Better Beginnings is Arkansas’s tiered quality rating and improvement system for child care, early education and school-age programs. Better Beginnings is administered by the Arkansas Department of Education Office of Early Childhood. Better Beginnings connects Arkansas families with the information and care that helps children experience a safe, happy and healthy childhood.

Children are born learning. High-quality Better Beginnings providers understand the best way to support your child’s early brain development and teach them is not through lessons or worksheets. The most effective learning happens through play and positive interactions with parents and educators.

Better Beginnings star-rated quality child care providers are easy to find on our website. Click the link in the orange banner at the top of the homepage to search for a Better Beginnings provider in your area. Type in your city or county and check the box of the age level of care you want. More stars means higher-quality child care.

Better Beginnings early childhood educators stay up-to-date on the latest skills to support your child through required annual training, and use research-based curriculum developed by early education experts.

A quality early childhood learning environment includes these things for successful child development:

• Protection of children’s health and safety.
• Learning opportunities that are stimulating with concepts brought out through play experiences.
• Positive relationships and interactions between educators and children.

Kindergarten readiness is a big part of Better Beginnings. Kindergarten can be difficult for children who have not been
in a high-quality Better Beginnings child care program. Learning with qualified child care professionals prepares your child to start kindergarten with confidence. That early learning head start can last a lifetime.

Give your child the best start possible with Better Beginnings star-rated quality early childhood educators. Click the orange banner on our homepage.