routine and get along with others), better test scores and are less likely to repeat a grade.

There are two tuition-free preschool programs in Kent County:  the Great Start Readiness Program and Head Start.

Head Start is for 3- and 4-year-old children.  Families must meet income guidelines.  To learn more about Head Start, contact Michigan Family Resources online or at 616-453-4145 or 800-472-6994.

The Great Start Readiness Program is for eligible 4-year-old children.  Most school districts in Kent County, as well as some community agencies, have a GSRP preschool program.  If you would like to learn more, contact your local school district.

Getting Ready for Kindergarten

The first day of kindergarten is one of the most exciting days in a young child’s life, but it can also be a bit scary and overwhelming.  There are many things you can do to help your child get ready for kindergarten.  The Michigan Department of Education has a few suggestions:

  • Maintain a daily routine that includes mealtimes, snacks, and bedtimes.
  • Be sure your child’s shots and health check-ups are current.
  • Make sure your child has plenty of play and outdoor time.
  • Play with your child.
  • Listen to your child.
  • Talk to your child.
  • Read to your child.
  • Write with your child.

In Michigan, children must turn 5 on or before December 1 to enroll in kindergarten.  You may have a lot of questions as your child starts school.  Should you consider Young 5’s or developmental kindergarten?  What will your child do in kindergarten?  How can you help your child become a reader?  The Michigan Department of Education has put together a series of “parent guides” to help answer those questions.

Click here for more information.