Little Lambs Daycare Ministry  has successfully completed the Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Family Resources, Bureau of Child Care Voluntary Certification Program (VCP).  The Voluntary Certification Program requires unlicensed registered ministries to meet specific standards regarding food and nutrition, health and safety, and special requirements for programs offering infant and toddler care.

The Indiana Association for Child Care Resource and Referral (IACCRR) is implementing the Hoosier Quality Child Care Expansion Project working directly with unlicensed child care programs to support their efforts to meet the standards.   Marsha Thompson, Executive Director of IACCRR states, “IACCRR is committed to increasing the capacity of high quality child care in Indiana.  We know high quality child care is essential to healthy communities, school readiness and lifelong learning.  This program illustrates our effectiveness in working toward our goal.”

“We decided to access the extra support from the Indiana Association for Child Care Resource and Referral because we want to ensure that we are providing the best care for the families we serve,” says Amy Hayes, program director at Little Lambs.  “By obtaining the VCP, we show that we are dedicated to children and that we will continue to better our Ministry to ensure a safe and nurturing environment. All children should have access to safe, caring, and adequate early childhood care.” Quality Expansion Specialist Yully Ortega mentored the Little Lambs staff through the VCP process. States Hayes,“Yully assisted us in staff trainings, networking, understanding VCP regulations, and in finding resources to help us meet our goals.”

Little Lambs Daycare Ministry is open from Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and accepts children between the ages of 6 weeks and 12 years. Currently there are openings in the Infant and Before/After school programs.

Information about Voluntary Certification Program: http://www.in.gov/fssa/files/vcp_providerguidelinesFinalRevision(1).pdf

Learn more about IACCRR programs:  www.iaccrr.org