10 Characteristics of Qualtiy Child Care

Child Care Choices

Child Care Services differ in size and style as much as families do.
Think about your own style of child rearing.
Consider what is most important to you.
Careful and thorough preparation will save precious time.

Questions to ask ALL types of child care:

• How many children are in the program?
• What are the ages of the children?
• How many children are there per adult?
• May I contact a parent for references?
• Please describe a typical day.
• How will we communicate about my child? How often?
• Can I visit unannounced?
• How do you handle a medical emergency?
• How do you handle a child who is crying, when they break the rules or takes something from another child?
• Tell me about your experience and educational training.
• What are your staff requirements?
• Is someone on the staff CPR and First Aid Certified?
• What precautions are taken when children are taken off site? Seat belts? Car seats? Drivers?
• Who else is in your home during the day? How are they related? May I meet them?
• Why did you become a child care provider?
• Do you have pets? How much television is watched each day and what is the content?
• Is smoking permitted in your home?

Things to look for when you visit:

• Is the facility cheerful? Appealing? Clean?
• Do care givers hug children when they need comfort?
• Do care givers pay individual attention to children?
• Do they speak with children eye level?
• Do they participate in play?
• Do they seem to enjoy children?
• Is there a variety of age appropriate toys, books and equipment?
• Do children seem happy? Enthusiastic? Relaxed?
• Are children actively engaged?
• Is there sufficient outdoor space and equipment?

Questions to ask yourself:

• Am I comfortable with the caregiver? Program? Facility?
• Do I trust this person to care for my child?
• Do the rules seem reasonable and clear?
• Am I happy with the type and variety of activities?
• Am I satisfied with the references?
• If I were a child, would I enjoy spending time here

How to make your decision:

Arrange a visit for your child with the care giver on a day you can spend some quality time together. Talk about your visit and what the new arrangement will be like. If possible, plan several short visits before your child begins regular attendance or agree to a trial period of one or two weeks to further evaluate your selection.

1. Now that you’ve thought about your specific needs and priorities and have had a chance to consider the different child care options, you’re ready to investigate services.
2. First, call and verify that the service is potentially good for you. Is there an opening for your child? Do the hours of operation meet your needs?
3. Having received enough information to proceed, make an appointment to visit without your child. You’ll want to spend enough time to get to know the care giver as well as the program staff, if any.
4. Remember, a referral is NOT a recommendation. No one knows your family as well as you do. What’s good for one family is not necessarily good for yours.
5. Ask for references. Speak with at least two parents whose children are enrolled in the program and ask about their satisfaction as well as your specific concerns.
6. Once you have selected an arrangement for your family, your next step is to prepare your child and your self for this new experience. Don’t expect it to be easy; do expect a few bumps.
7. If your children take any medication, or get sick and they need to take medication while at day care please discuss with your provider if they have taken the Medication Administration Training