Seeking Quality Child Care
As a working parent you probably know that seeking quality child care for your children can be a time consuming task. Selecting a provider usually requires considering the full range of services that are available locally before deciding which setting seems best suited to your needs. As a State of Vermont employee, you can receive expert assistance with this search through the Child Care Referral Service - free of cost.
The Child Care Referral Service
The Child Care Resource and Referral Service provides parents of infants and children (through age 12) with assistance in locating suitable child care by supplying information and referrals to child care providers. As a State employee you can receive assistance with your search for child care, regardless of where you live. A network of resource and referral agencies is located throughout the State. Each agency specializes in the unique services of its geographic area.
How to Use the Service
To use the service, simply call the agency which serves your local area, weekdays during regular business hours. (A complete list of agency phone numbers is listed below.) Identify yourself as a State employee, provide the child care specialist with your employee identification number, and outline your child care needs. The specialist will request various details such as the ages of your children, the type of care you are considering, preferred location, the hours you need care, and any cost limitations you may have. The specialist can help you outline specific questions and concerns to discuss with a prospective child care provider, or advise you to be aware of certain features when you visit a program. These suggestions can help you better judge the quality of the care being offered. You will receive information about the availability of the type of care you prefer or other child care options within your area. Whenever possible, you will be given referrals to at least three child care providers.
Additional Assistance
In addition to the phone conference, the child care specialist will send you a written confirmation of the referrals plus an information booklet that describes key elements of finding and keeping quality child care. Before contacting the child care providers on your list, you may wish to outline several questions to discuss with them. This initial contact should help you to identify the providers you are most interested in. Visiting those programs is a necessary step which will provide you with an opportunity to gather more information and request references. If the initial referrals do not meet your needs, or if you have other questions, contact the service again. Additional contacts to the service are free and unlimited.
Child Care Cost Reimbursement
Persons who are classified or exempt employees within the executive branch can apply annually by April 15th for assistance with the cost of child care. For information about qualification and income eligibility, call the VSEA/ State of Vermont Child and Elder Care Committee at (800) 287-8322 or go to Child Care Cost Reimbursement.
Service Limitations
As a parent and primary care giver for your child, the ultimate responsibility for choosing a child care provider rests with you. The child care specialists cannot identify the specific provider or program that best suits the needs of your child. They can, however, furnish you with helpful knowledge and some useful tools for making your selection an informed one.
Child Care Resource and Referral Service Agencies
ADDISON COUNTY
Mary Johnson Children’s Center
81 Water St.
Middlebury, VT 05753
388-4304
BENNINGTON COUNTY
Bennington County Child Care Association
1522 East Rd.
Bennington, VT 05201
447-3778
CALEDONIA and ESSEX COUNTIES
Umbrella
970 Memorial Drive
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
748-8645
CHITTENDEN COUNTY
Child Care Resource and Referral Center
181 Commerce Street
Williston, VT 05495
863-3367
1-800-339-3367
FRANKLIN and GRAND ISLE COUNTIES
The Family Center
27 Lower Newton St.
St. Albans, VT 05478
524-6574
1-800-427-6574
LAMOILLE COUNTY
Lamoille Family Center
480 Cadys Falls Rd.
Morrisville, VT 05661
888-5229
NORTHERN WINDSOR/ORANGE COUNTIES
Child Care Project
17 1/2 Lebanon St., Suite 2
Hanover, NH 03755
1-800-323-5446
603-646-3233
ORLEANS COUNTY
North East Kingdom Community Action
70 Main St.
Newport, VT 05855
334-4072
RUTLAND COUNTY
Vermont Achievement Center
88 Park St.
Rutland, VT 05702-6283
747-0033
SOUTHERN WINDSOR COUNTY
Springfield Area Parent/Child Center
2 Main St.
N. Springfield, VT 05156
885-5242
1-800-808-4442
WASHINGTON COUNTY
The Family Center of Washington County
383 Sherwood
Montpelier, VT 05602
828-8765
262-3292
WINDHAM COUNTY
Windham Child Care Association
130 Birge Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
254-5332
If you have difficulty reaching the agency in your area, please call 800-339-3367. Ask for the Contract Manager of the State Employees’ Child Care Resource and Referral Service.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact your department’s HR Administrator, or the Department of Human Resources at 828-3491, or call the VSEA at 223-5247.