Are you looking for quality child care? Your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) offices can provide you with a child care referral.

CCR&R staff help parents learn about quality child care, what to look for when selecting child care, and why quality child care is important. CCR&R offices keep an up-to-date database with information about child care providers and different child care programs. Referral Specialists will provide you with tools that will aid you in understanding and locating quality child care. They will work to match your family needs with providers who best meet your requirements.

Request a Child Care Referral by Phone

• Call the 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Ask for your local Child Care Resource and Referral Office

Request a Child Care Referral In-office Appointment

• Schedule an appointment with our Referral Specialist by calling us toll free: call the 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Receive Referrals at the conclusion of the appointment

Receive a Child Care Referral Online

• Complete an online profile specific to your family and search for child care providers
• Receive your response immediately
• Questions? Call our office to speak with a friendly and knowledgeable referral specialist

Parent satisfaction

If you have used the on-line child care referral system or worked with a Referral Specialist in one of our seven Child Care Resource and Referral offices we would like to hear from you. By completing our on-line Parent Satisfaction Survey you will help us in providing the customer service that best meets your needs.

CCR&R offices help parents choose quality child care, including information about a child care facility’s child-to-teacher ratio, group size, methods of discipline, and the training and education levels of child care providers. CCR&R Offices provide information about programs provided by the state of Idaho and other resources for parents, including:

• Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP): The ICCP helps low-income families pay for child care. Child care cash tuition assistance is available to eligible families through the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. This program is for parents who work, attend school, or participate in approved activities to help prevent children from being placed in foster care.
  Also, see IdahoSTARS information for parents about ICCP.
• State and Local Licensing Regulations: Child care licensing is important because it protects the well-being, safety and health of children; it regulates standards and encourages improvement of programs; it helps parents know what basic health and safety requirements a facility meets; and it helps parents narrow down their choices when looking for child care.
  Also, see IdahoSTARS information for parents about licensing.
• Child and Adult Care Food Program: This federally-funded program provides nutritious food for children in child care.

CCR&R offices also provide information about these opportunities that enhance child care programs:

• Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS): The QRIS is a voluntary system that uses a 5 STAR rating structure for child care programs similar to ratings for hotels, movie and restaurants.  
• Strengthening Families through Early Care and Education: The Strengthening Families program helps reduce incidents of child abuse and neglect by building family strengths. Participating child care programs and staff partner with families to increase their overall strengths, build resiliency, and work together toward the prevention of child abuse and neglect. IdahoSTARS has embedded the Strengthening Families philosophy into the Quality Rating and Improvement System. IdahoSTARS has a number of approved Strengthening Families trainers available statewide, and has developed a Strengthening Families Specialization that is based on receiving training in the Strengthening Families curriculum, reflection and practical experiences. (An IdahoSTARS Specialization is defined as a formal recognition of individuals who work with young children and families in child care.)
• Professional Development System (PDS): The quality of care for Idaho’s children increases when child care providers have professional development opportunities through training and education. IdahoSTARS approved trainings help child care providers increase their knowledge of child development, increase their skills, and stay current in the field of Early Care and Education.
• Mentor/Coaching: The Mentor/Coaching Program is designed to benefit children by supporting child care providers in centers and homes throughout Idaho. Mentor/coaches help providers offer high quality child care whether that means working with them on lesson plans, enhancing their classroom environment, or helping with Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) paperwork.
• Child Care Health Consultant Program (CCHC): The CCHC Program is a program for child care providers, children, parents, and the community. The purpose of the CCHC Program is to partner with other professionals and work with the child care community to help create environments that best support the healthy growth and development of infants and young children.