Accredited providers would give the brochures to enrolled parents, who could use them when speaking to friends seeking child care. Providers also gave brochures to parents who inquired about child care openings. It did not take long for the providers to begin receiving calls from parents seeking accredited child care. The focus on accreditation also influenced the provider community. Seven more providers from the neighborhood are participating in the accreditation project.
Parents learn about child care in the context of relationships.
This project revealed that parents seeking child care responded well to the information about quality that they received from providers and from peers using accredited programs. As parents inquire about accreditation when contacting providers, they begin to increase the demand for accredited programs. Providers have a lot of knowledge to offer parents about good quality care. Providers who participated in this project reported that it enhanced their sense of professionalism. They wanted parents to value their accreditation and understand what quality child care is and why it matters.