High Quality Childcare Center
Why we track this indicator
Studies show that children attending high quality childcare centers have increased health and educational outcomes. From birth through age 5 is the most important time for growth of the human brain. A child’s brain develops in response to the child’s experiences by building neurological networks in reaction to the environment. (FSSA)
High Quality Childcare Centers Data Breakdown
Status: Gray
Definition: High Quality is determined by the childcare centers status through Paths to QUALITY, an Indiana State certification program. To be certified as a level 3 or 4, centers must have obtained satisfactory inspections on Health and Safety, Learning Environments, and Planned Curriculum. High Quality Childcare Centers is an unduplicated count of all childcare centers in Elkhart County.
Source: Brighter Futures Indiana
Updated: Quarterly
Last Updated: April 2026
Mitigating Factors: None Reported
Methodology
Methodology: The absolute number of unique High Quality Childcare Centers is compared to the previous quarter.
Goal: To observe an increase in the total number of High Quality Childcare Centers compared to the previous quarter.
Traffic Light:
Green: more than 1 high quality childcare center compared to the previous quarter
Gray: within +/- 1 high quality childcare center compared to the pr
Red: less than 1 high quality childcare center compared to the previous quarter
Supporting Research
The Importance of Preschool and Child Care for Working Mothers
Early childhood education cultivates a future workforce, secures long-term economic competitiveness, and develops our nation’s future leaders.
Child Care Deserts
Most Indiana census tracts fell within the moderate-to-low capacity part of the spectrum (1,138 tracts). 281 tracts were categorized as child care hubs, while 149 tracts were identified as child care deserts (see Figure 4). Both hubs and deserts have reasonably high numbers of jobs and children, while hubs have sufficient child care availability and deserts do not.
Brighter Futures Indiana
Brighter Futures Indiana offers information to empower families, like yours, in their search for the highest-quality learning experiences for their children. These resources are here to support you in your journey as your child’s first and best teacher. This site also supports the unique and critical responsibilities of programs and providers, as well as, serving up important information for engaged community partners.
Paths to QUALITY
Paths to QUALITY™ gives families an easy to recognize tool for selecting a child care program. Families can look for the Paths to QUALITY™ logo to determine what level their provider has achieved. Each level builds on the foundation of the previous one, resulting in significant quality improvements at each stage and in national accreditation at the highest level. The system validates child care programs for ongoing efforts to achieve higher standards of quality and provides incentives and awards for success.
Child Care Quality
When families need to use child care, it’s important that their children are enrolled in the highest quality care possible. Research indicates that children who receive a high quality early childhood education have better math, language and social skills as they enter school, and as they grow older require less special education, progress further in school, have fewer interactions with the justice system and have higher earnings as adults.
Related Indicators
Click to see more data trends related to High Quality Childcare Center
Early Learning Connections
The mission of Early Learning Connections is to provide a variety of high-quality early learning programs that foster a safe and positive culture through kindness and respect to meet the comprehensive needs of families.
Indicators in Action
The ‘Data Action Mini Grant’ program will provide low barrier grants to collaborating partners which will help increase cross-system collaboration and facilitate the community response to needs and/or gaps identified through the Elkhart County Child Dashboard. Applicants may request up to $2,000. Two or more applicants can collaborate for collaborative action based upon one or more data indicators and increase the grant request. By leveraging the ‘Data Action Mini Grant’ program partners can have a platform that helps to inform community goals and creates a stronger sustainability platform for their programs.
For a copy of the 1-page proposal template click here or email David Wiegner.