Helpful Information for Parents

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What should I know about my child’s growth and development?
• Why is Healthy Child Care Texas important to me as a parent?
• Why should my child’s provider use a Child Care Health Consultant and/or Medical Consultant?
• What is quality child care?
• Why does quality child care matter?
• How do I choose quality child care?
• How do I find child care?
• What other early care and education programs should I know about?
• Are there other resources available to help my child?
• Helpful links on child health and safety

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]

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.

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.

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

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:

• Program Eligibility Information
• Receiving Cash Assistance
• Getting Food Stamps
• 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.