The Division of Child Care (DCC) offers programs and services to ensure Oklahoma families have access to licensed, affordable, high-quality child care. Quality child care provides children with the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential in a safe, healthy and nurturing environment. Child care licensing representatives inspect each child care facility three times per year through unannounced visits to ensure children are in a healthy, safe, supportive environment. The division licenses nearly 5,600 child care facilities, as well as residential child care facilities and child-placing agencies.
Programs within DCC include:
Center for Early Childhood Professional Development
The Center for Early Childhood Professional Development serves as a statewide training program for Oklahoma’s early childhood educators. It manages the early care and education professional development ladder and Oklahoma director's credential system, and conducts environmental rating assessments for two and three star rated child care facilities. The center also administers R.E.W.A.R.D., a child care salary supplement program.
Child Care Licensing
Child Care Licensing monitors licensed child care facilities in accordance with the Oklahoma Child Care Facilities Licensing Act. Programs are monitored for compliance with health and safety requirements and the quality rating system called “Reaching for the Stars.” Child care licensing specialists provide on-site inspection, technical assistance and consultation. OKDHS also licenses residential and shelter facilities that provide care for children who are unable to live at home, and child placing agencies that place children in foster homes and adoptive homes.
Oklahoma Child Care Resource and Referral Association
The Oklahoma Child Care Resource and Referral Association is a statewide network of eight regional offices that assists families in locating child care, supports child care providers with resources and technical assistance, provides consultation and referral services to local employers and assists communities with planning around child care issues.
Scholars for Excellence in Child Care
Scholars for Excellence in Child Care is a partnership between Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, OKDHS and community colleges. The program supports Reaching for the Stars by elevating the educational level of the child care industry. Each two-year college employs a coordinator who provides technical assistance and support services for child care professionals returning to school.
Warmline and Child Care Consultation
Through a partnership between OKDHS, Oklahoma State Department of Health and Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Warmline provides a statewide toll-free service for child care staff seeking answers to health and child development related issues. Callers can also request consultation for child care centers to assist programs with child behavior management problems. Consultants include mental health professionals and child development specialists.