How Child Care Opportunities Resource Development Center Can Help You

One of Child Care Opportunities Resource Development  Center’s core functions is to support child care professionals. Your local RDC office is available to answer your questions or refer you to someone who can. Our support to child care professionals comes in many forms.

Getting Started
Child Care Opportunities can help you to determine the level of need for child care in your area.

Some things you should consider before starting a Family Child Care Home:

• Would you enjoy spending a lot of time caring for young children?
• Would you be comfortable communicating with parents about their children’s growth and development?
• Is your home suitable for a Family Child Care Home?
• Do you have an outdoor play space?
• Will your family be supportive of you operating a child care program in your home?
• If you have children of your own, how well will they adapt to sharing their home with other children?
• Would you be comfortable with the business issues involved in operating a Family Child Care Home?

For more information please contact the Resource Referral Specialist
Judy Nevells
1-800-834-4378 or 207-667-2467
Fax 207-667-2212 or
email judithn@childandfamilyopp.com

Referral Database
Child Care Opportunities Resource Development Center has a database of licensed providers in the Hancock and Washington County area to refer to when families call seeking child care information. We receive almost 1,000 calls each year from families and listing with us is free advertising for child care professionals. The data collected about child care programs in the area is also useful when advocating for early care and education In our state. We rely on child care programs to update us regularly with any changes to the program (i.e. enrollment, fees charged, address changes, training changes, etc.). To update your programs profile you can access our toll-free referral line at 1-800-834-4378.

Daily Technical Assistance
Child Care professionals can call their local RDC office anytime during business hours with any questions or concerns you may have at any given time. Staff can assist providers in finding useful resources that will help them with their day-to-day business. Staff can also visit your program to provide assistance in curriculum, environment, and other issues.

Knowledge of Quality Care
Often times, child care professionals want to increase their knowledge on a given topic (i.e. Maine Roads to Quality what it means to be accredited, writing contracts and policies, etc.) and staff at local RDCs can help. Whether is it verbal information given over the phone. written materials sent, or helpful web sites, RDC staff are trained in many areas to help educate consumers on early care and education.

Quarterly Newsletter
Child Care Opportunities Resource Development Center writes and publishes a Quarterly newsletter. The newsletter includes training updates, available resources, news on exciting child care initiatives and tips from other caregivers. We are always looking for ideas for our newsletter and welcome provider input.

Resource Materials
Many times professionals are seeking a book, video, or other types of material to assist them in their work. Each RDC has a lending library available to providers and parents. We can also mail materials to interested providers.

Career Counseling
Child Care Opportunities Resource Development Center’s Education Specialist is available to meet with interested professionals around professional development issues (i.e. further education, other types of career opportunities in the early care and education field, hiring an employee, etc.). Face-to-face consultations can be made by appointment with the Education Specialist.

Scholarships
Individual RDC’s have some resources for professionals who are seeking scholarship assistance to attend a course, workshop, or conference. Scholarships are available on a first come, first serve basis and a scholarship form must be filled out

Referrals to Other Community Agencies
Child Care Opportunities  Resource Development Center works closely with other agencies in the area, which support children and families. Many of the agencies have services to assist children directly (i.e. Child Development Services) while others can assist the child care professional directly (i.e. Child Care Plus ME)

For more information please contact the Training Coordinator,
Joy Crockett, at
1-800-834-4378 or 207-667-2467,
Fax 207-667-2212 or
email joyc@childandfamilyopp.com

Office hours are Monday thru Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Child Care Opportunities, Resource Development Center
18 Avery Lane Ellsworth, Maine •  667-2467
14 Stevens Lane, Marshfield, Maine • 1-800-834-4378
judithn@childandfamilyopp.com