CARE Connections offers referrals in Curry County

Southwestern Oregon Community College CARE Connections Child Care Resource and Referral is offering free child-care referrals for families in Curry County.

Child care options in the Brookings and Gold Beach areas currently include openings for infants and toddlers. Parents and guardians are urged to interview prospective caregivers carefully and to observe the environment for indicators that the setting will be safe and healthy for their children. Indicators of quality child care include warm caregiver relationships, low adult-to-child ratios, positive guidance techniques, safe toys, well-supervised activities and stimulating age-appropriate learning experiences.

Parents should ask questions about care providers’ experience, references, training and registration status. In general, caregivers must register with Oregon Employment Department’s Child Care Division when they provide child care to three children from more than one other family on a more than occasional basis. Exceptions include care provided in the child’s home and others specified by the Child Care Division.

Finding infant and toddler care during non-traditional hours can be especially challenging for families in small towns and rural areas due to limited availability. In these situations, parents and employers can benefit from working together to find flexible solutions that best meet the needs of both the workplace and the family.

For more information about local child care options, employment-related child care assistance, supplemental subsidies for children with special needs, provider registration and child-care regulations, those interested can contact CARE Connections at (541) 469-9299 or toll-free at (800) 419-1371. For information in Spanish, those interested can call (541) 888-7134. For information about a provider’s registration status or to report concerns about regulated child care, consumers can call the Child Care Division toll-free at (800) 556-6616.

Press Release Date: December 13, 2007