text, supra. In addition, because a finding of reasonable efforts is a prerequisite to a finding of unfitness when such a showing is required by statute, see In re Brianna D., 798 A.2d at 415, absent a finding of reasonable efforts, the balance of inquiry does not yet shift to the “best interests of the child.” See In re Nicole B., 703 A.2d at 615. As a result, the trial justice inappropriately conditioned his finding of reasonable efforts, and thus his determination of unfitness, on “the urgent need of [the] children for permanency in their fives.” Although we have observed that this is an important consideration in determining the best interests of a child, see In re Brianna D., 798 A.2d at 415, such an inquiry is inappropriate before a finding of parental unfitness occurs. See id. (<HOLDING>). This Court has provided guidelines for what
recognizing this substantial interest in context of termination of parental rights holding parental rights are constitutionally protected fundamental interest holding that in considering a petition to terminate parental rights the first step is therefore a finding of parental unfitness    the next step is to consider the best interest of the child which willthen outweigh all other considerations  holding that due process allows parental rights to be terminated only upon clear and convincing evidence of unfitness holding that a childs preference regarding parental contact is not determinative of the best interest analysis and that a court must assess a childs best interest in light of all statutory factors