our vision
To be the foremost leading organization supporting children’s success by empowering families, partners and the community.
our mission
APPLES for Children, Inc. (the Alliance for Parent, Provider, and Local Employer Solutions) is a dynamic community resource and referral agency dedicated to helping young children, their families, and the child care providers that serve them. We believe that every child deserves access to high-quality early learning experiences, and we work to ensure that families have access to affordable, quality child care and early education programs. Our team is made up of passionate professionals who are committed to improving the lives of children and families in our community.
our history
APPLES for Children, Inc. (the Alliance for Parent, Provider, and Local Employer Solutions) began as the Western Maryland Child Care Resource Center (WMCCRC) in 1991, serving Garrett, Allegany, and Washington Counties. Managed by Head Start of Washington County, WMCCRC was one of three pilot child care resource centers across Maryland.
In 2002, APPLES for Children became an independent, not-for-profit organization, when Head Start of Washington County began offering full day, full year services for children (recognized as a conflict of interest). Today, with over 30 years of service to the early childhood community, we continue to help early care and education programs to provide safe, nurturing and educational environments.
we work to
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Improve the quality of care and education by providing information and education materials that help families identify, select, and secure child care the best meets their individual needs.
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Promote professional knowledge and skills through professional development, resources and technical assistance.
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Increase family and community awareness by ensuring that information is available to make informed decisions about all aspects of care for children.