Are you looking for quality child care or have questions related to child care issues and don’t know where to turn? Craven Smart Start’s Child Care Resource and Referral Program (CCR&R) provides a free child care referral service for area parents who are faced with these issues. CCR&R’s Parent-Provider Specialist can provide information about the availability of child care spaces in the area and can answer general questions related to child care on-site at the CCR&R office or by phone. For information, contact Christen Fries at (252) 672-5921 Ext.23 or visit her at the CCR&R office located in Magnolia Plaza at 2111FNeuse Boulevard in New Bern. Office hours are 8:00AM-5:00PM Monday through Friday. Parents can also get online referrals through a new online referral service at www.cravensmartstart.org.
CCR&R is designed to provide training and information to early care educators, parents, and the community. In addition, CCR&R operates a resource lending library for parents and the community and offers monthly play and learn sessions for parents and their children. For information about any of these services, call 672-5921.
Craven Smart Start, Inc. is a public-private partnership that administers the funding and programs of Smart Start, North Carolina’s early childhood initiative, in Craven County. The mission of the program is to ensure that every Craven County child, birth through five, receives the education, health and family support necessary to arrive at school ready to succeed. For information about Craven Smart Start and its services, contact (252) 636-3198 or visit www.cravensmartstart.org.
Submitted by: Pinkie Moore, Community Outreach Coordinator, Craven Smart Start, Inc.