Raise Up a Child

nn BY JENNY O’DONLEY

Early education and child care in Columbia

For working parents relocating to Columbia, finding a child care service that fits both the needs of your child and your family is crucial. Here are the three questions you should ask when evaluating options.

1. ARE YOU LICENSED?

In Missouri, if a provider cares for more than four children and is of no relation to those children, he or she must be licensed, which ensures the service provided meets health and safety regulations.

2. WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS?

Experience and education may give you insight into the child care provider’s professionalism, level of care and expertise. Ask for details about qualifications.

3. WHAT ACCREDITATION DO YOU HOLD?

Missouri Accreditation (MOA) provides quality standards for programs serving children from birth to school age within the state of Missouri. Nationally, the National Association for the Education of Young

Children and the National Association for Family

Child Care are two of the largest associations that provide accreditation.

A Great Start: Parents as Teachers Supports Columbia Families

To help kids reach their full potential, Columbia Public Schools’ Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a free parent education and family support program for qualifying families with children from age 0 to 5.

PAT helps parents lay a strong foundation for children’s future success in school and life through: personal visits, which are facilitated by parent educators, specially trained in child development, who make visits to the family home on a regular basis to engage in discussions about child development and the family’s needs; group connections, which provide opportunities for parents and children to come together to learn more about child development, network with other families and observe their child with other children and practice parenting skills; annual screenings in health, hearing, vision and overall development, offered to each child; and the PAT resource network, through which parent educators can help link families to appropriate community agencies whenever appropriate.

Visit cpsk12.org/pat for more information. To see if you qualify for the PAT program, please call 573-214-3955. l