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Helpful
Information for Parents

Frequently Asked
Questions:
What Should I Know About My Child’s Growth And Development?
Every
parent wonders if his or her children are growing, developing, and behaving the
way they should at certain ages. While every child's development is unique, the
websites below have information to help you understand what to expect as your
child grows and develops.
However, while
it is important to read about how children grow and develop, it is even more
important to have someone you trust to talk with about your child’s progress.
Both your child’s doctor and child care provider can serve in this role.
Taking your
child to the same doctor for all his or her checkups
(aka having
a "medical home")
allows you to
really get to know the doctor and the office staff, but it also lets the doctor
and staff to get to know your child and your family. This can help you develop a
more trusting partnership with the medical team and make sure that your child
and your family receives the resources and support to keep them healthy and
safe. Child care providers can also provide useful information about how your
child acts in an out-of-home setting around other children and adults.
To watch for
important developmental milestones, there are checklists you can use to keep
track of your child’s progress. You can keep a list of questions you have too so
you will be sure to ask your child’s doctor at each checkup. Also, trust your
instincts - if you feel your child is not developing as he or she should, then
there are resources out there to help you and some are listed below.
Helpful Medical Websites:
Why is Healthy Child Care Texas
important
to me as a parent?
Healthy Child Care Texas is an initiative that trains qualified individuals to
be Child Care Health Consultants (CCHC) or Medical Consultants (MC). CCHCs
and/or MCs consult with and provide technical assistance to child care and early care and
education providers (e.g., child care centers, family child care homes,
preschools, Head
Start programs, and Pre-K programs). These consultants are experts in areas
such as child health, child development, and early childhood education as well
as the
specific needs of children in out-of-home care settings.
The main goal of CCHCs and MCs is to improve the health, safety, and quality
of child care. Healthy Child Care Texas is important to you as a parent
because it trains these qualified individuals to then partner with your child care
provider to make sure your child is thriving in a safe, healthy, and high-quality
environment.
Note: CCHCs and MCs do not work with or treat
individual children.
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Why
should my child’s provider use a Child Care Health Consultant and/or Medical
Consultant?
Research is emerging across the nation that providers
who use Child Care Health Consultants and/or Medical Consultants show changes
in knowledge, awareness, behavior, communication, and health. [Maternal and Child
Health, Washington State Department of Health]
Improvements have been seen
in such areas as health policy and practice, sanitation, safe/active play,
emergency preparedness, nutrition, safe sleeping practices (to help reduce Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome - SIDS), and number of children immunized. [Bureau of Child and
Adolescent Health, New York State Department of Health]
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What is quality child care?
There are many guidelines about what makes quality care. The list below
are common areas looked for when determining quality care.
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Licensing Status: |
Facility’s licensing status
Whether the facility is accredited
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Staff and/or Caregivers: |
Education/training of the staff
Way staff interacts with the
children
Number of caregivers and the number of children each
supervises
Consistency of care provided throughout the day.
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Program and Activities: |
Whether the staff follows a specific program/curriculum
Whether the
activities are age-appropriate
Whether activities are individualized for
each child.
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Setting: |
Number of children in a group.
Whether the environment is healthy,
safe and age-appropriate.
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Role of Parents: |
Involvement of families.
Type of resources provided for families.
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For more
information, visit:
Ingredients for Quality Care National Network for Children
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Why does quality child care matter?
Studies have shown that from birth to age five children develop at a rapid pace
and their experiences form the foundation for their physical, social, cognitive,
language, and emotional development. Because of this, it is important that infants and
young children have opportunities to interact with people (i.e., parents,
caregivers, siblings, etc.) and their environment. Since many parents of young
children work, individuals in out-of-home settings care for their children. Thus, it is imperative that children be provided healthy, safe, and stimulating
environments so they can develop to their fullest potential.
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How do I choose quality child care?
Knowing what to look for when trying to find a quality child care can be overwhelming. There are
many resources available to help
you with this process. Listed below are both national and local resources to
help you evaluate providers. No one but you can determine what is best for your
child; but knowing that your child is cared for in a healthy, safe, and quality
setting can help you feel better about having someone else care for your child.
Helpful Links
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How do I find child care?
In Texas there are many ways to find quality child care. The first place
to start would be to contact the local child care resource and referral agency
that covers your community. They can assist you in locating child care to meet
your needs.
What
other early care and education programs should I know about?
Are there other
resources available to help my child?
The
Texas Health and Human Services Commission "How To Get
Help" page
offers a variety of methods of getting assistance
including how to use the Call 2-1-1 Service as:
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Program Eligibility Information
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Receiving Cash Assistance
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Getting Food Stamps
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Receiving Medical Care
The
Texas Workforce Commission
also offers assistance with Child Care Costs Note: Check out Pre-kindergarten programs if
there is a waiting list.
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Helpful links on
child health and safety
Parenting Corner - American Association of Pediatrics (AAP)
Take Time for Kids - Department of State Health Services
(DSHS)
Take Time for Kids Magazines - DSHS
Healthy Kids, Healthy
Care - National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early
Education
Discussing Terrorism with
Young Children
- DSHS
Children and Disasters - AAP
Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- AAP
A Parent's Guide to Safe Sleep
- AAP
(en Español)
Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play Brochure
- AAP
(en Español)
Safety and First Aid - Injury Prevention - AAP
Product Safety and Hazardous Products - DSHS
Car Safety Seats and Transportation Safety - AAP
Safe Riders Program (Car Seat Safety) - DSHS
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