Choosing child care is one of the most important decisions a family makes, and parents deserve clear, accurate information about the programs caring for their children.

In a new episode of DECAL Download, Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning: Bright from the Start Commissioner Amy Jacobs takes a closer look at recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting that raised questions about child safety, state oversight, and Georgia’s Quality Rated child care system.

The reporting focused in particular on cases where children were harmed or placed at risk at programs that had earned a Quality Rated star rating.

Those stories deserve attention. So does the broader question they raise: How does Georgia actually regulate child care, what does Quality Rated measure, what happens when something goes wrong, and what is DECAL doing to strengthen the system?

Joining the conversation to address these questions are Pam Stevens, Deputy Commissioner for Child Care Services, and Dr. Bentley Ponder, Deputy Commissioner for Quality Innovations and Partnerships, which oversees Quality Rated.

Listen to this vital conversation to learn more about these issues and DECAL’s ongoing commitment to the health, safety, and quality of care for Georgia’s children.

Contact:
Reg Griffin
DECAL Communications Director
404-656-0239
reg.griffin@decal.ga.gov

Bill Valladares
GaFCP Communications Director
404-739-0043
william@gafcp.org

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Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia’s children and their families. It administers the nationally recognized Georgia’s Pre-K Program, licenses child care centers and home-based child care, administers Georgia’s Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program, federal nutrition programs, and manages Quality Rated, Georgia’s community powered child care rating system. The department also houses the Head Start State Collaboration Office, distributes federal funding to enhance the quality and availability of child care, and works collaboratively with Georgia child care resource and referral agencies and organizations throughout the state to enhance early care and education.