The Parent Referral Specialist is available to assist families in searching for quality child care. Using our data base of licensed and license exempt childcare programs, families will be given a number of child care providers to choose from which meet their individual needs.

When seeking quality childcare, a great beginning is to know the QUALITY INDICATORS to look for.

• Health & Safety
• Positive Teacher/Child Interactions
• Staff Child Ratio & Group Size
• Staff Education
• Staff Turnover
• Family Involvement
• Accreditation
• Developmentally Appropriate Activities/Curriculum

Another important recommendation is to be familiar with THE STAR RATING SYSTEM.

The Child Care star rating is similar to rating systems for other services such as restaurants, hotels, etc. The rating goes from 1-5 stars. One star means basic licensing requirements are met. Programs that choose to voluntarily meet higher standards can apply for a two to five star license.

Better school and life outcomes for children depend on quality early childhood teachers who have the skills to ensure that children, supported by their families, have the early experiences they need for healthy development and a strong foundation for learning. North Carolina led the nation in 1999 when it launched its Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), a star rating system for early childhood education facilities. QRIS is a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in child care. It encourages programs to engage in continuous quality improvement and families may use the star rating to make informed decisions when choosing a child care facility. 

Have a question or would like more information? Click HERE to send an email or call 704-487-7397.