Working parents are continually seeking licensed family child care providers in communities across Northeast Colorado.  In most areas, their search comes up empty.  Many more licensed providers are needed to fill this need.  Licensed family child care providers care for more than one family at a time and allow parents to work while knowing their children are being cared for in a safe, nurturing place.  The home business owner of a licensed family child care program earns a good income so they can still pay household bills while having the ability to stay at home with their children or grandchildren. 

There are many benefits of being a licensed family child care provider.  These providers can access free or low cost training through local child care associations, early childhood councils and the Northeast Colorado Child Care Resource and Referral.  Trainings are on specific topics about the group care of children such as guidance and discipline, working with parents, developmentally appropriate and fun activities to do with children of all ages, toilet learning, biting children, sharing books and many more!  Licensed providers can also access a food program which can reimburse the provider over $500 each month for the food they feed the children in their care. 

Colorado licensing helps family child care providers make sure that they are meeting basic rules for health, safety and positive child development.  While the licensing process can sometimes be confusing, the Northeast Colorado Child Care Resource and Referral (NCCCRR) helps people through the licensing process and are available after they are licensed to answer any questions they continue to have.  Family child care licensing information and training calendar can be found on their website, www.ncccrr.org and also on their Facebook page. 

Northeast Colorado Child Care Resource and Referral will be holding a state approved pre-licensing class in Yuma on February 2^nd and 3rd.  This two-day class is part of the training requirements for those people interested in obtaining a family child care provider license. There will be a class scheduled in Limon in March or April.  In some counties, there is financial help for travel and licensing expenses.   

If you have questions about becoming a licensed family child care provider, or would like to sign up or the upcoming pre-licensing class, contact Sheila Anzlovar at the Northeast Colorado Child Care Resource and Referral at 970-848-3867 x 23. 

Northeast Colorado Child Care Resource and Referral provides services in Cheyenne, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma Counties.  They are a program of the Rural Communities Resource Center and receive funding from the Colorado Department of Human Services and the Lincoln and Yuma County Departments of Human Services.