Useful Links
We know you want to make an informed choice when selecting a center and program for your child. The following links provide useful information that can help you feel confident that you've made the best possible choice.
- Build a Library at Home for Your Children (2mb, pdf)— The best predictor of reading success is the amount of time children spend reading both in and out of the home.
- At Home Reading Suggestions (3mb, pdf) - Reading at home can help children of all ability levels keep their skills sharp. Just a few minutes each day sharing a story or part of a book with your child can increase interest in reading.
- National Child Care Association—The
NCCA is active in national child-care issues and works in Washington to balance the
quality, affordability, and availability of licensed, private child-care and education
programs.
- National Association for the Education
of Young Children—NAEYC administers an accreditation system to improve
the quality of education and care provided in programs for young children. Its website
provides information for families concerning early childhood development and
child-care issues.
-
Almanac of Policy Issues: Child-Care Issues—The Almanac offers background
information, archived documents, and links on child-care issues in the U.S.
- Administration for Children and
Families—The ACF is a federal agency that funds state, territory, local,
and tribal organizations to provide family assistance (welfare), child support,
child-care, Head Start, child welfare, and other programs relating to children and
families.
- National After School Association—The
NAA is a professional association dedicated to the development, education, and care
of children and youth during their out-of-school hours. Its site offers publications,
articles, and numerous other resources for parents.
- HealthyChildren.org—The
companion Web site to the magazine. It provides expert advice on health and safety,
food and nutrition, family issues, enriching activities, recipes, and more.
- Healthy Child—This
informative Web site features hundreds of reliable, in-depth articles, resources,
and quality information about natural, holistic parenting plus carefully selected
natural, non-toxic products for keeping your babies and kids safe and healthy.
- National Resource Center for Health
and Safety in Child Care—The NRC Web site offers links to a variety of
child-care resources, state licensing agencies, and guides to choosing a child-care
program.