Parents

Quality Counts is a hub where you can find quality  child care and preschool programs based on an easy to understand rating system.  Our goal is to support parents’ understanding on the essential elements of quality care, why quality matters, and how to find a program that best fits your family’s needs. As a parent, you want the best for your child and selecting a child care program is one of the most important decisions you will make. Search here for a provider who makes quality a priority and who will support your child’s healthy development and success in school and life. This site contains valuable information for families who are expecting, and those with young children. It is never too early to start learning about quality care and education.

High quality preschool and child care supports all children’s learning and development in a safe, engaging environment through caring, qualified professionals partnering with families.

State-licensed centers and family child care programs for young children (birth through age 5) use different names, such as: early care and education, child care, day care, child development program, nursery school, preschool, pre-kindergarten, and early learning program. For ease of use and familiarity, we are using the terms preschool and child care for this website, to include all of the types listed above.

Preschool and child care is delivered in centers and family child care homes.  Some programs are part-time, part-year, while others offer full-day, full-year care. Preschool and child care programs can be privately run (non-profit or for profit), operated by a local school district, or managed by a state funded program or federally-funded programs like Head Start. All Quality Counts programs  adopt standards and practices above and beyond licensing standards which focus solely on basic health and safety.