Child care
finding high quality child care
When you’re looking for child care, you want a program that’s convenient, open when you need it, and within your budget. But most importantly, you want your child to be safe, healthy, and involved in a rich learning environment.
We partner with Rainbow Fleet to provide referral specialists who help families clarify their needs, make sense of options and become well informed, quality conscious consumers. Tailored referrals are made from up-to-date listings of family child care homes, child care centers, before and after school care, summer activities, and part-time/drop-in preschool programs.
For more information, contact our child care referral specialists at 1-800-438-0008.
Español (405) 942-4179
How to choose a high-quality program
To make sure your child care home or center supports your child, your family, and your ability to get to work, it’s important to choose a high-quality program.
High-quality care between birth and age 5 can help make sure that your child is ready to start school. In these early years, children learn and develop the skills and attitudes they will need to succeed in school. You can learn more about supporting your child’s development here.
It’s sometimes difficult to identify high-quality child care. How can you find quality child care? What does a quality child care program look like?
Selecting Quality Child Care (okdhs.org)
Un Guía para Padres para Seleccionar Cuidado Infantil de Calidad (oklahoma.gov)
Child care subsidy
HOW DO I APPLY FOR CHILD CARE SUBSIDY BENEFITS?
If you previously received benefits from DHS, you may apply by clicking on the Apply for Benefits hyperlink. If you are a first time user, you will first need to create a user name and password. You may click on the Create User ID hyperlink to do so. You may also apply for Child Care Subsidy benefits by printing and completing the Request for Benefits form. You can then mail, fax, email, or take it to your local DHS office during business hours.Reaching for the stars
Oklahoma has five levels of quality ratings for all licensed child care programs, levels 1-5. All licensed programs immediately qualify as a 1 Star. Programs may voluntarily increase their Stars level by meeting additional quality criteria.
Stars Overview
One Star
Programs meet and maintain minimum licensing requirements that ensure the basic health and safety of the children in care.
Two Stars
Programs meet all 1 Star criteria plus quality criteria such as staff have enhanced education and training in child development and other topics related to their work with children and offering ways for families to join in their child’s education and development, including partnering with families to plan for individual children’s needs.
Three Stars
Programs meet all 1 & 2 Star criteria and additional quality criteria such as providing rich, hands-on activities and equipment that interest the children and sharing this information with families.
Four Stars
Programs meet 1, 2 & 3 Star criteria and additional quality criteria such as lesson plans that meet the interests and developmental needs for each child and providing regular program-wide activities that promote basic skills and higher-level thinking.
Five Stars
Programs meet 1, 2, 3 & 4 Star criteria and additional quality criteria such as adding their choice of five or more program-wide practices which could include child and family orientation, daily playground safely checks, and working with schools (with parental permission) about children’s health and wellness.