Choosing Quality Child Care

Parents often ask me how to find quality child care. I have worked in many child care centers that offered a range of care. Some centers provided excellent care but others did not. 

In this blog post, I will share ideas of what you should look for and questions you may want to ask your potential child caregivers. The bottom line though is how you feel about the center and how your child reacts to the staff. Observe the center, ask questions and trust your instincts to help you make the right choice.

When choosing child care it is important to look at how the caregivers and staff interact with you and your children and whether the atmosphere is warm, friendly and welcoming. Look at the other children at the center and observe their actions. Do they appear happy and engaged in activities? Does the center seem to be a safe place or do you see scissors left on the table or an unfenced playground area?   Here are some questions you will want to answer through your observations or by asking the center or caregiver.

 

  • Am I welcome to visit mychild at any time?
  • Is my child made to feel welcome?
  • Are family members encouraged to participate in activities?
  • Is information about my child confidential?
  • Is the staff willing to update me on my child’s progress and activities?
  • Are families informed about any change in policy?
  • Is there a planned program of day to day activities for the children?
  • Am I encouraged to talk to staff or care givers about the program(s) offered?
  • Are the activities child appropriate and diverse?
  • Are there opportunities for my child to become familiar with the broader community?
  • Will my child have the opportunity for self-expression self-direction and self discipline?
  • Are there clear procedures for rasing any concerns that I have?
  • Is the equipment and play space safe for children?
  • Are meal times and snack times pleasant?
  • What is the procedure if a child needs medical attention?
  • What is the ratio of children to caregiver?

Check to make sure the center meets all governmental licensing requirements. This will vary from state to state in the U.S. In Australia, when visiting a child care service ask how they are meeting the requirements for quality assured care.  If the service is new and has not yet been through the accreditation process, the service will have a certificate of registration. If it has been through the accreditation process it will have a current certificate of accreditation. Ask to see it. Families, staff and visitors can request to see the Quality Profile Certificate.

I suggest that before you make a decision about putting your child in a center or with a day care provider that you spend time there. Drop by at different times of the day to see what happens. It is important for you to feel comfortable with the staff that will be caring for your child. If you are relaxed then your child is likely to be relaxed. Ask how many staff will be working in the room with your child.

Consider leaving your child in the room with the staff for a short period of time. It is important that you leave the child for small amounts of time to begin with, so they know that you are coming back. This will allow them to adjust. Most centers will accommodate this. Start with 30 minutes or so and gradually increase to 60 minutes and then longer. The child may be upset when you leave but will gradually get used to it. It is better that you leave and not hang around for too long. Get them settled with something that they like or with a staff member. If they have a comforter or favorite stuffed toy give them that.

It is hard to leave your child when they are crying but if you hang around you will make it worse. Call a short time later and see how your child is doing. At a good center, the staff will encourage you to do this or they might call you to let you how the child is doing.  The most important thing is to build up a good relationship with the staff and not to be afraid to talk to them if you feel anxious.

Taking time to choose a quality center for your child will give you peace of mind and will nurture your child helping them to develop and grow.

Good luck and happy hunting.

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