High Quality Childcare Center
Why we track this indicator
Studies show that children attending high quality childcare centers have increased health and educational outcomes. From birth through age 5 is the most important time for growth of the human brain. A child’s brain develops in response to the child’s experiences by building neurological networks in reaction to the environment. (FSSA)
High Quality Childcare Centers Data Breakdown
Status: Green
Definition: High Quality is determined by the childcare centers status through Paths to QUALITY, an Indiana State certification program. To be certified as a level 3 or 4, centers must have obtained satisfactory inspections on Health and Safety, Learning Environments, and Planned Curriculum. High Quality Childcare Centers is an unduplicated count of all childcare centers in Elkhart County.
Source: Early Learning Connections
Last Updated: January 2025
Mitigating Factors: None Reported
Methodology
Methodology: The absolute number of unique High Quality Childcare Centers is compared to the previous quarter.
Goal: To observe an increase in the total number of High Quality Childcare Centers compared to the previous quarter.
Traffic Light:
Green: more than 1 high quality childcare center compared to the previous quarter
Gray: within +/- 1 high quality childcare center compared to the pr
Red: less than 1 high quality childcare center compared to the previous quarter
Supporting Research
The Importance of Preschool and Child Care for Working Mothers
Early childhood education cultivates a future workforce, secures long-term economic competitiveness, and develops our nation’s future leaders.
Deserts and Hubs
Nearly 1.6 million children lived in Indiana in 2017. Of those, a third (506,000) are 5 years of age and younger.
Indeed, the size of the preschool-age population will grow statewide over the coming years. However, growth will vary across the state.
Early Learning Connections
Early Learning Connections, a private, non-profit corporation and academic school has been providing a variety of children's programs since 1973.
Levels of Quality
Quality experiences that promote children's healthy growth and development are provided at each level. As child care providers move from one level to the next, those opportunities increase.
Child Care Quality
When families need to use child care, it’s important that their children are enrolled in the highest quality care possible. Research indicates that children who receive a high quality early childhood education have better math, language and social skills as they enter school, and as they grow older require less special education, progress further in school, have fewer interactions with the justice system and have higher earnings as adults.
Related Indicators
Click to see more data trends related to High Quality Childcare Center
Early Learning Connections
The mission of Early Learning Connections is to provide a variety of high-quality early learning programs that foster a safe and positive culture through kindness and respect to meet the comprehensive needs of families.
Indicators in Action
The ‘Data Action Mini Grant’ program will provide low barrier grants to collaborating partners which will help increase cross-system collaboration and facilitate the community response to needs and/or gaps identified through the Elkhart County Child Dashboard. Applicants may request up to $2,000. Two or more applicants can collaborate for collaborative action based upon one or more data indicators and increase the grant request. By leveraging the ‘Data Action Mini Grant’ program partners can have a platform that helps to inform community goals and creates a stronger sustainability platform for their programs.
For a copy of the 1-page proposal template click here or email David Wiegner.