The State of Rhode Island completed a needs assessment on the availability of high-quality infant-toddler childcare slots and found that many of our communities have limited or not enough infant or toddler childcare. To address this critical need, Children’s Friend has partnered with the Rhode Island Department of Human Services to increase high-quality infant-toddler childcare in underserved communities.
Children’s Friend is beginning to identify and partner with existing childcare sites and family childcare homes to increase quality. We will set goals with partner sites related to improving learning environments, increasing staff qualifications, and offering professional development opportunities. We will provide individualized curriculum support and child assessment, and will utilize a coaching model to promote optimal staff-child interactions. Our shared vision is that all children enter school ready for success through the provision of unified, high-quality, comprehensive, education, and supports.
Children’s Friend and its partners are committed to robust quality improvement and advocating for high quality early care and education services and supports. This public-private partnership allows Children’s Friend to broaden its reach and impact on the most vulnerable children in Rhode Island.
We are grateful to have been chosen to support and partner with the Department of Human Services and child care centers and family childcare homes to increase the amount of high-quality infant-toddler care in RI.
If you are interested in learning more about this initiative, please contact Kristen Caine, Child Development Manager, at KCaine@cfsri.org.
Dana Mullen, Chief of Programs
Kristen Caine, Child Development Manager