Step 1: Start Early
Start looking as far in advance as you can. No matter what type of care you are considering – a child care center or care in someone else’s home – finding the right child care option can take some time.
Step 2: Make a Call
Begin your search by calling your local experts – your Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency. CCR&Rs can give you the facts about child care, and a list of child care options in your area that may meet your needs. Make sure to ask your CCR&R:
– What are the licensing requirements in my area?
– How can I get information about complaints and licensing violations?
– Does my family qualify for any child care financial assistance programs?
Step 3: Visit and Ask Questions
Visit the child care options you are considering.
Find out about these key indicators of quality:
Adult to Child Ratio – Ask how many children there are for each adult. The fewer the children for each adult, the better for your child. You want your child to get plenty of attention. The younger your child, the more important this is. Babies need an adult to child ratio of no more than 1:4 (one adult for four infants), while four-year-olds can do well with a ratio of 1:10 (one adult for 10 children).
Group Size – Find out how many children are in the group. The smaller the group, the better. Imagine a group of 25 two-year olds with five adults, compared to a group of 10 with two adults. Both groups have the same adult to child ratio. Which would be calmer and safer? Which would be more like a family?
Caregiver Qualifications – Ask about the caregivers’ training and education. Caregivers with degrees and/or special training in working with children will be better able to help your child learn. Are the caregivers involved in activities to improve their skills?
Do they attend classes and workshops?
Turnover – Check how long caregivers have been at the center or providing care in their homes. It’s best if children stay with the same caregiver at least a year. Caregivers who come and go make it hard on your child. Getting used to new caregivers takes time and energy that could be spent learning new things.
Accreditation – Find out if the child care provider has been accredited by a national organization. Providers that are accredited have met voluntary standards for child care that are higher than most state licensing requirements.The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) are the two largest organizations that accredit child care programs.
Step 4: Make a Choice
Think about what you saw at each visit, and make the best choice for your child and family.
Step 5: Stay Involved
The work isn’t over when you find good care for your child. You and your child’s caregiver are partners now.
Here are some ways to be involved:
• Have parent-caregiver meetings regularly, and ask questions.
• Offer to volunteer time when needed, like participating in clean up days, fixing broken toys.
• Be there for your child’s birthday party.
• Visit your child at child care and read a book aloud.
• Join in special events, like field trips, Career Day, Black History Month, or other holidays.
Even if you can’t get time off from work during the day, you can still check in at drop-off and pick-up times. Ask the caregiver how things are going, and how your child is doing.
Visiting and participating in events at your child’s provider sends a strong message. It tells your child and your child’s caregiver that you think what your child is doing and learning is important.
Resources of Information on Early Childhood Care
There’s a lot of expertise out there with respect to early childhood settings and care, some specializing in disability issues and others not. Here is a mini-list of centers and groups to consult to learn more about all manner of things child-care.
Child Care resources
The USA.gov website can connect you with the Child Care Finder, child care licensure regulations (by state), the locator for Head Start programs, tips on childproofing your home, and tips on choosing child care for your baby or young child.
http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Parents-Care.shtml
Child Care Aware
http://www.childcareaware.org/
Healthy Kids, Healthy Care
This website was developed by the National Resource Center for Health in Child Care and Early Education.
http://healthykids.us/
National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education
This organization addresses the issues of safety and health in child care and early education settings.
http://nrckids.org/
National Network for Child Care
http://www.nncc.org/homepage.html
Office of Child Care
The Office of Child Care, a program of the Administration for Families and Children, supports low-income working families through child care financial assistance and promotes children’s learning by improving the quality of early care and education and afterschool programs.
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/
