United Way of Connecticut Programs

Connecticut’s Child Care Resource and Referral

2-1-1 or 1-800-505-1000

www.211childcare.org

Phone Search Engine Live Chat Email

Program Overview

• Assists parents and child care providers in locating child care resources and referrals (100,000+ annual)

• Educates parents on quality indicators of early childhood programs• Maintains comprehensive database of all licensed and license exempt early

childhood and school age programs in Connecticut • Community based trainings to parents (650+ annual) on quality care indicators and

early care professionals (1,000+ annual)• On-site tech assistance to early care professionals (50+ site visits annual)• Technical assistance on becoming licensed child care provider• Data and statistics related to Connecticut’s child care system

Parent ResourcesProvides referrals and consumer education in finding child care that best meets the families’ individual needs through various means (phone, on-line search engine, live chat and email).

Top Requests•Licensing Types/Requirements/DPH Complaint History

•Infant/Toddler Care

•Preschool Age Care

•Choosing Quality Child Care Materials (checklists/interview questions/accreditation)

•Child Care Subsidy/Camperships/Scholarships

•School Age Child Care

•Nursery School Programs (part day enrichment)

•Summer Camp Programs

•Parent Child Activity Groups

•DPH/DCF Complaint Filing

•Nanny/Au Pairs

•Early Intervention (Birth–3)

•Health Insurance

•Special Education Advocacy

•Child Transportation Programs

Consumer Education Materials Choosing Quality Child Care• Types of Child Care• Licensing vs. Accreditation• Checking Complaint History of a Licensed Child Care Program• What Does Quality Look Like?• Questions to Ask Potential Providers Over the Phone• Site Visit Check List• Options to Help You Pay for Child Care• Tips for a Successful Child Care Arrangement• Preparing Your Child for Child Care

Checking Complaint History of a Licensed Child Care Program

Finding In-Home Child Care

Out of School Care Options in Connecticut

Summer Camps

Resources for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Web Based Child Care Search Tool

Web Based Child Care Search Tool

Resources for Early Care Professionals

Services to early care professionals including referrals and technical assistance

Top Requests

• Small Business Development (contracts, insurance, marketing, setting fees)

• How to become a licensed provider/open a center

• First Aid Trainings

• Fingerprinting Services

• Professional Associations/Membership

• On-site Technical Assistance

• Child and Adult Food Program

• Professional Development/Trainings

• Medication Administration Trainings

• Early Intervention (Birth-3)

Professional Development ForEarly Care Professionals and Parent Trainings

Calendar Year 2011

Provider Trainings Top Topics1. Early Literacy2. Music and Movement3. Communicating With Families4. Science with Young Children

Parent Trainings Top Topics1. Happy Meal Times2. Toilet Training3. Guiding Behavior4. Choosing Quality Child Care

On-Site Technical Assistance

Family Child Care Career Support Project•Offers free technical assistance to newly licensed family child care providers.

•Technical assistance is offered in their home with a scheduled time and day that is convenient to the provider.

•277 technical visits (to date) to newly licensed family child care providers.

Resources to start or improve their child care business.

•Business Practices contracts, policies, setting and collecting fees, and advertising.

•Communicating with Families welcoming families into a program and resolving conflicts.

•Child growth and development social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and language.

•Developmentally appropriate activities for children of all ages.

•Routines and scheduling of drop-off/pick-up times, nap/rest times, meals and snacks, and diapering and toileting.

•Effective environments safety, organizing toys, arranging furniture, and appropriate learning materials.

Early CareStakeholders and Planners

Data and statistics related to Connecticut's child care system

Top Requests

• Licensed Capacity/Enrollment/Vacancy Data

• Average Fees for Child Care Services

• Program Accreditation Data

2011 Program Closure Feedback ReportJanuary 1, 2011 – December 31, 2011

2-1-1 Child Care has gathered program closure reasons directly from licensed and licensed exempt child care programs that closed, did not renew their license, or have closed however their child care license continues to be active during the above listed reporting period. The report also includes those programs that have closed due to regulatory actions from the licensing agency; the Department of Public Health (DPH).

Family Day Care Homes: 284 Closed during reporting period•161 – Reasons for closure collected (57%)•123 – Unable to contact (43%)

Capacity and EnrollmentChild Care Availability Survey

• Conducted annually.

• Programs are surveyed to verify ages served, capacity, vacancy, and enrollment.

• A ‘snapshot’ of the availability of child care in Connecticut and the number of children served.

• The survey is available each spring on our website, 211childcare.org.

2011 Child Care Availability Survey SummaryBy Age Group, Region, and Service Type

Fall 2011

Orientation Sessions

Target Audience:Early Care Professional Recruits

Informal Providers

• 1.5 hour workshop on children’s growth and development

• Opportunity to learn more about the process of becoming licensed as a family day care home provider

• Resources distributed to promote health and safety and child development

Session Topics: Child growth and development Health and safety Developmentally appropriate activities Becoming a licensed family day care home provider through the Department of Public Health

2-1-1 Child Care Provider OrientationResource Giveaways

Contents: Health & Safety, Literacy, Numeracy, Fine & Gross Motor Skills

• Bi-lingual Board Book• Stacking cups• Bilingual Beanbags• Rainbow dancing wrist band scarves• Shape Sequence Blocks• Shape Chunky Puzzle• 8 Large Crayola Crayons• Color and Shape Bingo• 2 Pair of Child Scissors• Smoke Alarm with Batteries• 5 Pound ABC Fire Extinguisher• First Aid Kit

2-1-1 Child Care Connecticut’s Child Care Resource and Referral

2-1-1 Child Care helps families obtain child care arrangements to best meet their needs. Child

Care Referral Specialists educate parents about quality child care, provide early care

professionals with technical assistance and resources, provides data and statistics related to

Connecticut’s child care system and maintains current listings of licensed and licensed-exempt

care options in Connecticut.

2-1-1 or 1-800-505-1000

www.211childcare.org

Phone Search Engine Live Chat Email