Free Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) services are available to all Indian River, Martin and Okeechobee County families. Whether you are looking for quality early care and education programs for your infant, preschooler, or school age child or would like to get information on the available Resources in your community, our CCR&R Specialists are available to help you.
For more information on CCR&R services, please call our toll free number 1-877-220-1223 or 772-220-1220.
Call our offices Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or visit any of our offices located at:
Indian River – 2459 St. Lucie Avenue (14th Avenue) Vero Beach, FL 32960
Martin County – 10 SE Central Parkway, Suite 200, Stuart, FL 34994
Okeechobee – Call 772-220-1220
Why is it Important to Select the Right Child Care Program?
The process of finding quality child care is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. Recent research about how rapidly babies’ brains grow and develop underscores the importance of the first three years for getting your baby off to a good start. It is during these early years that the brain makes the connections necessary for learning and establishes a foundation for your child’s future.
During the preschool years, children learn social skills and values, organize ideas, explore, experiment, and begin to understand the world around them. Their environment needs to offer them opportunities to enhance related areas of development by offering space to play and help others, new experiences and new materials, and opportunities to involve themselves in everyday life experiences.
School age children, too, need constructive things to do in a safe and supportive program. A quality after school program supports learning, builds links to the community, and guides children in forming strong relationships with caring adults.
Let Us Help You Find a Quality Child Care Program!
Child Care Resource and Referral is a free service that links parents to child care providers and other agencies in the community by referring families to a database of all legally operating child care providers according to need and preference. We refer to over 160 child care centers and family child care homes in three counties in addition to Head Start, Redlands Christian Migrant Association, Community Child Care Resources, After-School Programs, Summer Camps, and Au-Pair Programs. Child Care Specialists help parents take the guesswork out of choosing child care by:
- Providing information on different types of care including Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Programs (VPK) and customized referrals
- Educating parents about early learning and the components of quality care
- Reviewing information on state licensing requirements
- Helping parents find choices in care for children with special needs
- Informing eligible parents about the availability of child care subs
We do not guarantee the quality, availability, and affordability of referred programs, and we do not recommend one child care program over another. Guidance is provided by phone, in person, and in other ways, such as the internet, that are tailored to each individual family.
How Can I Reach a Child Care Specialist?
Child Care Resource & Referral services are available at no cost in the three counties by calling 772 220-1220 or toll free 877 220-1223 Monday – Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. A Resource & Referral Specialist will be able to help answer your questions.
Florida Relay Services
Florida Relay is the communications link for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, or speech impaired. Through the Florida Relay service, people who use specialized telephone equipment can communicate with people who use standard telephone equipment. To call Florida Relay, dial 711, or use one of the toll free numbers listed below:
1 800 955-8771 (TTY)
1 800 955-8770 (Voice)
1 800 955-1339 (ASCII)
1 877 955-8260 (VCO-Direct)
1 800 955-5334 (STS)
1 877 955-8773 (Spanish)
1 877 955-8707 (French Creole)
For additional information about:
- Children’s Medical Services – Services for children with disabilities and/or special health care needs. This resource is also for early care and education providers needing information, consultation services and technical assistance in serving all children.
- Child Care Aware of America – the nation’s leading voice on child care.
- Child Abuse Registry – 1-800-96-ABUSE The Florida Abuse Hotline accepts reports 24 hours a day and 7 days a week of known or suspected child abuse, neglect, or abandonment and reports of known or suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
- Department of Children and Families – This website contains child care resources for families.
- Department of Children and Families – Public Provider Search Link
- Family Guide
- Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System (FDLRS)
- IRS – Federal child care tax credit
- Early Steps
- Florida Kidcare is our state’s children’s health insurance program for uninsured children under age 19. Eligibility for Florida KidCare is based on your child’s age and family income.
- Division of Early Learning is dedicated to ensuring the accessibility, affordability and quality of early learning services for Florida’s children and families.
- A Quality Checklist for Family Child Care Homes
- A Quality Checklist for Child Care Centers and Preschools
- Voluntary Prekindergarten and Readiness Rate Information
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Developmental Standards Birth to Kindergarten
