For Families
Why Participation in Quality Care South Dakota Matters
Quality Care – Birth to Age 5
All parents want to support their child’s health, happiness, and development. Choosing quality child care is an excellent way to do this! A quality child care program provides a safe, nurturing environment where children can thrive, engage in meaningful play, and develop essential skills.
Research tells us that 90% of brain development occurs in the first five years of life. The brain develops based on a child’s specific experiences. Children in high-quality child care are more likely to have positive experiences that help their brains develop to the fullest.
Quality Care South Dakota (QCSD) is a voluntary opportunity designed to support child care programs and educators by providing one-on-one coaching support and observational data to support programs and educators in developing continuous quality improvement plans. Staying actively engaged in quality improvement is an investment that takes time and dedication. High-quality child care programs recognize that investing in their staff with participation in QCSD ensures that educators are equipped with the tools and knowledge to create a healthy, safe, child directed, and engaging learning environments for your child. By choosing a child care program that prioritizes staff development, you are investing in your child’s future.
Benefits of Quality Child Care:
Impact how children learn, think, and develop life skills
Promote social and emotional skills
Encourage curiosity and cultivate a love of learning
Foster positive relationships with well-trained caregivers who are committed to your child’s growth
Quality Care – School Age
In quality school-age care programs, children are not simply supervised; they are engaged in an exciting array of activities that cater to diverse interests and age groups. These activities can range from sports and arts to science explorations and cultural appreciation, all designed to foster creativity and self-expression. Whether they’re climbing high on the playground, tackling a challenging art project, or collaborating in team sports, children expand their horizons while gaining essential life skills.
Beyond just fun and play, quality school-age care enriches children’s emotional wellbeing and social wellbeing. Through guided interactions and collaborative games, kids learn the importance of teamwork, communication, and empathy. They become adept at problem-solving and conflict resolution, preparing them for future interpersonal challenges.
Additionally, a well-designed program integrates educational opportunities seamlessly into everyday activities. Homework help, literacy exercises disguised as engaging games, and enrichment projects ignite a passion for learning. Experience shows that children are most likely to pursue knowledge in environments where they feel secure and intellectually stimulated, and quality school-age care can be the perfect catalyst for lifelong curiosity.
Quality Care South Dakota (QCSD) is a voluntary program designed to assist school-age programs and educators by offering personalized coaching and providing observational data to support the development of a continuous quality improvement plan. Committing to quality improvement is an investment that takes time and dedication. High-quality school-age programs understand that investing in their staff through QCSD participation helps ensure educators are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to create safe, healthy, child-centered, and engaging learning environments. By selecting a school-age program that prioritizes staff development, you are making a significant investment in your child’s future.
Parents can also take comfort knowing that their children are in an environment that prioritizes safety and health. Trained staff are not only educators but mentors who positively influence a child’s development during these formative years. The combination of structured schedules, oversight, and dedicated attention ensures children can make the most of their out-of-school time.
Explanation of levels (Areas of focus)
Level 1: Programs complete these criteria
- Good standing with licensing
- Use consistent checklists and schedules
- Positively interact with children, parents, and families
- Strengthen knowledge of child development
- Makes prioritizes learning opportunities with professional development
Level 2: Programs complete all criteria for level 1 AND:
- Participates in external observation to gather data on quality environments.
- Complete goals focused in areas of health and safety, learning environments, program management, and workforce development.
- Encourages free choice and offered a variety of learning activities based on children’s needs
- Help guide child behaviors to build interpersonal relationships
- Shares information with families and community
Level 3: programs have demonstrated all level 1 and 2 criteria AND:
- Conducts internal observations of learning spaces and staff-child interactions
- Provides ample free choice and accessibility for children’s activities
- Incorporates curriculum based on children’s needs and interests
- Plans for continued learning and professional growth
Level 4: programs have demonstrated all level 1, 2, and 3 criteria AND:
- Participates in external observation to gather data on quality environments and interactions
- Shares information and events with families and community
- Encourages staff to prioritize age specific professional development
- Program focuses on leadership development to continue quality improvement and maintenance
For questions, please reach out to SDSU.SDQRIS@sdstate.edu
Quality Care South Dakota is housed at the Child & Family Resource Network on the campus of South Dakota State University.
Box 2218
Brookings, SD 57007
SDSU.SDQRIS@sdstate.edu
605-688-5730
Hours: 8 am – 5 pm CST, Monday -Friday