Child Care Resources and Referrals - Northern Indiana

WHO WE ARE

Early Learning Connections is a community-based, child care resource and referral agency providing professional support to families, programs, employers and community partners in Northern Indiana.

WHO WE SERVE

Our talented team serves 10 counties in Northern Indiana. We directly offer resources for program providers, parents, communities and businesses. View our coverage area.

If you are looking to start your own child care business in our coverage area, please contact Early Learning Connections.

For more information on Indiana’s Statewide Early Childhood and Out-of-School Quality Supports, including Spark Learning Lab, PTQ Supports, and I-LEAD Support visit https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/5713.htm.

Apply for On My Way Pre-K or Child Care Assistance

Resources

Contact Early Learning Connections

RESOURCES

For Child Care Providers

If you are an early care and education provider—or want to be—then we are your go-to-source. We provide guidance on starting your program, resources for I-Lead, assistance navigating the licensing process, and much more. Call us today for more information: (844) 685.1500 (toll-free).

For Parents

We want to support families, like yours, in their search for high quality child care that meets the needs of their child(ren). We offer free child care search, referrals to community resources, parent education, information about child care programs and resources to prepare your child for Kindergarten. Call us today for more information: (844) 685.1500 (toll-free).

Resources for Child Care Providers
Early childhood professional organizations	Association for Childhood Education International Association for Christian Schools International Child Care Aware Division for Early Childhood Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children Indiana Afterschool Network National Afterschool Association National Association for the Education of Young Children National Head Start Association
Training and Technical Assistance for Licensed Providers	Spark Learning Lab
Obtaining a Professional Credential (CDA) or Degree in Early Childhood; T.E.A.C.H. Program Information	INAEYC T.E.A.C.H. Indiana Non Formal CDA Project
Accreditation of child care programs	Association of Christian Schools International National Afterschool Association National Association for the Educaton of Young Children National Association for Family Child Care National Early Childhood Program Accreditation Council on Accreditation Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children
Child protective services	Child Abuse Hotline Indiana Department of Child Services Mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect resources
Meal assistance for child care providers	Geminus Daily Bread Little Buns DCMI 4C's
Paths-to-Quality (voluntary quality rating system for Indiana child care)	What is Paths to QUALITY? Find Paths to QUALITY providers
Paying for child care (Child Care Development Voucher Fund)	About Child Care Development Voucher Fund (CCDF) CCDF Reimbursement Rates Resources for becoming a certified Unlicensed CCDF Provider: CCDF Provider Eligibility Standards Download a CCDF Provider Eligibility application Frequently Asked Questions CCDF Policy Consultants & Intake Offices CCDF Manuals: CCDF Policy & Procedure Manual CCDF Provider Manual
Pre-K programs for child care providers	Geminus Head Start Child Care Partnership Program On My Way Pre-K
Professional development	Indiana Learning Paths I-LEAD
Research and data	Indiana Early Learning Advisory Committee Child Care Deserts
Resources for On My Way Pre-K providers	Resources and Tools
Rules and regulations for child care providers COVID-19 Guidance and Grants	For Centers: Child Care Center Licensing Rules For Homes: Child Care Home Rules For Ministries: Child Care Registered Day Care Ministries Rules Chlid Care Unlicensed Registered Ministries Interpretive Guide For Voluntary Certification Programs: Voluntary Certification Program Interpretive Guide Voluntary Certification Program Standard General Information: Instructions for National Criminal History Checks
Starting a child care business	Resources for Child Care Providers

Resources for Parents
Accreditation of child care programs	Association of Christian Schools International National Afterschool Association Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children National Association for the Education of Young Children National Association for Family Child Care National Early Childhood Program Accreditation Council on Accreditation
Best practices	American Academy of Pediatrics American Public Health Association Center for Disease Control Consumer Safety Product Commission Indiana Core Knowledge and Competencies National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education
Child protective services and domestic violence resources	Child Abuse Hotline Geminus Abuse Intervention Management Indiana Department of Child Services Mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect resources Policy Makers ZERO TO THREE
Infants and toddlers	Indiana Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative
Paths-to-Quality (voluntary quality rating system for Indiana child care)	What is Paths to QUALITY? Find Paths to QUALITY providers
Paying for child care (Child Care Development Voucher Fund)	About Child Care Development Voucher Fund (CCDF) CCDF Reimbursement Rates CCDF Policy Consultants and Intake Offices

CONTACT EARLY LEARNING CONNECTIONS

Local: 219.685.1500

Toll Free: 844.685.1500

Complaint Hotline: 800.299.1627

Fax: 219.738.5283

Email: elc@geminus.care

Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CST
Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CST

*Other hours by appointment only.

Geminus supports early childhood education, family services, and prevention programs in Northwest and Northern Indiana. Our network of partners includes community-based health care and social services, welcoming Indiana residents of all ages and income levels with fully integrated, streamlined services.