Information for Families
Family members are a child's first teachers. As a parent or guardian, you are the most important person in your child's life during the early years. Other important people are the child's caregivers.
Looking for Child Care?
Your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency can assist you in locating child care services. They will be able to give you information about available providers in your area; this will allow you to call or visit potential programs before making a selection for your child.
In addition, you may want to inquire if a program participates in STARS for KIDS NOW, Kentucky's Quality Rating System. While participation is voluntary, the system provides a tool for you to identify the level of quality (1-4 Stars) that is provided in the program. Ratings are based on staff/child ratios, group size, curriculum, parent involvement, training/education of staff, regulatory compliance, and personnel practices. For more information about the standards used to rate child care programs, click on the links below.
Want to Know More about Your Child's Development?
The Parent Guides for Kentucky 's Early Childhood Standards, published by the KIDS NOW Early Childhood Initiative, provide information about the developmental sequence that children go through during the first four years of life. The guides help you understand the importance of the daily interactions you have with your child and how everyday routines and activities relate to your child's learning. Parent Guides are available for two age ranges: birth to three years and 3-4 years.
Concerned about Child Safety?
The Child Care Safety Checklist, published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, can help.
Want More Information about Parenting?
The Daily Parent is a newsletter which provides information about topics of interest to parents. It is published approximately every three months by Child Care Aware and is available on their web site in both English and Spanish. There is also an e-mail service which will notify you when a new issue is posted (click here to subscribe).