Tuesday, July 18, 2006
How to Choose a Child Care Facility...
Signs of a Good Child Care Facility...Choosing care for your child involves asking plenty of questions and being observant. Start your search about six months before you'll need childcare and use the following list of criteria as a guide. If you find a facility that scores a perfect ten, you've found childcare gold.
Of course, that goal is pretty lofty; so you'll have to decide what's most important to you and choose from among your best options.
Look for:
1. A good reputation
A good child care facility should have a welcoming, friendly atmosphere and nurturing environment. Ask for names and numbers of current clients and call them for references, or stop by during afternoon pickup time and approach some other parents then. Also, be mindful of your first impression: in this case it counts a lot.
Bottom line: Unless parents you like and respect rave about it, the facility is probably not one you'll like either.
2. Established ground rules
It's important for a center to be flexible — letting you pick up and drop off your child at different times, for instance — but it should also have clearly established regulations for everything from operating hours to how to handle emergencies. That way you know it takes its responsibility — your baby — seriously.
Along the same lines, look for a center with a strict sick-child policy. Find out which illnesses will keep your child home, and for how long. A tough policy may inconvenience you if your child is ill, but keeping sick children away from the other children makes sense and is the law in Minnesota.
If the facility neither has an open-door policy nor encourages parents to stop by unannounced, chances are it has something to hide. Keep looking. A great daycare center will go beyond merely letting you in and invite you to become part of the community by helping with activities, accompanying the children on field trips, and so on.
Bottom line: If a facility is poorly organized or has lax or nonexistent rules, it's not likely to be right for you.
3. A stimulating curriculum
The best child care facilities have structured schedules that include plenty of time for physical activity, quiet time (including daily reading sessions for groups and individuals), group programs, individual activities, meals, snacks, and free time. TV and videos should play little or no part in what your child does all day; if videos are part of the curriculum, make sure they're age-appropriate and, ideally, somewhat educational, teaching about animals, other cultures, and so on. A well-thought-out curriculum stimulates your child's development and makes daily life more fun.
Look for a center with a wide range of age-appropriate toys that will encourage your child's development and, as she gets older, stimulate creative, imaginative play.
If you have to bring your child's food, find out the facility's guidelines. Some may require you to pack only nutritious foods and that's okay. Facilities that don't restrict candy or other sweets may not have your child's best interests at heart.
Ideally the child care facility will have a food plan and be on the CACFP (Child anc Adult Care Food Program). Find out what is served at meal and snack times (and make sure the facility is aware of your child's food allergies, if any). Is healthy eating habits encouraged and cover all the food groups? If not, keep looking.
Bottom line: Your child needs a place that offers a regular curriculum with a range of age-appropriate activities.
4. A qualified, caring provider
Being trained and qualified provider is not just an advantage, it is a necessity. Providers don't always have specialized education or a background in early childhood development (though many states don't require this), and CPR and other emergency training. (In Minnesota, CPR and first aid training is required of licensed providers.) Choose those caregivers that have experience and/or knowledge to care for your children and that you are comfortabel with.
Note how the provider interacts with the children. Caregivers should be responsible, enthusiastic, and well prepared. Look for provider that shares your philosophies on sleep, discipline, feeding, and other care issues. Good caregivers will ask detailed questions about your child's health and care to help determine whether their facility is right for you.
Make sure your child will get the attention and care she needs. Group size will vary depending on licensed capacity. Ask what the facility's capacity is and decide whether it's okay for you.
Bottom line: If the provider doesn't seem up to snuff, and they seem overworked or unhappy, the facility isn't for you.
5. Clean, safe facilities
A good facoility is clean and sanitary. Floors, walks, walls, and the kitchen area should be clean, food preparation areas should be far from toilets and diaper changing stations, trash shouldn't be left sitting unemptied, and the building should be adequately heated, lit, and ventilated. Providers should wash their hands regularly, and after every diaper change. Look for plenty of space, too.
Make sure the provider follows the basic rules of safety. Toys and play equipment should be in good repair, upstairs windows (if any) should have screens or bars, all medicines and other hazardous substances should be out of reach, bedding should be fresh and firm (to reduce the risk of SIDS for babies), and the outdoor play area should be level and secure. Smoke detectors should be in place and working, radiators and heaters should be covered or otherwise protected, a first aid kit and fire extinguisher should be close at hand, and all standard childproofing techniques should be used (covered outlets, safety gates, door latches, etc.).
The facility should be secure, as well, so strangers can't just walk in off the street.
Look for a facility with an outdoor play area. Children should have the chance to play outside every day — running, jumping, and skipping are good for them physically, mentally, and socially. If you live in a city, where even the best facilities may not have enough space for a safe outdoor play yard, make sure there his spacious indoor area (the next best thing).
Bottom line:
Spot a safety hazard? A missed hand wash? Keep looking.
6. A current license
Ask to see a center's license and credentials, then double-check with a call to your local social services department. If possible, look for a facility that has also passed an accreditation process such as a CDA, CBTA, or other accreditation.
Facilities must also meet state licensing regulations for health and safety. Of course, a current license isn't a guarantee of quality care — that's why you have to evaluate the caregivers themselves, but it will give you a starting point and the basic requirements of care.
Bottom line: A license isn't everything, but if a provider doesn't have one, they're probably not for you.
