Choosing child care
is one of the most important decisions families make. Yet all
too often they must rely on word-of-mouth. Local Child Care Resource
and Referral (CCR&R) organizations help parents take the
guesswork out of choosing care - giving them referrals to local
child care providers, information on state licensing requirements,
availability of child care subsidies, and other pertinent information.
CCR&Rs provide guidance by phone, in person, and in other
ways, such as the internet, that are tailored to each individual
family.
- The Virginia Child Care Resource and Referral Network
(VACCRRN) is a statewide organization established in 1989 to
promote and support quality child care resources throughout Virginia
and to coordinate the efforts of more than a dozen local agencies.
- VACCRRN members include private, nonprofit and public child care
resource and referral organizations that help parents find and
select child care in their communities.
- VACCRRN is recognized by the National Association of Child Care
Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) as the statewide CCR&R
network for Virginia. VACCRRN members adhere to the standards
of operation developed by NACCRRA.
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VACCRRN develops, maintains and expands quality child care resource
and referral services throughout Virginia and works to increase
public awareness of the need for affordable and available child
care.
These activities include:
- Training and technical assistance to local CCR&R’s
and communities seeking to establish CCR&R services.
- Development and implementation of professional standards
and guidelines for CCR&R services.
- Data collection, maintenance and reporting on child care
supply and demand in Virginia, encompassing many aspects
of the childcare available.
- Information resource for public and private organizations,
community planners, human service organizations, state government
and policy makers.
- State-wide planning to advocate for and meet the child
care needs of families.
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VACCRRN members offer a personal approach to child care information,
support and resource building. By talking with parents one-on-one,
CCR&R counselors develop a unique understanding of the
family’s particular needs. They understand that finding
high-quality child care is just a first step to raising happy,
healthy children. Through workshops, hot lines, and newsletters,
CCR&R’s reach out to parents with trusted, local
information that enables them to make informed choices. Educating
parents about early learning and the components of quality
care is also a major part of CCR&R services.
Local CCR&R agencies serve as an important resource for child
care providers. They provide technical support for center-based
and family child care providers on many subjects, including child
development, budgeting, administration, professional development
and many more. They collect and collate child care data that
may be used to advocate for child care provider’s needs.
Each member:
- Assists parents in making informed choices
in selecting child care that best meets their family’s needs.
- Helps to develop and maintain quality child care programs
that are responsive to local needs.
- Provides services to enhance the quality of child care such
as training and technical assistance to child care providers.
- Networks with other community organizations and policy makers
to develop a local child care strategy and build public awareness
of child care issues.
- To Informs communities about the important links between
early learning and later success in school.
- Maintains a comprehensive database on child care needs and
availability.
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CCR&R services are free and available to all families and
child care providers.
As a recognized member of the National Association of Child
Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA), VACCRRN members
cannot selectively endorse or recommend any child care provider,
but rather provide a randomized list of providers based upon
the criterion provided by the parents requesting referrals.
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