Child Care Resource and Referral Agency

COVID-19 Supply Letter of Support

ECU CHILD CARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL AGENCY
ECU's Child Care Resource and Referral Agency, founded in 1997, is dedicated to promoting child care quality, affordability, and availability for all Oklahoma children. Our funding is provided in part by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care. Our agency serves families, child care providers, and employers in the following counties in south central Oklahoma: Carter, Garvin, Johnston, Love, Marshall, McClain, Murray, Okfuskee, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, and Seminole. Families looking for child care, call 1-800-438-0008 or 1-800-862-5590 to speak with a child care referral specialist. 

Resource Lending Library/Provider Resources at ECU CCRR 
ECU's Child Care Resource and Referral has a resource room and lending library available for child care providers, public school teachers, and parents. Lending library hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and Saturday by appointment. Please call ahead when traveling from out of town.

• Check out books, training videos, theme boxes, and curriculum materials
• Use a computer with Internet Access
• Use die-cut machines free (if you bring construction paper)
• Use the laminator for 50 cents a foot
• Use the copier for five cents per sheet
   

Other resources available from ECU CCRR Lending Library:
FREE Bulletin Board Kits (PDF)
Die Cut List (PDF)
Curriculum Theme Boxes (PDF)
 

Useful links: 
Smart Horizons (Online Training)
Center for Early Childhood Professional Education (CECPD)
Oklahoma Department of Human Services - Child Care Services
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Reaching for the Stars
Scholars for Excellence in Child Care (SECC)
Smart Start Oklahoma
Oklahoma State Legislature Website
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Child Care Aware of America
Oklahoma Child Care Resource & Referral Association, Inc.

The Oklahoma Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is offering a free 45-minute training on Injury Prevention in Early Care and Education Settings. To access this resource, click on the above link, place the online course in the shopping cart (it’s free) and check out. Participants will need to create a login with their email, and the link with instructions for the training will be sent to the individual. Please check the training calendar at www.okregistry.org for upcoming provide training opportunities.

Community and Business
ECU's Child Care Resource & Referral Agency offers the following Employer Services:

• Cost-efficient ways to address child care needs of employees
• On-site seminars for employees on balancing work and family, finding quality child care and child development
• Ideas for family-friendly policies for employees

How to Start a Childcare Business
The Child Care Resource & Referral agency (CCRR) is a FREE service for child care professionals. The need for child care has never been greater. In most communities, there are not enough child care choices available.

• Do you enjoy working with children?
• Thinking of opening a child care/home center?
• Are you considering working, substituting, or volunteering in a child care program?
• Want to earn an income while at home?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, we urge you to consider becoming a childcare professional. Our role is to promote quality child care programs that are available & affordable to Oklahoma families through services for child care professionals. If you are interested in working as a childcare professional, please call 1-800-862-5593. The Child Care Resource & Referral Agency is a member of Oklahoma Child Care Resource & Referral Association and is funded through money received by DHS, Division of Child Care. For helpful information on starting a new business, visit the Oklahoma Dept. of Commerce.
 

Parenting Resources

Families looking for child care, call 1-800-438-0008 or 1-800-862-5590 between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to speak with a child care referral specialist. Please keep in mind that the referrals are ONLY referrals and should not be considered recommendations.

Types of Child Care

• Child Care Center: A facility which provides care for eight or more children and operates for more than 30 hours per week and must be licensed by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS).
• Family Child Care Home: A residential home where care is provided for seven or fewer children for part of the 24 days. Family child care homes must be licensed for DHS.
• Large Family Child Care Home: A residential home where care is provided for no more than 12 children for part of the 24 hour day. Ratios apply for ages of children and in most cases, an assistant is required. Large family child care homes must be licensed by DHS.
• Preschool: A facility which provides care for eight or more children which operates less than 30 hours per week. If operating more than 15 hours per week, the program must be licensed for DHS.
• Part-Time/Drop-In: Care for children usually on a temporary or emergency basis, for part day or part week (e.g. Mother's Day Out, support groups for parents, or drop-in centers). Programs operating more than 15 hours per week must be licensed by DHS.
• School Age Care: Care for children age 6 or above that operate when school is not in session (e.g. before/after school, summer break, school holidays). Most school-age programs operating for more than 15 hours per week must be licensed by DHS.
• Camps (Summer): Programs that offer full- or part-day summer activities. Many camps must be licensed by DHS.
• Nanny Services: Care in the child's home by a certified nanny. The nanny may or may not live within the home. Child Care Resources and Referral Agencies can refer you to the nanny placement agencies.
   

​​​​​Steps to Quality Child Care

1. Make a list of things important to you and your child (hours, location, type of care, etc.).
2. Contact your local R & R for a list of local providers that match your family's needs. Request a list of two- or three-star programs.
3. Screen several child care providers over the phone to determine openings, hours, number and ages of children, cost, etc. Let the child care providers know you received their number from the local R & R.
4. Visit several programs you liked best from your telephone conversations and use the parent handbook checklist to help determine quality.
5. If the programs you choose are not two- or three-star programs, encourage these programs to pursue this goal.
6. Call your county DHS representative using the list provided and ask to make an appointment to review the files on the child care programs you are considering. Ask your local R & R agency to give you the names and phone numbers of your DHS representatives.
7. Take your child(ren) to visit the final choices.
8. Call your R & R agency with any additional questions you may have.

Lista para Evaluar el Cuidado Infantil
Lugar:
Se sienten usted y su hijo bien recibidos y a gusto en el lugar?
Hay respeto hacia todas las familias sin importar su raza o idioma?
Hay un ambiente limpio y seguro?
Practican buenos habitos de limpieza?
Se ofrecen alimentos nutritivos a los ninos?
El area de juegos afuera es segura e interesante?
Cada nino tiene un lugar para guardar sus cosas?
Cuidador (A):
Ha recibido capacitacion en desarrollo infantil?
Puede dar atencion suficiente a cada nino porque el grupo es pequeno?
Trata a los ninos con respeto y los atiende con paciencia?
Se pone al nivel del nino para hablar con el?
Acepta y respeta los sentimientos de los ninos?
Promueve la independencia en los ninos?
Emplea metodos apropiados de disciplina?
Sabe primeros auxilios y que hacer en caso de accidentes o emergencias?
Actividades:
Tienen un plan de actividades diario?
Hay libros, juguetes, rompecabezas, bloques, colores, listos para que los ninos los usen?
Hay suficiente tiempo para el juego libre?
Hay tiempo limitado para ver la television?
Hay un tiempo de lectura diario?
Los padres pueden visitar a cualquier hora del dia?
Dan oportunidad a que los padres se involucren y aporten ideas en las actividades?