About Children's Resource and Referral
Referral
and Complaint Policy
Parents' Rights & Responsibilities
Identifing Child Care Needs
How to Choose a Child Care Center
How to Locate & Choose Quality Child Care
The Children's Resource & Referral Program is a clearinghouse for child care referrals and community resources for families in Santa Barbara County. The Children's Resource & Referral Program is one of 60 Resource and Referral Programs (R&Rs) funded state-wide by the CA Department of Education. R&Rs have been an integral part of child development services in California since 1976. The Children's Resource & Referral Program serves the entire Santa Barbara County with offices in Santa Barbara, Lompoc, and Santa Maria. Bilingual (Spanish/English) services are provided.
SUPPORT SERVICES:
- Information about all types of child care options and referrals to licensed care.
- Consumer education materials on choosing quality child care, parenting, and child development.
- Information about community resources including subsidized child care.
- Child development lending library which contains videos, educational materials, and resources for caregivers, parents and community members. Information on legislation and child care licensing regulations is also available.
- Quarterly newsletter with articles of interest to the community.
- Low-cost laminating and die cut services for the community.
- TrustLine, a child care provider registry for license-exempt caregivers. Providers listed with TrustLine have had their criminal history cleared with the CA Department of Justice.
Philosophy
- Are caregiver's/center's philosophy or values comparable to yours? What disciplinary methods are used in the program?
- Do you and the caregiver know that corporal punishment is against the law in any family child care home or child care center?
- Does the caregiver emphasize a religious philosophy? If so, is it compatible with your own?
Caregivers
- What training or experience does the caregiver’s have? (College units, workshops, Child Care Initiative Project?)
- How many adults are with the children during the day? Who are they? What is the adult/child ratio?
- Is the caregiver able to supervise all the children at all times?
Program and Activities
- Will the children get plenty of fresh air and exercise?
- Is there a place for quiet play, for the child to be alone?
- Is television permitted? How much? What programs?
- Is there a regular daily schedule? Is it flexible enough to accommodate the needs of the children?
- Does the caregiver focus on all areas of child development: social, emotional, physical and cognitive?
- Are arts and crafts experiences, games, and music activities offered?
- Is there time for talking and reading to the children?
- Is there time for walks and trips to the park or library?
- Does the facility participate in a Child Care Food Program?
- If not, is there an extra charge for meals?
- What meals are included?
- Do the meals meet nutritional requirements?
- Are parents expected to provide meals, snacks, or formula?
Health and Safety
- Health & Safety Code Section 1596.795 prohibits smoking on the premises of a licensed family child care home or child care center during the hours of operation. Does anyone present smoke?
- AB 1858 prohibits a child care provider from keeping or using baby walkers. Does the caregiver use a baby walker, baby bouncer, walker-jumper or any similar article?
- AB 243: Is there always someone present in the home or center who has completed the mandated 15-hour training in Pediatric First Aid, Pediatric CPR, Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Injury Prevention?
- Is the disaster plan posted?
- AB 1723: Has licensed home/center completed the earthquake safety checklist?
- Will you be contacted immediately if your child becomes ill or is injured?
- What is the sick policy and the standards for exclusion from care?
- Can the caregiver obtain emergency medical care for your child if necessary?
- Is the caregiver able to care for your child when s/he is ill or recovering from an illness?
Miscellaneous
- Is transportation provided to schools, lessons and appointments if needed?
- Does the home or center have the required forms filed separately for each child? Does the file include an emergency medical release, a field trip permission slip, an emergency card and a physician's report with immunization record?
Family Service Agency