Parent Resources

Steps To Finding Good Child Care - Quality Indicators

We recommend that you visit any provider that you are considering taking your child/children to. Look for what we call Quality Indicators:

-Health and Safety Standards -
There should be frequent hand washing & play & eating areas should be regularly cleaned and disinfected.

-Credentials -
In licensed homes and centers the teachers should have at least their Bachelor's Degree. Caregivers with degrees and/or special training in working with children will be better able to help your child learn.

-Staff Turnover Rate -
A low turnover rate indicates a more stable environment for the children as apposed to a constantly changing group of adults.

-Accreditation -
 Find out if the child care provider has been accredited by a national organization. Providers that are accredited have met voluntary standards for child care that are higher than most state licensing requirements.The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) are the two largest organizations that accredit child care programs.

-Open Door Policy -
See that the child care provider welcomes you being involved in what your child is learning and are receptive to questions you may have concerning their procedures.

-Family Involvement-
Even if you can't get time off from work during the day, you can still check in at drop-off and pick-up times. Ask the caregiver how things are going, and how your child is doing.

Visiting and participating in events at your child's provider sends a strong message. It tells your child and your child's caregiver that you think what your child is doing and learning is important.

-Child to Adult Ratio -
For the Safety of all the children there is a minimum number of adults needed to supervise the children. Make sure that you are comfortable with the total number of children in the center or home. Some parents prefer that there be more children for more social contact, while others prefer a lower number of other children to ensure more one-on-one contact with the teacher. Ask how many children there are for each adult. The fewer the children for each adult, the better for your child. You want your child to get plenty of attention. The younger your child, the more important this is. Babies need an adult to child ratio of no more than 1:4 (one adult for four infants), while four-year-olds can do well with a ratio of 1:10 (one adult for ten children).

CHILD TO ADULT RATIOS FOR LICENSED CHILD CARE CENTERS

Age    Max number of children supervised by 1 person   Max number of children in 1group   

Infant                              4                                                                8 
Toddler                          5                                                               10
2 years                           5                                                               10
30-36 months                 7                                                               14
3 years                           10                                                             20
4 years                           12                                                             24
5 years and older           15                                                              30



CHILD TO ADULT RATIOS FOR LICENSED HOMES

Licensed Homes are not required to separate children based on age groups and often have mixed age environments.

The general ratio rule for Licensed Homes is:

-Licensed Home Facilities with a license capacity of 12 children require a minimum of two adults supervising.

-Licensed Home Facilities with a license capacity under 12 children require one adult supervising.

-The only time one care caregiver can care for 12 children is when ALL children are three of age or older

Evaluating Providers

The following points are good ways to measure the quality of a child care home or center.

Help Paying For Child Care

There are several options for financial child care assistance available to parents. Below is local resource information for these options. If you have additional questions about your eligibility for aid or need updated contact numbers please call our toll free CCRR number at:   1-866-582-2229

*Contact your local Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) / Voucher Program to see if you are eligible for assistance in paying for child care.


LAKE COUNTY VOUCHER PROGRAM
219-757-1957

PORTER COUNTY VOUCHER PROGRAM
219-757-1957

La PORTE COUNTY VOUCHER PROGRAM
219-879-6950

-Ask providers if they offer a "sliding fee scale". This means that the provider may adjust the price of care based on your economic need and income. Not all providers offer this, but it doesn't hurt to ask!

-Ask providers if the have scholarships available for children of families that have an economic need.

-Ask providers if they offer discounts for multiple children in the same family attending the same child care facility. For example: you might pay the full rate for one child and then a discounted rate for each additional child in the same family.

Don't forget to take advantage of the EARNED INCOME CREDIT (EIC) when you file your taxes! Ask your tax preparer about this credit, you may be eligible to get back a portion of your child care expenses.

YOU AND YOUR CHILD DESERVE QUALITY CHILD CARE!

