How to Choose Quality Child Care
To choose quality child care ask the following questions.
Are there opportunities . . .
To play quietly and actively, indoors and out?
To follow a schedule that meets young children's need for routine, but that is flexible enough to meet the needs of each child?
That help children learn new physical skills and control and exercise their muscles?
To learn to get along, and to share and respect themselves and others?
To crawl and explore safely?
To play with objects and toys that help infants to develop their senses of touch, sight, and hearing?
To take part in a variety of activities that are suited to toddlers' short attention span?
To play alone at times and with friends at other times?
To provide activities that encourage childrean to think things through?
What to ask . . .
What are your hours?
How long have you been providing child care?
Are you licensed/certified/registered?
How many children do you care for? What are their ages?
What is your vacation and illness policy?
What are your fees?
Do you participate in a food program?
What kinds of training or experience do you have?
What is your policy for giving medicine?
Do you smoke?
Do you have pets?
What are your discipline policies?
Please tell me what a typical day might be like for my child?
How do you handle emergencies?
Do you carry liability insurance?
Are children ever transported in a vehicle while in your care? If so, do you have a valid driver's license and how is your driving record?
Do you transport children in car seats?
Can parents "drop by" for a visit anytime?
What kind of feedback will you provide about my child at the end of each day?
What do you what to know about me and/or my partner and child?
Can you provide me with a list of references?
Does the Child Care Provider . . .
Appear warm and friendly?
Seem calm and gentle?
Seems to feel good about herself and her job?
Have child-rearing attitudes and methods that are similar to yours?
Understand what children can and what to do at different stages of growth?
Encourage children to express themselves in creative ways?
Encourage good health habits?
Spend time holding, playing with, and talking to the babies?
Provide stimulation by pointing out things to look at, touch, and listen to?
Seem to have enough time to look after all the children under her care?
Provide care you can count on?
Does the Setting have . . .
An up-to-date license?
A clean and comfortable look?
Enough space indoors and out, so all the children can move freely and safely?
Enough care providers for the number of children?
Furniture, equipment, and materials that are suitable for the ages of the children? Are they safe and in good repair?
An outdoor play area that is safe, fenced, and free of litter?
Nutritious meals and snacks with the kinds of food you want your child to eat?
A clean and safe place to change diapers?
Separate cribs and sheets for each baby in care?
Gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs?
A potty chair or special toilet seat in the bathroom?
For more information about how to choose child care or other child care questions, please visit the CCRC lending library at www.ccrclendinglibrary.freeservers.com.