LOUISVILLE, KY - Every day, 13 million preschoolers - including 6 million infants and toddlers - are in child care*. This is 3 out of 5 young children, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. With child care being a necessity for so many parents, they need to be assured their children are in safe hands at a quality child care facility.

YMCA Child Care has partnered with KFC's new charity, Colonel's KidsŪ, to help provide families information and access to affordable, quality child care. To ensure parents have the knowledge to make the right child care decisions, YMCA of the USA is releasing their revised Quality Matters Handbook, which is available by calling the Colonel's Kids hotline at (800) 874-3273 or online at www.colonelskids.com and www.ymca.net.

Quality Is Key
The Quality Matters Handbook tells readers just what constitutes quality in a child care setting and how they can go about selecting a quality child care program. Finding the right child care program can ease parents' minds as they consider some of the key issues of parental concern today, issues such as safety, cultural differences and the behavior of their children and the children around them.

Cultural Differences

• Does your child care program celebrate diversity? Does the program recognize prejudices and address issues against different cultures with an anti-bias approach?
• Do activities envision and reflect different cultures?
• Does the staff take time to research, understand and talk to people of different cultures? Are they able to respond appropriately, plan appropriately and treat all people with respect?

• Does staff recognize key signs to determine if a child is displaying behaviors stemming from current economic conditions or other; for example, out-of-work parents, parents being called to military duty or another situation at home?
• What is the staff/child ratio at your child care facility? Does it meet government regulations in your state?
• Is there dedicated playtime for children to learn, socialize and explore? Thirty minutes of playtime for every three hours in child care is the standard.

• Is there an evacuation plan for fires, tornadoes and bomb threats?
• Is staff trained in CPR and other first aid procedures?
• Are there adequate procedures for staff screening, parent sign-in and-out, and other safety measures?

Background
YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for America's 2,434 YMCAs, collectively the nation's largest community service organization and largest provider of child care. YMCAs serve 18 million people, including 9 million children through a broad range of programs. YMCAs are for people of all faiths, races, ages, abilities and incomes. Many YMCAs offer financial assistance. To learn more, visit www.ymca.net.

Inspired by Colonel Harland Sanders' love for children and KFC's commitment to family values, Colonel's Kids was established to help combat America's child care crisis. KFC is one of the first corporations to address the child care issue nationally. Money raised through Colonel's Kids will help YMCA Child Care develop pilot programs in two underdeveloped areas: infant/toddler care and extended-hour care. For more information on the Colonel's Kids charity, please contact the Colonel's Kids hotline at (800) 874-3273 or log on to www.colonelskids.com.

* According to Child Care and Early Education Program participation of Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers (1996, Oct.) Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics. Appeared in print online at www.childrensdefense.org (Children's Defense Fund).