LRCS' Child Care Resource & Referral

Lakes Region Community Services (LRCS) is dedicated to serving the community by promoting independence, dignity, and opportunity.

What is Child Care Resource & Referral?:

Child Care Resource & Referral is a service for:

  • Parents and guardians: we supply you with names of local child care and school-age programs, provide you with tips on evaluating and selecting quality child care and provide you information on child care resources including financial assistance;
  • Child Care providers: we provide you with staff training and resources for your program, connect you with families needing child care and supply interested people with information and resources to start a new child care business;
  • The Community: development of resources within the community to meet the diverse needs for child care.

 

What Do We Do?

  • Provide families with the education and resources they need to find child care through free and confidential referral services.
  • Recruit new providers and help them begin their child care business.
  • Offer assistance and support to child care providers and programs.
  • Develop and maintain a database of child care providers and programs.
  • Provide child care training opportunities to enhance early childhood professional development.
  • Advocate for quality, affordable child care for families and better wages and benefits for child care providers.

For Contact information and/or for referrals:

Belknap/Lower Grafton Counties: Contact Maureen LaClair at 1-603-528-0274; 1-603-524-1741, ext. 39; or 1-800-649-8817; email maureenl@lrcs.org, fax: 603-528-0288, postal address: 635 Main Street, 2nd floor, Laconia, NH 03246

For On-line referrals: visit www.nhccrr.org

 

Hours of Operation: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

 


Statements on policies:

Please know that our services are free and confidential, and that any referrals to providers are not intended as recommendations. It is the family’s right and responsibility to choose care most appropriate for their needs. To ensure the best possible care for your child, we suggest you initially interview providers over the telephone.  Then, schedule visits with providers to see their programs.  Be sure to ask questions about quality and licensing. 

Confidentiality Statement

Any information shared with a CCR&R Network Agency will be kept confidential. We do not sell or distribute in any way. The information is stored in our database and may be used in statistical or anecdotal form to advocate on behalf of children, families and child care.

 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding a childcare provider, we urge you to call us. We will record your concerns and advise you about further action to take. Parent observation and feedback are critical in our service and in all child care. You may also contact the New Hampshire Bureau of Childcare Licensing at 1-800-852-3345, extension 4624 with concerns.

 

Quality Indicators:
Choosing Quality Child Care

When it comes to looking for child care, you want the best for your child. Research shows that high quality child care can have a positive impact on a child’s overall development. Finding high quality child care is very important for your child's well-being.
Most programs and providers are licensed by the State of New Hampshire. Licensed child care programs are expected to meet basic requirements, providing settings that are safe and healthy, and staffed by adults who have some training or experience in caring for children. However, these licensing standards are basic guidelines and do not ensure high quality care. You must rely on your own assessment to determine the quality of care.


Here are some things to consider when looking for child care:

  • Caregiver education — Training in child development is very important. The caregiver should understand how children develop, their stages of growth and their behavior at various ages. Although specialized training is a key indicator of quality, it's best to look for a provider who has both training and experience.
  • National child care standards/Accreditation — Some licensed child care programs have met national standards of quality that are more rigorous than licensing rules. They are then considered to be accredited. These programs/providers take extra training and pass tests to receive national recognition.
  • Group size — Children benefit from the individual attention possible in smaller groups. State licensing rules set standards for how many children of various ages may be cared for by one adult. However, some licensed homes and centers care for fewer children or have more adults to attend to children in smaller groups.
  • Family involvement — A high quality program is responsive to each child. A system is in place for the caregiver to share information about the child's day. The caregiver meets with parents at least once a year to share child's physical, social, intellectual and emotional growth.
  • Consistent care — Consistent care from a sensitive, responsive caregiver is the foundation for healthy development, building the child's security, confidence and a sense of well-being. The presence of a regular caregiver and minimal turnover in staff are essential elements of high quality child care.
  • Health and safety — Children's healthy development depends on safe and positive experiences during the first few years of life. Working during the first few years of a child's life can be a tough choice to make, however choosing quality child care that focuses on health and safety can help ease that anxiety. Here are some tips on choosing a healthy and safe place for your child

You can review the Summary of NH Child Care Regulation as well as The Four Steps to Selecting a Child Care Provider



 

Please Consider Making a Donation

Each year, LRCS supports more than 1000 Lakes Region residents. Your
tax-deductible donation to LRCS will help ensure that everyone in our Make Your Donationcommunity
has the chance to lead a fully inclusive life.

 

 

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