5 Steps to Finding Quality Child Care

birdseedgirl: Quality Child Care!

Is child care something you need?

Then this brief guide might help. Especially if you're looking for the one thing that matters most in child care - QUALITY. Quality child care makes a big difference in the future of your child, your community, even the world. By choosing quality care now, you give your child a head start on a strong mind, body and spirit plus a better chance to become a more productive adult. So take your time in choosing child care. Compare your choices. Ask plenty of questions. Here are some general points about choosing quality child care.

Choice not Chance, a Child Care Guide for Parents, provides a more detailed list of points to consider when searching for quality child care resources.

5 Steps to Finding Child Care

1. Look

Begin by visiting several child care homes or centers. On each visit, think about your first impressions. Does the place look safe for your child? Do the caregivers/teachers enjoy talking and playing with children? Do they talk with each child at the child's eye level? Are there plenty of toys and learning materials within a child's reach? Visit the home or center more than once. And stay as long a possible to get a good feel for what the care will be like for your child. Even after you start using the child care, continue to come back and check it out.

2. Listen

What does the child care setting sound like? Do the children sound happy and involved? What about the teachers' voices? Do they seem cheerful and patient? A place that's too quiet may mean not enough activity. A place that's too noisy may mean there is a lack of control.

3. Count

Count the number of children in the group. Then count the number of staff members caring for them. Obviously, the fewer the number of children for each adult, the more attention your child will get. A small number of children per adult is most important for babies and younger children.

4. Ask

It's very important that the adults who care for your children have the knowledge and experience to give them the attention they need. Ask about the background and experience of all staff: the program director, caregivers, teachers and any other adults who will have contact with your child in the home or center. Find out about the special training each one has and whether the program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) or the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC). Quality care providers and teachers will be happy to have you ask these questions. Find out what accreditation means for you and your child.

5. Be Informed

Find out more about efforts in your community to improve the quality of child care. Is your caregiver involved in these activities? How can you get involved? For more information, contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency. Or call Child Care Aware at 1-800-424-2246.

For more detailed information about good ways to measure the quality of a child care home or center, take a look at Choice not Chance, a Child Care Guide for Parents.
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