Recognizing Quality Care

Every family wants the best care for their children. Quality child care 
combines interested and caring adults with irresistible developmentally 
appropriate classrooms. The results are happy children and satisfied 
parents.  When you are looking for a quality child care program it's best 
to give yourself the time to visit several centers so you can compare and 
pick the one that works for you and your child.


Follow the "4 Cs" formula to select a program :

 ¥ Contact  ¥ Check¥ Count  ¥ Compare

Contact parents of other children. Ask them for the names of child care 
programs they could recommend. Visit the programs. Talk to the Director 
and providers who care for children who are your child's age.  Get a 
copy of your state's licensing requirements.  

Check to see if the staff are good communicators. Do they appear to be 
up to date in their approach to child development. When you visit the 
classrooms, observe whether the providers seem knowledgeable about how 
to manage and relate to groups of children.  Are they matching activities 
to a children's apparent interests and skills ? Do classroom environments 
promote child participation and success?

Count the number of children assigned to one provider. The National 
Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) suggests the 
following ratios of adults to children: 

for infants:				1 adult for every  4 children
for toddlers 12 to 24 months:	 	1 adult for every 5 children
for older toddlers 25 to 36 months:	1 adult for every 6 children
for preschoolers:			1 adult for every 9 children

Most states have child care center licensing requirements which include 
adult:children ratio requirements.  Your state may be more liberal in 
what it allows.

Compare the interactions between staff and children in each center you 
visit. Observe whether the classrooms appear clean and safe. Are 
environments orderly? Are rules about handwashing and infection control 
posted? Are children able to move around safely with minimal risk of 
accident or injury?


Do children appear to be at home? Is the atmosphere in the classroom 
warm and nurturing? Are the children enjoying their contacts with the 
adults and other children? Are activities set-up to build children's 
self confidence through developmentally appropriate play?


There are many factors to selecting the right environment for your child.
Use the checklist below to help you gather your information so you 
can more easily compare centers.  Make sure you call a center and make 
an appointment to visit rather than just show-up unannounced.
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Child Care Center Checklist

Name of Center:						Phone Number:
Address of Center:


Hours center is open:				Does this fit your schedule?

Ages of children the center serves:

Maximum number of children the center holds:

Adult: child ratios for your child's age group:

Fees:							Can you afford this?

Observation at the Center

Were you greeted appropriately?
		
Did someone tour the center with you and answer your questions?

What was your first impression of the classroom where your child might 
be placed?

Did the teachers and other staff acknowledge you?  

Did they ask about your child?

If your child were with you -- how did they relate to your child?

What was going on in the classrooms?  Were children given choices of
what they could do, or was everyone expected to do the same thing at 
the same time?

Were the teaching staff involved with the children or with other adults?

Were the classrooms clean and organized?

Did the children appear happy and involved or did they run to you for 
attention?

Is there an outdoor play area that is used and is safe?  Is the 
equipment appropriate for the ages of the children?

Pick-up a parent handbook and read through it  -- what's your 
impression?


Other Notes/Comments





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