Promoting Quality Child Care for Families and Providers

Giggles and Grins Playgroup

Thousands of children in New Hampshire attend child care programs every day.  Some children attend small license-exempt family child care programs (exempt programs can care for a maximum of 3 children in addition to their own children); licensed family child care programs; child care centers; preschool programs; school-age programs and other types of care arrangements, including using family and friends.

Finding child care is one of the most important and challenging tasks families may face as they look for a safe and nurturing environment for their child to cover work schedules and/or to provide socialization opportunities for their child with peers

Lakes Region Community Services (LRSC) is a part of Child Care Aware® of New Hampshire- a group of ten Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) programs throughout New Hampshire that assist families with their child care search. Information about programs throughout NH, along with resources for families, child care providers and the community at large can be accessed on:  http://nh.childcareaware.org.

This year, the LRCS CCR&R program provided referrals for 130 local families. The LRCS program referral list includes over 75 providers offering different types of care for families living in Belknap and Lower Grafton Counties.  In addition to providing free referrals, CCR&R program staff talks to families about quality components and what to look for when visiting child care providers, informs families about the differences between the types of care and answers questions about the search process. Julie Wirth, Child Care Resource & Referral Specialist at LRCS is available to provide important information and referrals and can be reached at 581-1558 or juliew@lrcs.org.

The LRCS program also supports child care providers by offering trainings and technical assistance to help improve the quality of child care in the area. LRCS held 38 trainings this year  with over 590 attendees. Child care providers who participated in the trainings recently completed a survey and comments included ‘Going to CCR&R trainings re-energize me and give me confidence; I always gain new information and knowledge; It’s so nice to meet with other providers;  These services are essential to our operation.’

Providers who are looking for training and technical assistance can contact Julie Choiniere at 581-1579 or juliec@lrcs.org.