First 5 Yolo

Child Care

Access to affordable, high-quality childcare was expressed as a primary concern by Yolo County parents during a comprehensive needs assessment conducted in 2008. Quality childcare enhances learning environments to optimally support the healthy development of young children. This include workforce development and retention of childcare providers. In addition, the need for affordable childcare, including infant care, that could be accessed during non-traditional hours of care was also a major need. The Commission will address concerns about quality and affordability by funding nearly $400,000 per year for activities that increase the number of high quality, affordable center-based, home based and/or public childcare spaces.

City of Davis, Resource and Referral Quality Enhancement Project (QEP)

The QEP provides a county-wide approach to reaching the objective of quality childcare. The program provides supportive services, training and resources to childcare providers. By focusing on improving quality through training and capacity building, the overall access to quality childcare will increase throughout Yolo County.

The major components of the program include:

  • Onsite education, support and resources to private center and family childcare staff
  • Onsite training, resources and technical assistance to increase capacity for family childcare center staff to care for children with special needs
  • Subcontract with Warmline and individual consultants with child-development expertise, especially in the area of special needs

QEP Outcomes FY 07-08

  • Twelve childcare centers participated in the Quality Enhancement Program and 33 family childcare sites.
  • 848 new spaces were created and 48 providers received enhancement services.
  • As a result, 90% percent of the centers (n=12) increased the quality of their programs/facilities by scoring in the acceptable range (greater than four) on the ECERS or FDCRS assessments.
  • 20 children with special needs served through QEP were successfully placed and retained in childcare accommodations for at least six months.
  • 75% of parents attending a parenting education workshop series reported an improvement in parenting skills.

Comprehensive Approaches to Raising Educational Standards (CARES)

The CARES program has been administered through the City of Davis, Childcare Services Agency since 2003. This countywide program offers financial stipends to individuals in private childcare settings who are working on their degrees in early childhood education (ECE). To become eligible for stipends, participants are required to meet with a CARES advisor and complete an education plan prior to attending workshops and trainings.

CARES Outcomes

Childcare Mini-grant Program

First 5 Yolo established a mini-grant program for family childcare providers in 2002 and has distributed over $75,000 since that time to providers throughout the county. Licensed or license-exempt providers may apply for up to $1,000 to improve the quality of their home centers. Requested materials are pre-approved by the City of Davis, Childcare Services Agency after the providers are rated on an environmental-quality assessment. All materials purchased directly relate to the scores on the assessment and are used to improve quality in areas where providers score lower than the ideal.
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