These resources can help you start or run a child care program.
Child Care Aware® of America
Child Care Aware® of America offers access to resources for child care programs. Resources are available to assist you in opening a family child care home or center, operating a family child care home or center, training and other resources. Resources include step by step guides on what to include in your research and action items.
Child Development Associate® Credential (CDA)
The CDA Program is designed to assess and credential early childhood education professionals, which is recognized nationally.
Federal Child And Adult Food Program (CACFP)
CACFP plays a vital role in improving the quality of care for children through funding healthy foods. CACFP provides aid to child and adult care institutions and family or group day care homes for the provision of nutritious foods that contribute to the wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children, and the health and wellness of older adults and chronically impaired disabled persons.
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Encourages child care and early education providers to promote healthy habits for children. Provides tools to implement changes for reducing screen time, providing healthy beverages, increasing physical activity, improving food choices and supporting breast feeding in child care settings.
Office of Child Care
Part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, The Office of Child Care supports low-income working families through child care financial assistance and promotes children’s learning by improving the quality of early care and education and afterschool programs.
National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education
Provides information and resources for child care programs including information on starting a child care program, receiving funding to serve children from low-income families, receive funding to serve nutritious meals, how to collaborate with Head Start, licensing regulations among other resources.
Zero to Three
A national, nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers with a mission to promote the health and development of all young children.