State Wide Links

Locate child care through  the Indiana Family & Social Services Administration

https://secure.in.gov/apps/fssa/carefinder/index.html

National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies
The National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, is our nation's leading voice for child care. We work with more than 800 state and local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies nationwide. These agencies help ensure that families in 99 percent of all populated ZIP codes in the United States have access to high-quality, affordable child care. To achieve our mission, we lead projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, undertake research, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families..
http://www.naccrra.org/

Indiana Association for Child Care Resource & Referral
A network of communities that support the highest quality of child care for all Indiana Families.
http://www.iaccrr.org/

Child Care Aware
Child Care Aware Parent Network is a new free membership organization specifically for parents and those who care for and about children.
http://childcareaware.org/en/


Area Wide Links

CASA of NWI, Inc.
Speaks up for abused and neglected children in juvenile court.

Deaf Services, Inc.
Responds to the needs of deaf and hard of hearing individuals livings in Lake and Porter Counties through Sign language interpreting Services, Case management Services, Sign Language classes, Sale of Assisted Listening Devices, Girl's Youth Program, Educational Workshop/presentations. 

First Steps
Insures that infants and toddlers experiencing developmental delays or disabilities have access to early intervention services close to home when they need them.

Hoosier Healthwise
Hoosier Healthwise is a health insurance program for Indiana children, pregnant women, and low-income families.

Lutheran Social Services of Northwest Indiana  
Provides family counseling, pregnancy counseling, adoption information and foster parent training.

Prevent Child Abuse
Community-based prevention activities, public awareness, and educational initiatives. 

Rx for Indiana  
Assistance with Prescription drug costs.

 WIC
 The Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) is a special supplemental food and nutrition program for eligible pregnant women, breast feeding mothers, infants, and children under five years of age. 

The Women's Center
Pregnancy testing, counseling and support.

Lake County 

Campagna Academy  
Serves junior high and high school males and females with behavioral/emotional problems, at risk of residential placement or ready for reintegration into community, or with special or regular education needs. 

Catholic Charities Diocese of Gary Counseling  
A Christian response on the part of the Diocese of Gary to help meet the human needs of the people of Northwest Indiana.

Greater Hammond Community Services  
Provides emergency services and services to low income families and seniors.

Lake County Office of Family and Children DFC
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (formerly known as AFDC or welfare), the Food Stamp Program, Medicaid or other types of assistance.

Le Leche League Hammond
Dedicated to providing education, information, support, and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed.

MOMS Club of Highland/ Schererville  
Mothers who stay-at-home or work part-time from Highland, Griffith, and Munster in Northwest Indiana.

MOMS Club of Cedar Lake/Crown Point Area  
Supports at-home, work-from-home, and part-time employed mothers of children of all ages in Cedar Lake, Hanover Township, Crown Point, Winfield, Lakes of the Four Seasons, Lake Dalecarlia, Lowell and Hebron.

MOMS Club of Schererville/Dyer/St John
 Includes mothers who stay-at-home or work part-time from Schererville, Dyer, and St. John.

Northwest Indiana CYO  
Provides opportunities for young people to develop strong moral character, self-esteem and leadership qualities. through activities of a social, educational, recreational and athletic nature.

Southlake Center for Mental Health
Community mental health Check out Topic Center for Information on disorders.

Tradewinds Rehabilitation
Services for disabled children and adults.


Porter County

Birthright of Valparaiso  
Provides caring, non-judgmental support to girls and women who are distressed by an unplanned pregnancy.

Family and Youth Services Bureau of Porter County 
 Valparaiso Residential program for troubled children ages 13-17;a program for adolescents who have been found delinquent; and a school-like day treatment program for students in grades 7-9. after-school and in-school groups, summer camp and special sessions for children ages 5-17 who need extra support and guidance in managing their lives; INDEPENDENT LIVING classes, MENTORING programs and CRISIS COUNSELING. 

Hilltop Neighborhood House Valparaiso
Enhancing access to affordable health and child care, and by creating opportunities for meaningful participation in community life.

Le Leche League of Porter County
Dedicated to providing education, information, support, and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed.

MOMS Club of Valparaiso
Mothers who stay-at-home or work part-time from the Valparaiso Area.


