Child Care Aware recently published a shocking statistic – only 7% of Child Care programs are accredited nationally. According to the Miles Foundation, of the 1,365 licensed child care programs in Tarrant County, only 92 are considered “quality” using NAEYC, NAC, TRS and TSR! as indicators of such. This means only 7% of all licensed child care programs in Tarrant County are considered “quality programs.”
Now more than ever it is important to research and know which Child Care programs are of quality – in your area. Last week, Cook Children’s “Checkup Daily” posted a great blog on the top-ten questions to ask a child care program.
For parents who are not comfortable asking key questions, Camp Fire offers a free Resource and Referral locator service for anyone seeking child care, preschool, after school and summer care. As one of only six Child Care Resource and Referral services in the state of Texas, this is a great opportunity for families looking for the best care for their children guided by an early childhood education specialist.
Lyn Lucas is the Chief Program Officer at Camp Fire First Texas. Her specialties include working with children in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors, managing school-age programs and NAEYC-accredited early childhood education programs. Lyn holds a Master of Education in curriculum studies and serves on the Texas Youth and Child Care Worker Association board.
