Bismarck (CSi) North Dakota early childhood service providers work to help shape the lives and futures of the children in their care. In conjunction with Child Care Provider Appreciation Day, the North Dakota Department of Human Services has recognized two licensed early childhood service providers with the Make a Difference Award for their work in enriching the lives of children and families.

KinderKidz, a licensed facility provider in Dickinson, and Shelly Differding, a licensed group provider in Valley City, were selected for this award based on their licensing compliance, commitment to improving program quality, efforts to meet the unique needs of all children in care, and other criteria.

As a licensed child care group provider, Shelly Differding is able to provide care for up to 12 children. She has been licensed since June 1981. Differding has maintained a high level of excellence in licensing compliance for over three decades, and she remains committed to the community and the children and families she serves.

County social service early childhood licensers and child care consultants from Child Care Aware of North Dakota nominated providers for this award.

Eberhardt said there are about 1,600 licensed home, group, and facility child care providers and preschool and school-aged programs in the state, and there is support available to help individuals interested in starting a licensed child care business.

Individuals interested in becoming a licensed child care provider should contact Child Care Aware of North Dakota at 800-997-8515, online at www.ndchildcare.org/, or contact their local county social services office child care licensing unit. County office contact information is online at www.nd.gov/dhs/locations/countysocialserv/.

For information on early childhood services programs, visit

www.nd.gov/dhs/services/childcare/.

The North Dakota Department of Human Services regulates these types of child care providers: licensed, unlicensed self-declared, and unlicensed “approved relative” providers. The agency also establishes standards and supports training and education of child care providers.

The Governor’s Child Care Provider Appreciation Day proclamation can be viewed on the web at

www.nd.gov/dhs/services/childcare/.