Choosing a quality child care program

Finding care for your child is an important decision, and one to consider well in advance of your child's arrival.

Overall, a great child care provider or center has:

• Advanced training
• Consistent caregivers
• A setting that keeps your child safe and healthy
• An environment that enhances your child's physical, mental, emotional and social growth

These organizations provide more detailed recommendations, ratings and accreditations to help you select a quality child care provider.

Child Care Council of Kentucky

The Child Care Council of Kentucky has recommendations on what to look for, listen for and ask while you are searching for a quality child care provider.
How to Choose Quality Child Care

Kentucky All STARS

The STARS for KIDS NOW program is Kentucky's voluntary quality rating improvement system for Licensed Type I, Type II and Certified Family Child Care Homes. Programs are rated using a one- to four-STAR level system. This site also allows you to search for STARS-rated facilities. All three child care centers on or adjacent to UK campus participate in STARS and are rated highly, including Early Childhood Learning and Child Development Center of the Bluegrass which have received four STARS.

Understanding STARS
What is Kentucky All STARS?
KY All STARS Provider Information

NAEYC

NAEYC strives to raise the quality of education for all children from birth through age eight. They provide accreditation for programs that offer the best learning experiences for young children and their educators by meeting national standards of quality. This site will help you to look for a NAEYC accredited center/program and learn more about what it means to be NAEYC accredited. All three child care centers on or adjacent to the UK campus are NAEYC accredited.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Finding a child care center

Child care centers near UK's campus
Kentucky Benefind tool to find child care programs near you