CCAoA welcomes guest blogs that provide important insights and information about the child care field. 

This guest blog features how Iowa’s CCR&R Emergency Preparedness statewide team came up with a plan to help increase severe weather awareness within their communities. 

In high-quality child care, families trust that their children are being cared for in safe, secure, nurturing environments. Child Care Aware® of America believes that every family should have this opportunity and that the entire child care system should support children’s growth, development and educational advancement. 

CCAoA welcomes guest blogs that provide important insights and information about the child care field. ClassWallet, a sponsor at CCAoA's 2023 Symposium, provides a digital wallet solution.  

Celebrate Provider Appreciation Day® 2023 by joining the #ThankYouChildCare Twitter chat!  

Hosted by Child Care Aware® of America, you are invited to respond to questions and share how you are celebrating. It’s also an opportunity to help educate others on how we can collectively improve the child care sector for all.    

Physical play is an important factor in children’s learning and supports their healthy development. Playgrounds provide spaces for children to be active, engage in imaginative play, socialize with peers and develop new skills. While public playgrounds and playspaces’ safety and access can vary across geographies, too often playgrounds are scarce, and the quality of existing playgrounds could be better: frequently consisting of broken play components, outdated equipment or surfaces that should be replaced. A lack of quality play and exercise infrastructure can negatively impact children's mental and physical well-being. Furthermore, violence within and around parks can negatively impact children's access to public parks and play spaces.