So how do you stack up? Does your facility meet all these criteria? Are there areas that you can improve upon. The more you do to improve your quality of care, the more marketable your facility becomes! For more details on choosing a child care facility go to http://www.tkwconsulting.com/howtochoose.htm
Signs of a Good Child Care Facility...Choosing care for your child involves asking plenty of questions and being observant. Start your search about six months before you'll need childcare and use the following list of criteria as a guide. If you find a facility that scores a perfect ten, you've found childcare gold.
Of course, that goal is pretty lofty; so you'll have to decide what's most important to you and choose from among your best options.
Look for:
1. A good reputation
A good child care facility should have a welcoming, friendly atmosphere and nurturing environment. Ask for names and numbers of current clients and call them for references, or stop by during afternoon pickup time and approach some other parents then. Also, be mindful of your first impression: in this case it counts a lot.
Bottom line: Unless parents you like and respect rave about it, the facility is probably not one you'll like either.
2. Established ground rules
It's important for a center to be flexible — letting you pick up and drop off your child at different times, for instance — but it should also have clearly established regulations for everything from operating hours to how to handle emergencies. That way you know it takes its responsibility — your baby — seriously.
Along the same lines, look for a center with a strict sick-child policy. Find out which illnesses will keep your child home, and for how long. A tough policy may inconvenience you if your child is ill, but keeping sick children away from the other children makes sense and is the law in Minnesota.
If the facility neither has an open-door policy nor encourages parents to stop by unannounced, chances are it has something to hide. Keep looking. A great daycare center will go beyond merely letting you in and invite you to become part of the community by helping with activities, accompanying the children on field trips, and so on.
Bottom line: If a facility is poorly organized or has lax or nonexistent rules, it's not likely to be right for you.
3. A stimulating curriculum
The best child care facilities have structured schedules that include plenty of time for physical activity, quiet time (including daily reading sessions for groups and individuals), group programs, individual activities, meals, snacks, and free time. TV and videos should play little or no part in what your child does all day; if videos are part of the curriculum, make sure they're age-appropriate and, ideally, somewhat educational, teaching about animals, other cultures, and so on. A well-thought-out curriculum stimulates your child's development and makes daily life more fun.
Look for a center with a wide range of age-appropriate toys that will encourage your child's development and, as she gets older, stimulate creative, imaginative play.
If you have to bring your child's food, find out the facility's guidelines. Some may require you to pack only nutritious foods and that's okay. Facilities that don't restrict candy or other sweets may not have your child's best interests at heart.
Ideally the child care facility will have a food plan and be on the CACFP (Child anc Adult Care Food Program). Find out what is served at meal and snack times (and make sure the facility is aware of your child's food allergies, if any). Is healthy eating habits encouraged and cover all the food groups? If not, keep looking.
Bottom line: Your child needs a place that offers a regular curriculum with a range of age-appropriate activities.
4. A qualified, caring provider
Being trained and qualified provider is not just an advantage, it is a necessity. Providers don't always have specialized education or a background in early childhood development (though many states don't require this), and CPR and other emergency training. (In Minnesota, CPR and first aid training is required of licensed providers.) Choose those caregivers that have experience and/or knowledge to care for your children and that you are comfortabel with.
Note how the provider interacts with the children. Caregivers should be responsible, enthusiastic, and well prepared. Look for provider that shares your philosophies on sleep, discipline, feeding, and other care issues. Good caregivers will ask detailed questions about your child's health and care to help determine whether their facility is right for you.
Make sure your child will get the attention and care she needs. Group size will vary depending on licensed capacity. Ask what the facility's capacity is and decide whether it's okay for you.
Bottom line: If the provider doesn't seem up to snuff, and they seem overworked or unhappy, the facility isn't for you.
5. Clean, safe facilities
A good facoility is clean and sanitary. Floors, walks, walls, and the kitchen area should be clean, food preparation areas should be far from toilets and diaper changing stations, trash shouldn't be left sitting unemptied, and the building should be adequately heated, lit, and ventilated. Providers should wash their hands regularly, and after every diaper change. Look for plenty of space, too.
Make sure the provider follows the basic rules of safety. Toys and play equipment should be in good repair, upstairs windows (if any) should have screens or bars, all medicines and other hazardous substances should be out of reach, bedding should be fresh and firm (to reduce the risk of SIDS for babies), and the outdoor play area should be level and secure. Smoke detectors should be in place and working, radiators and heaters should be covered or otherwise protected, a first aid kit and fire extinguisher should be close at hand, and all standard childproofing techniques should be used (covered outlets, safety gates, door latches, etc.).
The facility should be secure, as well, so strangers can't just walk in off the street.
Look for a facility with an outdoor play area. Children should have the chance to play outside every day — running, jumping, and skipping are good for them physically, mentally, and socially. If you live in a city, where even the best facilities may not have enough space for a safe outdoor play yard, make sure there his spacious indoor area (the next best thing).
Bottom line:
Spot a safety hazard? A missed hand wash? Keep looking.
6. A current license
Ask to see a center's license and credentials, then double-check with a call to your local social services department. If possible, look for a facility that has also passed an accreditation process such as a CDA, CBTA, or other accreditation.
Facilities must also meet state licensing regulations for health and safety. Of course, a current license isn't a guarantee of quality care — that's why you have to evaluate the caregivers themselves, but it will give you a starting point and the basic requirements of care.
Bottom line: A license isn't everything, but if a provider doesn't have one, they're probably not for you.
So how do you stack up? Does your facility meet all these criteria? Are there areas that you can improve upon. The more you do to improve your quality of care, the more marketable your facility becomes! For more details on choosing a child care facility go to http://www.tkwconsulting.com/howtochoose.htm
// posted by Tammy Wachter @ 4:06 PM 
