COAD Programs: Early Care and Education: Infant / toddler information and options for care

Goal: To provide training and support to infant care providers to improve the quality of infant care in child care settings.

As a part of “First Steps – Ohio’s Infant and Toddler Initiative” a trained specialist is available through COAD ECE Division to provide information, support, training, and quality improvement assistance to infant providers in the region. Participating providers complete an assessment on their program and work on quality improvement through an intense training and consultation service provided in a one-to-one approach. The project incorporates the methods taught by West Ed, of California, the premier infant care professional development model in the U.S. COAD Infant Toddler Specialists are Certified in the West Ed PITC curriculum for quality infant and toddler care. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services provides funding for the initiative and COAD partners with the Ohio Child Care Resource & Referral Association to implement the project which began in 2004.

Participating providers may:

• Experience the Environmental Rating Scale for Infant and Toddler settings, an indicator of quality of environments for babies
• Receive an on-site visit to review results of the assessment
• Receive monthly on-site mentoring and coaching toward quality care
• Receive the “Innovations” book on infant / toddler care and development
• Attend mandatory monthly training on quality infant/toddler care
• Experience a direct link to Help Me Grow, and Healthy Child Care Ohio assessments and services
• Borrow from a FREE lending library specific to infants and toddlers
• Receive a quarterly newsletter and training calendar written specifically for providers

For families seeking infant and / or toddler care, COAD ECE offers a free service:

• Available Child Care — COAD Child Care Resource Network provides FREE information on infant and toddler child care options near your home or work. Our comprehensive, database lists over 2000 early care and education programs including child care centers, family child care homes, preschool programs, school-age programs, and Early Head Start programs. A trained counselor will assist you with information about all types of child care in your area.

• Information on care for specific age groups: Infants and Toddlers; Preschoolers; School-age
• Free Referrals to infant / toddler care providers — COAD Child Care Resource Network provides you a list of referrals to child care providers who may meet your needs. COAD does not recommend any provider but assists families to select the care that best meets their families’ needs.
• Choosing Quality — Trained counselors answer questions about choosing quality infant / toddler care and other parenting issues. They will provide checklists to help you select the care you need.
• Funding available to help pay for child care — COAD Child Care Resource Network will refer you to sources of possible financial assistance to help cover child care costs.
• Parenting resources - COAD Child Care Resource Network offers classes on quality care; sibling rivalry, toilet training, guiding children’s behavior, and other topics of interest.
• For information on Ohio Child Care Rules, go to:

Choosing Quality Care for Infants and Toddlers:

• Is there a primary caregiver assigned to my child? • One who cares for my child during daily routines, such as diapering, feeding, napping? • One who builds a relationship through these routines? • One who is loving and responsive? • One who knows normal childhood development? • One who will offer a constant running monologue for my infant and use simple, straightforward words to talk with my toddler? • One who respects my child’s individuality? • One who will work closely with my family to develop a partnership to support my child’s relationship with his or her family culture and family routines?

• One who will share information with me on a daily basis as well as document development and provide progress reports?
• Can I visit my child at any time during the day?
• How can I volunteer in my child’s classroom? Is there a Parent Board?
• What is the size of the group my child will be in? Does this adhere to state-regulated caregiver/child ratios?
• Is there a daily schedule of activities and a menu posted?
• Is the environment sanitary and safe?
• Are the diapering, sleeping, food preparation and play areas separate?
• Are sanitation procedures for each area posted and followed?
• Is hand washing, the single most successful means to preventing illness, practiced and taught?
• Is the area appealing with comfortable lighting and an acceptable noise level?
• Are toys and materials well organized, in good repair, sanitary, and accessible?
• Can the caregiver and the environment accommodate the special needs of my child?
• Is the program accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children or the National Association of Family Child Care?
• Is the child care program licensed by the state of Ohio, Certified by the County Department of Job & Family Services, or affiliated with another monitoring agency?

A trained Infant / toddler specialist is available, FREE of charge to offer information, training, and technical assistance to families and providers. Check here to contact your Infant/ Toddler Specialist via email.

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COAD Programs: Early Care and Education: Infant / toddler information and options for care