By Cori Bruce
Executive Director

Having a child is a huge transition for a family. Selecting a child care program is one of many important decisions new parents will sometimes have to make.  This important decision will make a big difference in your child's development, health and happiness.  SNCS is here to help…

Sierra Nevada Children’s Services is a private, nonprofit child care resource and referral agency that has supported families, early childhood professionals and the community since 1978.  Our purpose is to inform and educate parents so that they are able to make this decision more confidently.

Research shows that the first three years of life are the most critical, in terms of a child’s development.  Quality child care promotes trust, independence and positive social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.

We believe that choosing child care starts with asking the right questions.  We offer the following Child Care Resource & Referral services:

    *Child care referrals - check out our website to see what questions you should consider when thinking about your child care options www.sncs.org under Parents/What is Quality Child Care;
    * Child development information - SNCS has a child development team that consist of child development specialists with knowledge of typical and atypical child development from birth through adolescence; knowledge of early childhood education);
    * Choosing Quality Child Care Checklist - found at www.sncs.org/Parents/checklist for finding childcare;
What other services does SNCS offer, besides help with child care?
Sierra Nevada Children’s Services Family Resource Center has regularly scheduled child development programs that are designed to engage families in fun, family-friendly activities that are grounded in current research in child development, delivered by child development specialists.

    *    Parenting classes that focus on positive guidance/discipline strategies with young children, family systems, family relationships;
    *    Parent Leadership Council - a group of parents who use their collective voices to promote the well-being of families in Nevada county;
    *    Tots and Twos Program is a program designed for children and parents to model interaction, thus guiding parents on the value of interactive play with their toddlers.
    *    P.L.A.Y. (Parenting, Learning, Activities, Year-round) Program is a self-guided play group and the activities available through P.L.A.Y. are designed for you to learn about and support your child’s development while having any opportunity to visit with other parents.

Whether you are considering child care, fully investigating your different child care options, and/or accessing child development information and resources, SNCS is here for you.  And remember…

Choosing child care…

…shouldn’t be a leap of faith.  Let SNCS help!