La Porte County

The Child Care Consortium, Inc.
Child Development Center, Parental Education 

Division of Family and Children Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (formerly known as AFDC or Welfare)
The Food Stamp Program, Medicaid or other types of assistance .

Dunebrook - Prevent Child Abuse LaPorte Co.
Dunebrook works collaboratively with many agencies to provide parenting education and support programs.

Family Focus, Inc.
Services are provided to strengthen and empower families, support healthy growth and development, promote safe, loving and nurturing homes for children in our communities.

Healthy Communities of LaPorte County
Aiming to spread positive change across the country. Its ambitious goal is to measurably improve residents' health and long-term quality of life. 

La Leche League of Michiana
Dedicated to providing education, information, support, and encouragement to women who want to breast feed Madison Center, Inc.

Madison Center
Community Mental Health Center

Swanson Center
Community Mental Health Center

United Way of Greater La Porte County, Inc.
Strengthening families by breaking the cycles of violence, illiteracy and poverty.

Youth Service Bureau of La Porte County
Youth and family services, Big Brothers Big Sisters.


Community Resources Phone Numbers

FINANCIAL
Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) 219-757-1957
TANF 219-886-6000
Lake County United Way 219-923-2302

EDUCATIONAL
NAEYC 1-800-424-2460
Head Start 219-757-1840
Tradewinds 219-949-4000
Family Resource Coalition 312-341-0900
First Steps 219-662-7790 or 800-387-7837
Diocese of Gary 219-769-9292

HEALTH
Hoosier Health Wise 1-800-889-9949
Red Cross 219-756-5360
Gary Health Department 219-882-5565

PRE-NATAL
WIC Program 1-800-522-0874 or 219-736-8259
Healthy Start 219-989-3939
March Of Dimes 219-736-0023

NEWBORN
WIC Program 1-800-522-0874 or 219-736-8259
La Leche League 219-932-5300
The Indiana Parinatal Network (IPN) 317-924-0825
March Of Dimes 219-376-0023

MISC
Caring Place 219-494-0840
Family House 219-464-4160
Habitat For Humanity 219-923-7265
Boys & Girls Club 219-881-1060

Indiana Child Care Resource and Referrals (SDAs):
 
Workforce Development Services
Servicing: Lake, La Porte, Porter & Starke Counties
(866)582-0033
http://www.wdsccrr.org

Early Childhood Alliance
Servicing: Allen, DeKalb, Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Marshall, Noble, St. Joseph, Stueben & Whitley Counties 
(800)423-1498
http://www.ecalliance.org

Child Care Resource Network
Servicing: Benton, Boone, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fountain, Jasper, Newton, Pulaski, Tippecanoe, Warren and White Counties
(800)932-3302
http://www.thechildcareresourcenetwork.org

Bona Vista Programs, Inc.
Servicing: Adams, Blackford, Fulton, Grant, Howard, Huntington, Jay, Miami, Tipton, Wabash and Wells Counties
(800)493-3231
http://www.bonavista.org

Community Alliance and Services for Young Children
Servicing: Clay, Greene, Monroe,Montgomery, Morgan, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo Counties
(800) 886-3952
http://www.casyonline.org

Child Care Answers
Servicing: Bartholomew, Brown, Hamilton, Hendricks, Johnson and Marion Counties
(800) 272-2937
http://www.childcareanswers.com

Huffer Memorial Children's Center
Servicing: Delaware, Fayette, Hancock, Henry, Madison, Randolf, Rush, Shelby, Union and Wayne Counties.
(800) 554-9331
http://huffermcc.org

4 C's of Southern Indiana, Inc.
Servicing: Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Orange, Perry, Pike, Posey. Spencer, Vandenburgh and Warrick Counties
(800) 423-4008
http://www.child-care.org

Southeastern Indiana Economic Opportunities Corp.
Servicing: Clark, Dearborn, Decatur, Floyd, Franklin, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley, Scott, Switzerland and Washington Counties
(812) 926-1585
http://www.sieoc.org    


TO SEE A MAP OF ALL CHILD CARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL LOCATIONS (SDAs) PLEASE VIEW:
     
http://www.iaccrr.org/default.cfm?page=find-my-local-agency