When you have a baby there are so many decisions you have to make. Choosing a pediatrician, creating a birth plan, the name of the child and the list can go on and on.

When it comes to picking your child care provider, we do not want you to stress! The YWCA Child Care Resource and Referral team is here to help. We have a database of over 600 child care providers and we can customize a referral list to your needs. Are you looking for a child care provider that does in home daycare or maybe you are looking for a child care center? Whatever it may be, we’ve got you covered! The child care referral list is completely free to everyone, no matter your income. Our office can pull a referral list for individuals living in Boone, Jo Daviess, Stephenson, and Winnebago counties.

We are not able to recommend a child care provider on your list, instead we prepare you to make the best decision. We encourage you to interview the potential child care provider you are considering. Ask them questions to see if they are in line with what you want for your child.

Some questions you may want to ask when considering who you want as a child care provider:

• What is your daily schedule like?
• Do you provide an educational curriculum?
• Do you have an outside area for the children to play?
• Do you have a contract or policies/procedures in place?
• Has the facility been baby-proofed?

We also encourage you to ask for a tour of the daycare. That way you can see the space your child will be in and decide if it is what you are looking for. You could also ask the child care provider for references. This gives you an opportunity to hear experiences from past or present families.

Another major factor when choosing your child care provider is looking at quality. When looking for high-quality child care, you should see that:

• The health, safety, and welfare of the child is the absolute priority.
• Interactions with the children and the child care provider are welcoming and positive.
• The child care provider is responsive to the needs and wants of the child.
• That learning opportunities are developmentally appropriate and interactive.
• The child care provider is supportive and engaging with the child.

We do suggest not waiting to find your daycare provider. You want to ensure that you have a slot available within the daycare you choose. You can give our office a call and we can assist in getting your referral started. You can contact us at 815.484.9448 or stopping by our office at4990 East State Street, Rockford IL 61108. Also, if being a child care provider is a passion of yours, please contact our office. We can assist you with the process of becoming a child care provider.

We know child care can be costly, and the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) can help you pay for it! The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) makes it possible for families and guardians to receive financial help if they’re income eligible. The program pays for child care costs so you can work, attend training, or school. To find out if you are eligible to receive assistance contact our office. If you applied in the past and were denied, we encourage you to re-apply. Effective December 1^, there are several eligibility changes happening that may change the status of your approval.

Our goal is that we can help provide you with resources to be able to choose a high quality child care provider that will keep your child safe and healthy. Daycare will help your child develop skills they will need for success in school and their future. We hope you contact our office when looking for a child care provider. We are here to help!

-Lisa Bock, CCR&R Director