Who We Are…
The Community Child Care Clearinghouse of Niagara is funded through a grant provided by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services and is administered by Niagara Community Action Program, Inc. Child care referrals are provided free of charge.
Our Mission
Niagara Community Action Program, Inc. is a county wide agency dedicated to reducing poverty by initiating and conducting programs of self-sufficiency. Our ultimate goal is to empower individuals and families to reach their fullest potential.
Our Goal
The Community Child Care Clearinghouse of Niagara Is “An Informational Source” for parents, providers, businesses and the community regarding:
- Assisting families in finding child care
- Promoting quality child care for all children
- Helping individuals become registered/licensed child care providers
- Providing professional development for child care providers
- Supplying resources for businesses and the community
The Community Child Care Clearinghouse of Niagara is a member of a statewide and national system of child care resource and referral programs. The Clearinghouse provides information on a variety of services needed by child care providers and parents that also benefits employers and the community in general. The Community Child Care Clearinghouse of Niagara is “Best Practices” certified by the Early Care and Learning Council and Quality Assured by Child Care Aware of America.
Our Privacy Policy
All Community Child Care Clearinghouse of Niagara customer information is treated with discretion and confidentiality. Customer information is not discussed, photocopied, duplicated, or revealed in any way that is not generally known in the public to anyone inside or outside the program.
Services for Parents
The Community Child Care Clearinghouse of Niagara can help parents locate child care that meets their individual needs. The Clearinghouse provides information regarding licensed day care centers, licensed group family day care homes, registered family child care homes and registered school-age child care programs. The information available includes the location of the provider, days and hours of operation, phone number and the type of child care program offered. Referral services are provided free of charge.
Services for Providers
The Community Child Care Clearinghouse of Niagara can supply information on becoming a registered family child care provider. A registered family child care provider cares for children in a home setting. Technical assistance, support and training is available to help in the operation of child care programs. Health and safety items are available to assist in starting a family child care business, and also are available to existing registered family and licensed group family child care providers. Training necessary to maintain a child care registration is offered through the Clearinghouse, as well as a meal reimbursement program for children in care.
Services for Businesses and the Community
The Community Child Care Clearinghouse of Niagara offers resources for businesses to assist employees with all child care needs. Dependable, quality child care provides piece of mind and allows employees to maintain consistent attendance and a more focused job performance. The Community Child Care Clearinghouse of Niagara is available for on-site assistance for businesses and the community in Niagara County. Click here and find out why employers should care about quality early care for children.
Public Policy
The Child Care Resource and Referral network is committed to providing high quality, equitable child care services within our communities. Quality child care can make a difference in a child’s ability to succeed in school and in life. Click here to view the most recent Public Policy Agenda details supported by the New York State Child Care Resource and Referral Programs which include information on such policies as subsidy reform, social emotional health and physical health and well-being of children in child care.
Child Care Aware® of America states: “Nearly 12.8 million children under age 6 are in some type of child care setting in America every week. Unfortunately, in many communities, child care is hard to find, harder to afford, and of questionable quality. Child Care Aware® of America has conducted several national parent polls to find out what parents look for in selecting child care and what they expect. Quality is the top concern for parents, followed by cost. What Child Care Aware® of America found is that parents’ expectations about child care far exceed the reality of federal and state policies. Click here to view Child Care Aware® of America’s public policy agenda.
The Early Care and Learning Council advocates to ensure that quality, affordable child care is available for all children living in New York. The report provides important data and explains ways that you can assist in advocating for quality, affordable child care for all children in New York State. Click here for policy documents published by the Early Care And Learning Council.
Public Policy Reports
Click on Winning Beginning NY (WBNY) and learn about this statewide coalition with over 60 member organizations working to ensure access to child care, Pre-K, after school and home visiting programs for all of New York’s families. Join the WBNY e-advocacy list-serve and easily contact State elected officials about a range of issues of concern to young children and their families.
Winning Beginning NY believes that in this time of fiscal crisis our State must preserve, protect, and increase access to high-quality early care and learning programs. These programs, all of equal priority, are essential for children’s success and our State’s economic recovery.
Click here to view Winning Beginning NY Advocacy Handbook.
Click here to access the Executive agenda.
Strategic Plan
Click here to view a copy of the Agency’s Strategic Plan.
Annual Report
Click here to view a copy of the Community Child Care Clearinghouse of Niagara Annual Report. The report provides an overview of the Community Child Care Clearinghouse of Niagara program for the last fiscal year.
Supply and Demand of Child Care Report
Click here to view a copy of the most recent report on Supply and Demand of Child Care in Niagara County.
Analysis of Child Care Market Rates
Click here for a copy of the Analysis of Child Care Market Rates Report.
Report on Quality Child Care
Click here for a copy of the Report on Quality Child Care.
To view a copy of the Community Child Care Clearinghouse of Niagara’s Economic Impact of Child Care in Niagara County Report please, click here.
Contact Information
Click here for Community Child Care Clearinghouse of Niagara staff contact information.
Click here for Niagara Community Action Program, Inc., Board of Director’s Information. For information on becoming a member of the Board of Directors or becoming a staff person, please contact Suzanne Shears at 716-285-9681 Ext. 103 or by email at sshears@niagaracap.org.
Donations and Volunteering
Monetary donations are accepted and may be restricted for a specific purpose if requested. Other monetary donations may be used to further the mission of the agency. In-kind goods are accepted and distributed to low-income families at no cost. Donations may be tax deductible. To make a donation to the Community Child Care Clearinghouse of Niagara, please make your check or money order payable to Niagara Community Action Program, Inc., 1521 Main Street, Niagara Falls, NY, 14305. For non-monetary donations please contact Suzanne Shears at 716-285-9681 Ext. 103. Volunteers are encouraged!
Volunteer opportunities are available in all programs and include assisting with food distribution and clerical duties. Contact Suzanne Shears at 716-285-9681 Ext. 103 or by email at sshears@niagaracap.org.
Community Needs Assessments
Click here for a copy of the Niagara County Health Department Community Needs Assessment.
Click here for a copy of the most recent Niagara Community Action Program, Inc. Needs Assessment.
Click here for the City of Niagara Falls. (This Needs Assessment was conducted by the John R. Oishei Mobile Safety-Net Team).
Click here for the City and Town of Lockport . (This Needs Assessment was conducted by the John R. Oishei Mobile Safety-Net Team).
Click here for the Town of Newfane. (This Needs Assessment was conducted by the John R. Oishei Mobile Safety-Net Team).
Click here for the Tonawanda and North Tonawanda (This Needs Assessment was conducted by the John R. Oishei Mobile Safety-Net Team).