January 6, 2020
Media Contacts:
Mark Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
Debbie Yare, Howard County Office of Children and Families, 410-313-1943
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County’s Department of Community Resources and Services will host its annual Preschool/Child Care Information Fair on Saturday, February 1 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Ten Oaks Ballroom, 5000 Signal Bell Lane in Clarksville. Admission is free; however, attendees are asked to bring nonperishable food items or an unopened pack of diapers to donate to the Howard County Food Bank.
"As parents, we want to make the best decisions for our children and prepare them to be ready and successful students. This is a great opportunity for Howard County parents to learn more about child care options and set our youngest residents on a path for positive development," said County Executive Calvin Ball. "I encourage all parents and guardians to take advantage of this "one stop shop" to interact with local providers."
Coordinated by the Department’s Office of Children and Families (OCF), the Fair provides parents, guardians, grandparents and child care personnel with a “one stop shop” for information on child care, pre-school and summer programs, as well as the opportunity for personal contact with teachers and program directors.
Representatives from community service organizations that offer programs and services to Howard County’s young children will be on hand to provide information to interested parents. Attendees will also have the opportunity to attend free informational sessions on “How to Choose an Early Childhood Program” offered at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. by OCF’s Parents as Teacher’s Program.
The new 2020 Parent’s Guide to Howard County will be distributed at the event free of charge. For more information about the Fair, contact OCF at 410-313-1940 (voice/relay) or email children@howardcountymd.gov. To request a sign language interpreter or other accommodations to attend, call OCF one week in advance.