Choosing Child Care
High quality child care offers a safe place for your child, has a positive effect on your child’s early
development, and sets the foundation for positive relationships and a lifetime of learning. There are no set rules for choosing child care. It is a personal decision based on a family’s unique needs. What is right for one may not be the best choice for another. A successful early care experience is one in which there is a partnership between the caregiver and the parent. When searching for child care you should:
- • Visit several child care programs.
- • Spend time to observe the program with children present.
- • Ask questions about the program and the caregivers.
- • Ask for references from former clients.
- • Trust your own judgment.
- • Call Community Care licensing at 888-LET-USNO (888-538-8766) Ask to review complaint history and license status for center or family child care provider before placing your child in care.
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• Do you have a license? • Do you have any openings? • How many children attend this center/home? • What is the adult: child ratio? • What qualifications, experience, and training does staff have? First Aid? CPR? Special Needs? • How long has the staff worked for the program? • What is the child development philosophy of your program? • Do you have a contract or parent handbook that describes rules, fees, policies, illness and vacations? • What are the rules about visiting the program? • What forms of discipline do you use? • What would a typical day be like for my child? (routines) • What kind of meals and snacks are served?Do you participate in a food program? • How do you encourage parents and families to get involved in the program? • How do you keep parents up-to-date and involved in their child’s development and the program activities? • How much TV/computer/video time is included in the daily schedule? • Can you give me the names of two or three parents to call for references? |
• Caregivers who are at ease with children and parents. They are warm, loving, and properly trained. • Happy, respected, well cared for children. • A clean, safe, and comfortable atmosphere. • A child-centered environment that allows children to make choices, to explore and learn through play. • Space for outdoor play and exercise. • Space for quiet play and naps. • Toilet area accessible and easy for children to use. • A variety of toys, equipment and books in good condition, and appropriate to the ages of children in care. • Appropriate methods of discipline are used. Physical or verbal punishment of any kind is against the law. • Medicines, cleaning products and other dangerous objects are out of reach. • Appropriate group size and adult: child ratios. • Staff includes all children and encourages positive interactions. • The program understands and respects diversity. • Children are visually supervised at all times. • Staff encourages and practices good hygiene. • Posted emergency evacuation plans. |
The keys to Quality Child Care
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Child Care OptionsFamily Child Care
A licensed family child care home provides care and education in a family-like setting. Providers must have 15 hours of health and safety training and pass a background clearance. Providers are licensed for 8 or 14 children and must adhere to specified staffing ratios. Please call 4Cs to inquire about adult: child ratios in a family child care home. Child Care Centers
Child care centers are licensed to care for groups of 12 or more children in a school-like setting. Center staff is required to take college level child development courses and pass a background clearance. Centers must meet building, fire and zoning codes. Child care centers maintain the following teacher: child ratios: License-Exempt Care
Providers who are exempt from state licensure include the following: |
4Cs Resource and Referral Provides:Free child care referrals to licensed and some license-exempt centers. |