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Healthy Child Care Texas
Improving Child Care in Texas
Email - info@healthychildcaretexas.org

 


 

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  Helpful Information for Parents


What Should I Know About My Child’s Growth And Development?

Every parent worries about whether his or her children are growing, developing, and behaving the way they should at specific ages. There are a number of websites such as those below that offer information designed to help you understand what to expect as your child grows and develops. But, while it is important to read about how children grow and develop, it is even more important to have someone you have confidence in to talk to about your child’s progress. Both your child’s doctor and caregiver can serve in this role. Routinely taking your child to the same doctor for checkups allows you time to develop a trusting relationship where you feel comfortable asking questions, and your child’s doctor has had time to get to know your child. Caregivers can also provide valuable information about how your child functions in an out-of-home setting around other children and adults.

There are checklists you can use to keep track of your child’s progress, and it is recommended to note questions you may have so you will be sure to ask your child’s doctor at each checkup. But 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.

Helpful Links

Overview of Child Development
Child Development Institute
How Babies Develop Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
Ages and Stages American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Developmental Stages
  Disney Online
Take Time for Kids Department of State Health Services
Take Time for Kids Magazines Department of State Health Services
Care by a Physician AAP Why should my child have a medical home?
Finding a Doctor/Specialist AAP Referral Service
  AAP Subspecialty Fact Sheets
 
Immunizations AAP Immunization Information for Parents
  Department of State Health Services
Immunization Branch

Mental/Behavioral Health Zero to Three
  Mental Health Association of Texas Parenting Information (also in Spanish)
  AAP Challenging Early Childhood Behaviors
Discussing Terrorism with
Young Children
Department of State Health Services
Mental Health in Disasters
American Academy of Pediatrics
Safe Sleeping to Prevent SIDS AAP Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Child Care
  AAP A Parent's Guide to Safe Sleep
Safety and Injury Prevention AAP Safety and First Aid
Product Safety Department of State Health Services Product Safety Division
Car Seat Safety AAP Car Safety Seats and Transportation Safety
  Department of State Health Services Safe Riders Program

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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 early care and education providers (i.e., child care centers, family child care homes, Head Start programs and Pre-K programs).  These consultants have expertise in areas such as child health, child development, early childhood education, and the specific needs of children in out-of-home early care and education settings.

The primary goal of CCHCs and MCs are to improve the health, safety, and quality of early care and education settings.  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 early care and education providers that 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 observed in such areas as health policy and practice, sanitation, safe/active play, emergency preparedness, nutrition, sleeping practices (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 a number of guidelines about what makes up quality care.  The following are some of the areas addressed when talking about quality child care.

Licensing Status The facility’s licensing status and whether the facility is accredited.
Staff and/or Caregivers The education/training of the staff. The way staff interacts with the children. The number of caregivers and the number of children each supervises. The consistency of care provided throughout the day.
Program and Activities Whether the staff follows a specific program/curriculum. Whether the activities are age-appropriate. Whether activities are individualized for each child.
Setting The number of children in a group. Whether the environment is healthy, safe and age-appropriate.
Role of Parents The involvement of families. The type of resources provided for families.
Helpful Links 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.  Critical to this is providing infants and young children with opportunities to interact with people (i.e., parents, caregivers, siblings, etc.) and the 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 early care and education provider can be overwhelming.  There are a number of 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 a number of 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 well as get

  • eligibility information,
  • cash assistance,
  • food stamps, and
  • 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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Healthy Child Care Texas - 2005.  All rights reserved. Revised: May 30, 2008