Start here
Two questions, then a written answer with the next step and a person to reach. Every answer on this page was written for one kind of visitor, so nobody has to translate a general one into their own situation.
If you need to find child care
IdahoSTARS is Idaho’s child care resource and referral system. It keeps the list of programs in your area and the quality rating for each one. Once you have two or three names, walk through the Quality Child Care Checklist before you visit, so you are comparing the same things at every program.
If you need help paying for care
The Idaho Child Care Program, usually written ICCP, helps low-income working families cover a portion of child care costs. It is a state program, so eligibility and the application live with the state rather than with us. Family Resources explains what to gather before you apply and who to call if the answer is confusing.
If you need to get ready for kindergarten
READY! for Kindergarten is a workshop series for parents, on the premise that you are your child’s first and most influential teacher. It is practical rather than academic: what to expect at each age, and what to do about it at home. Sessions are scheduled locally, so check Events for the next one near you.
Next step
If you need support as a parent
A Parent Café is a guided small-group conversation with other parents. There is no cost and no curriculum to buy. Groups are capped at twenty-five people and each person registers individually, so sign up early when one is listed in your town.
If none of that fit
The search box at the top of every page covers each program, collaborative, event, published report, and staff listing on this site. A question typed into it gets an answer with the sources under it.
