Interview Caregivers
Call and Ask....
· Are there any openings?
· What are the hours and days available?
· Where are you located?
· How many children are in your care and what are their ages?
· How much do you charge? Is child care subsidies available?
· Is transportation available? (especially for after school and before school programs)
· What, if any, meals are provided?
· What are your qualifications? ( licensing, accreditation, or other certification)
Visit Child Care Provider
What to look for....
· Caring, nurturing, and warm interactions between caregiver and children.
· Do children appear happy and content?
· Clean, safe, and healthy atmospheres, indoor and outdoor.
· Plenty of educational, developmentally appropriate toys, learning materials, etc. (blocks, books, crayons)
· Are children getting individual attention.
Find out....
· How provider disciplines children
· What do you do if a child is sick?
· What provider would do in case of an emergency?
· If all children and staff are required to be immunized?
· If provider has respite care, substitute care, and alternate care?
· If provider is aware of developmental stages of children?
Check References
Ask other parents about the provider....
. Compare provider responses with parent responses (i.e. Provider explains discipline method and parent confirms)
· Was provider unbiased and respectful to values/cultures other than their own?
· Would you recommend the caregiver without reservation?
· If your child is no longer with the caregiver, why did you leave?
Ask the local child care resource and referral program or licensing office....
· What regulations should child care providers meet in my area?
· Is there a record of complaints about the child care provider I am considering and how do I find out about it?
Make the Decision for Quality Care
. Does the provider seem able to meet my child's needs?
· Based on references and personal observation, is the provider sensitive, caring, nurturing, and able to promote intellectual and social growth within my child?
· Consider location, quality, affordability, and availability
· Do I feel good about my decision?
Once you decide on a child care provider, continue to observe provider.
· Daily conversations with a provider give a good indication on how arrangement is working for both the provider and the child
· Talk with your child. Are they content?
· Visit and observe child in child care (if possible). If not, observe your child's growth, behavior and maturity.
· Resolve conflicts as they arise.
These steps were created from several resources: Satellite Family Child Care and The Child Care Resource and Referral Program(800) 424-2246). For more complete guidelines on health and safety in child care, call the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care: (800) 598-KIDS (5437).
For additional information on choosing child care, contact 4-C: Community Coordinated Child Care.
Quality Family Child Care | Advantages of Family Child Care | Licensing and Accreditation | Child Care for Low-Income Families | Food Program | Parent and Provider Concerns |
