Congratulations to Melody Robinson, for being the first family child care provider in Oak Park to receive Illinois’ new Family Child Care Provider credential. She was one of only 23 such recipients in the state, and she was awarded a Level 2 Credential!
Melody was one of 16 local family child care providers who participated in a pilot project to test the state’s new Family Child Care Provider Credential system, which awards credentials based on college coursework and training. Diana Rosenbrock, the Collaboration’s professional development coordinator, convened this cohort and supported their engagement in the system. Moreover, Diana co-chaired state efforts to develop the credential system to recognize the unique, specialized and professional role specific to family child care providers.
The Collaboration fosters a professional learning community to promote family child care providers’ engagement in state-supported quality improvement activities. We support the professional growth of child care providers and help parents know the skill level of their children’s caregivers.
The Family Child Care Provider Credential is offered by Gateways to Opportunity and is recognized by the state of Illinois. The credential award comes through the Illinois Department of Human Services, Bureau of Child Care and Development.
A quote from Melody was used on a promotional postcard Gateways sends to family child care providers.
Currently, more local family child care providers are in the review process to receive a Family Child Care Credential. With the Collaboration’s continued support, Oak Park and River Forest families will benefit from continued improvement in the quality of services available to our youngest children.
To locate a family child care provider near you, search our Resource Directory.
Congratulations to Melody, who also received four other credentials: School Age, Infant Toddler, Early Childhood and a Director’s Credential!
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