CHILD CARE RESOURCES

Child Care Resources

Child care?....the question alone is one of the most important decisions facing working couples/singles today. I have operated a licensed child care home for the past 18 years and field questions from parents daily as to how to locate quality child care. Our children deserve to be loved, educated with age-appropriate materials, and nurtured to their full potential in the absence of parents.

The options in child care are often overwhelming...especially for parents who are seeking their first child care arrangement.
There are family child care homes, child care centers, educationally based homes and centers, preschool-only programs, mom's/dad's day out programs....the list goes on and on. In consulting with parents, it is necessary to look at the overall family situation when searching for quality care. What is the age of the infant/child? Are there siblings who would also need care in the same environment? What are the work hours/job demands for the parents....how much flexibility do you need weekly concerning times you need to drop off/pick up your child?
Once some basic information is garnered is it much easier to assess what child care arrangement the family would be best suited and satisfied in. Child care should fit the needs not only of the child, but of the family as well.

When parents have chosen which type of childcare would best fit their family's needs, the HARD work in finding the RIGHT one can begin. Most states in the USA have Child Care Resource and Referral Networks. Usually for a minimal fee they will supply a list of available, licensed facilities that you may contact on your own. Unfortunately, just because a facility may be licensed by a particular agency/state...it does not guarantee parents that a quality program exists. There are personal child care consultants who have visited homes/centers and are able to offer a more detailed analysis for parents needing assistance/advice.

After you have narrowed your search to several appropriate and possible options parents should phone the caregiver/center/school and ask to schedule a personal interview.
There are several questions you should have written down BEFORE you visit:

1. Is the site licensed and accredited by the state/other
agency? What is the total capacity and the
ratio of staff to children? What educational
requirements and on-going training are requested
of staff members? Is a director available to supervise
staff members at all times?

2. Since wages are low for childcare workers, especially
in childcare centers, parents need to ask about turn-
over rate for staff members. Quality care cannot
be attained without dedicated caregivers. Ask the
director and several staff members WHY they choose to
work with children...if they have to think long and
hard....it probably isn't a situation parents desire.

3. Ask for a verbal 'review' of what a typical day would
be like for your child. Children flourish with a
'routine' they can count on. Activities will change,
but the course of the daily schedule should be
consistent. Ask about requirements for daily lesson
planning/activities...who is responsible for or do
caregivers just 'wing-it' daily in hopes they can
come up with age appropriate activities. Is there a
monthly calendar of meal/activities available for
parent review?

4. Check the environment...clean and sanitary are
important, but look at the materials available
for the children to use. Are the children playing
and being engaged in activity while you are visiting?
Where do the children nap/rest...are naps required
all children? For an infant...do the cribs/port-a-
cribs meet current safety guidelines?

5. Parent payments, policies, vacations....does the
center or home have a contract available for parents?
What records are necessary for each child? How do
they handle emergencies/sickness/tornado-fire drills?

6. Does the director have questions for you as prospective
parents? Do they communicate with you and
your child effectively while you are there? Do you
get a sense that they are honest, caring, fair? Take
a moment to just listen to other staff members interact
with their children. You may wish to leave your child
at home for the initial interview and return with
children for a second visit. Call ahead for the initial
interview, but the second visit should be unannounced.

7. Lastly, after you do the initial interview, the second
visit with your child....return again unannounced at
'busy' times and see how the caregivers are handling
the 'stress' of the day. Busy times are drop-off
times between 7 and 8am, lunch times between 11 and
1230am, and after-nap times between 230 and 400pm. If
parents have done all three visits and still have
that internal feeling that children are being loved and
safely cared for, the situation will most likely be
a wonderful experience for your child and your family.

If you have additional questions concerning quality childcare for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, or school-age children, please email by clicking the contact link on the top left of this page. Our hope is that each and every child be given the love and care necessary to develop their potential. Best wishes to you and yours!

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