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Quality Child Care Indicators
When choosing child care, parents may consider selecting a child care provider that exceeds the minimum standards set forth by DFPS. Quality indicators may include, but are not limited to:
- Texas Rising Star providers who meet specific criteria established by the Texas Workforce Commission;
- Providers who meet specific criteria set by national professional organizations (e.g. NAEYC accreditation);
- Smaller children to teacher ratio in the classroom; or
- Staff with teaching credentials.
Child care providers with a signed Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas provider agreement may voluntarily choose to obtain Texas Rising Star (TRS) certification. Child care providers with TRS certification exceed the minimum standards set forth by Child Care Licensing. Texas Rising Star providers are designated as two, three or four star providers. A child care provider designated as a TRS provider was determined to have met the Texas Workforce Commission’s quality criteria at the time of TRS certification.
Research shows that caregiver education, caregiver training, group size and staff-to-child ratios, daily learning activities, and program environment have a positive impact on a child’s social, emotional, physical, language and intellectual development.
Basic things to look for when choosing child care:
Remember to make unannounced visits!
- Texas Rising Star providers who meet specific criteria established by the Texas Workforce Commission;
- Providers who meet specific criteria set by national professional organizations (e.g. NAEYC accreditation);
- Smaller children to teacher ratio in the classroom; or
- Staff with teaching credentials.
Child care providers with a signed Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas provider agreement may voluntarily choose to obtain Texas Rising Star (TRS) certification. Child care providers with TRS certification exceed the minimum standards set forth by Child Care Licensing. Texas Rising Star providers are designated as two, three or four star providers. A child care provider designated as a TRS provider was determined to have met the Texas Workforce Commission’s quality criteria at the time of TRS certification.
What to Look for When Choosing Child Care
Research shows that caregiver education, caregiver training, group size and staff-to-child ratios, daily learning activities, and program environment have a positive impact on a child’s social, emotional, physical, language and intellectual development.
Health & Safety
Basic things to look for when choosing child care:
- Post or have available a Texas Department of Family and protective Services (DFPS) permit or letter
- CPR and First Aid training
- Health and safety training
- Good hand-washing practices
- Daily review of indoor/outdoor environments
- Fire extinguisher or smoke detectors
- Fire drills practice
- Child proofing
- Emergency or evacuation plans
- Continuous child supervision
- Nutritious meals and snacks
- For reading and learning opportunities
- For both teacher and child-directed activities
- To the children laughing, singing, and playing
- To the teacher’s tone of voice
- To the teacher and child interaction
- To the teacher redirect children’s behavior
- The number of children in a classroom-ratios and group sixe guidelines specified by DFPS are important in all age groups, especially for infants!
- About teacher-child development training
- About child-to-teacher ratio and group size
- About ability to care for children with special needs
Quality Care
Look Beyond Safety- For reading and learning opportunities
- For both teacher and child-directed activities
- To the children laughing, singing, and playing
- To the teacher’s tone of voice
- To the teacher and child interaction
- To the teacher redirect children’s behavior
- The number of children in a classroom-ratios and group six guidelines specified by DFPS are important in all age groups, especially for infants!
- About teacher-child development training
- About child-to-teacher ratio and group size
- About ability to care for children with special needs
Remember to make unannounced visits!