Page 12

10 | Early Childhood Education and Care Department SELECTING A QUALITY CHILD CARE PROGRAM What is a licensed program? Child care centers, licensed homes and some after school programs follow New Mexico’s child care licensing regulations. Licensed programs offer various types of care in a variety of settings and must meet minimum licensing regulations. Licensed programs must have their license posted visible to families, staff members and visitors. Their STAR Quality Level is indicated on their license. What is the FOCUS program? A licensed program’s quality level is indicated on their license by STARS. The number of STARS on a child care provider’s license tells you the level of quality criteria that the program has met. A license will have one, two, three, four, or five STARS on it. A higher STAR level indicates a higher level of quality. Some quality indicators a parent can look for can include lower teacher-to-child ratios, increased training and education, the use of daily schedules and planned learning activities, as well as age and developmentally-appropriate environments. You can view providers’ survey inspection reports by going to New Mexico Child Care Finder, search for the provider, once the provider profile is located click the number under Health & Safety Report. The FOCUS program in New Mexico was created for several key reasons: • To help parents, families, and legal guardians identify quality child care programs: FOCUS provides a clear rating system, allowing families to make informed decisions based on the level of quality in child care settings. • To encourage child care programs to continually improve their quality of care: The program promotes ongoing development by setting higher standards for care, encouraging programs to enhance their services through training, curriculum, and family engagement. • To recognize child care programs that provide high-quality care: FOCUS acknowledges and rewards programs that go beyond minimum licensing requirements, offering a pathway for improvement and recognition through its STAR rating system. These goals work together to create a better system of child care that benefits both children and families by raising the overall standards of early childhood education across the state. How can the FOCUS program help me? The system ranges from One-STAR to Five-STAR, reflecting increasing levels of quality in child care programs. A One-STAR rating meets basic licensing requirements, while a Five-STAR rating indicates a program that exceeds these requirements by offering exceptional care and educational opportunities, including highly trained staff and comprehensive support for children’s development. continued →