{"id":20946,"date":"2019-02-07T22:45:47","date_gmt":"2019-02-07T22:45:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/ftf\/?post_type=first-things&p=20946"},"modified":"2019-02-08T17:22:55","modified_gmt":"2019-02-08T17:22:55","slug":"find-quality-child-care-programs","status":"publish","type":"first-things","link":"https:\/\/www.ftf-stg.magnetry.com\/es\/first-things\/find-quality-child-care-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"Tools to help you choose quality child care programs"},"content":{"rendered":"

For many working moms and dads, finding child care for their little one is a must. But the process of finding the right program can be challenging. The recently-updated QualityFirstAZ.com<\/a><\/strong> offers tools and information to help Arizona families make this important decision. The mobile-friendly website includes a checklist and videos to help parents understand and recognize quality child care programs and quality ratings for more 1,000 programs across the state that participate in Quality First.<\/p>\n

Quality matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In a recent survey, 91 percent of Arizona parents said \u201cthe quality of care provided\u201d was an extremely important factor in deciding on a child care setting for infants, toddlers or preschoolers. But \u201cquality\u201d can mean different things to different people.<\/p>\n

Quality First<\/a> is Arizona\u2019s quality improvement and rating system for child care and preschool programs. Led by First Things First, partners from all over the state worked together to establish standards of quality based on what research shows are the most important factors in helping young children learn and grow. Quality child care programs help kids develop important social and pre-academic skills like problem solving, getting along with others, language and literacy, and creativity.<\/p>\n

Checklist & videos<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The qu<\/a>ality<\/a> ch<\/a>ild<\/a> care checklist<\/a> offers families specific things to do, questions to ask and things to look in their search for an early care and education program for their infant, toddler or preschooler. Short videos help illustrate what to look for when visiting a program, and parents can download and print a copy of the checklist<\/a> to take with them.<\/p>\n

Visit QualityFirstAZ.com<\/p>\n

Click and go<\/p>\n

Find programs near you<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The website also helps parents search for nearby child care and preschool programs that participate in Quality First<\/a>. That list includes hundreds of child care and preschool programs in communities across Arizona. All are licensed and regulated, but participating in Quality First is voluntary. These programs are committed to quality improvement, going beyond regulatory requirements to help the infants, toddlers and preschoolers in their care be ready for success in school and beyond.<\/p>\n

Parents can also search for programs that offer Quality First Scholarships<\/a>, which help eligible families afford quality early care and education for their young children.<\/p>\n

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Three-quarters of the more than 1,000 programs that participate in Quality First have earned ratings that meet or exceed quality standards (3-stars and above)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Star Ratings<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To measure progress in quality improvement, each program participating in Quality First is assessed and given a Quality First Star Rating, ranging from 1 to 5 stars. Star Ratings are based on the key components of quality early care and education, including:<\/p>\n