Child care is a topic of importance to families, early care providers, school age providers and policy makers. Interest in assuring a quality system of child care has intensified because the availability of affordable, quality child care is directly linked to economic and social benefits for the state. Parents can work, employers can fill jobs, the tax base can grow and our children’s needs for nurturance, supervision, socialization and intellectual stimulation are met when an adequate supply of quality child care is available.
The Office of Child Care (OCC) has continued to make progress over the past year to develop and implement initiatives to assure children and families receive the supports they need within their own communities. Each of the OCC programs integrates aspects of these common goals:
