The Ingham County Office for Young Children promotes and improves the availability, affordability, and  accessibility of quality early education and child care for children in Ingham, Eaton, Clinton, and Shiawassee  counties.

THE VISION

The Office for Young Children’s vision for success is to make the following a reality in Ingham, Eaton, Clinton and Shiawassee counties:

• All child care providers are well trained and programs meet high quality standards.

• Quality early education/child care programs are available, accessible and inclusive.

• Families have the choice to select from a variety of affordable high quality early education/child care programs that respond to the diverse needs of children and families.

• Early childhood educators/child care providers respect the variety of children and families and their unique needs.

• The community at large understands the importance of creating, providing, and maintaining professional quality early education and child care services.

• The community demonstrates a commitment to professionalism by providing funding to early childhood programs and an adequate level of compensation for early childhood educators and child care providers.

• On an ongoing basis, all agencies and systems that work with children and families collaborate to ensure that services are well coordinated and supportive of all early childhood issues.

• The Office for Young Children is recognized throughout the community as the agency that promotes and improves the availability, affordability, and accessibility of quality early education and child care for children in Ingham, Eaton, Clinton, and Shiawassee counties.

OYC CORE VALUES

CREDIBILITY

OYC staff members offer a broad range of expertise, including knowledge of operating a quality child care program, child       development, early childhood education, child health, and parenting.  We are generous in sharing our knowledge with others,and open to new ideas and information that will expand our own and others’ understanding.  The credibility of OYC staff members is rooted in our shared passion for helping children, families, and child care providers thrive.

CREATIVE TEAMWORK

OYC staff members are dedicated to innovation and cooperative planning to improve the quality of service.  We explore new approaches and methods to develop trainings and other programs that will benefit child care providers and the community.  In the spirit of mutual support, we are consistently open to helping each other accomplish OYC goals.

COMMITMENT TO THE UNDERSERVED

OYC staff members are committed to meeting the needs of the most vulnerable populations.  We advocate with representatives of other service systems to assure that needed services are accessible.  We facilitate the resolution of challenging dynamics between providers, parents, and children.

RAPPORT BUILDING

OYC staff members strive to attain personal rapport with the parents and child care providers we serve.  Through a spirit of acceptance, compassion, and sensitivity to diverse needs, we build a strong, trusting relationship with these customers and thereby build their investment in ongoing improvement of their knowledge and skills.

FOCUS ON STRENGTHS

OYC staff members acknowledge, encourage and support the strengths of families and providers.  We build on strengths to improve the knowledge and skills needed to provide quality child care and early childhood education. 

WORK AND FAMILY LIFE

OYC staff members recognize the importance of balancing work and family life. We support and encourage both families and providers in working toward a healthy balance.

LEADERSHIP

OYC staff members provide leadership in the community by demonstrating each of the above values in our interactions with colleagues, child care providers and families served.