Selecting Child Care Providers - CHAPTER TWO - WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW Part 5

Health & Safety

Are the staff trained in infant and child CPR and Emergency First Aid?

Have staff been required to have a physical and an updated TB test?

Have you observed the staff practicing good hand washing skills?

Are specific areas set aside for diaper changes? Are they cleaned after every use?

Are sinks easily accessible for the children to use and are they encouraged to practice good hand washing skills?

Are emergency procedures posted? Fire? Tornado? Flood? Earthquake?

Are fire drills practiced?

Are smoke detectors and fire extinguishers visible?

Are first aid supplies easily accessible?

Are emergency telephone numbers posted? Fire? Police? Poison Control?

Are unused outlets covered?

Are cabinets that hold dangerous items locked?

Are balanced meals served? Are they age appropriate?

Do children have access to drinking water?

Are there pets? Do the pets comply with local health regulations? Shots updated?

Physical Environment

Is the facility clean? Uncluttered?

Is the environment bright and cheerful?

Is there plenty of room for indoor and outdoor play?

Are there designated places for various activities such as quiet time, active play, meal time?

Emotional Environment

Do the other children seem happy and well adjusted?

Do the children interact well with each other?

Are babies held during meal time?

Does the staff interact with the children appropriately?

Does the staff listen and talk positively with the children?

Does the staff get down on the same level with the children when interacting?

Does the staff interact individually with the children?

Educational Environment

Is there a TV? How much time do the children spend watching it? What programs are watched?

What types of toys are available? Are they age appropriate? Are they cleaned regularly? If so, how?

Are books available? Are they age appropriate?

Can children get books and toys themselves?

Is there a mixture of planned activities and free time? Are planned activities age appropriate?

Are children encouraged to choose activities themselves?

Will staff assist parents in toilet training?

Parent Involvement

Can parents visit unannounced?

Are written reports provided daily on the child's activities?

Are parent's encouraged to participate in special activities? (i.e. Holiday parties, field trips, etc.)

Choosing other Child Care Programs or Facilities:

Contact the state Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division; Child Care Information and Referral Services, or other child care agencies to find out whether the program is reputable and if any complaints have been made in the past.

Talk to other parents who use the program -- ask questions about the teachers (credentials, personalities, responsiveness to parents' concerns), caretakers, facility (cleanliness, safety measures etc.) and programs offered.

Find out if you have the right to drop in and visit the facility at any time.

Ask if the school or center welcomes parental participation. Be alert to the degree of openness and attitude about your participation.

Check policies regarding absences. As a safety measure, some schools will notify parents if their children are not in school.

Never give an organization blanket permission to take your child off the premises -- make sure you are informed about every outing.

Prohibit, in writing, the release of your child to anyone without your authorization. Notify the program of who will pick up your child. Check to see if the school or program verifies phones calls stating anyone other than a designated person will be picking up your child (by calling you back at your listed number.)

The Fine Print

Once you have hired a caregiver or care center it is important to outline everything you expect them to do such as duties to be performed, amount of hours you require them for, salary, paid vacations, and sick leave. Also include parental obligations such as pay days, transportation, provide necessary emergency information, etc.

You should establish a review date within a few months, where you can sit down with the caregiver or care provider facility and express any concerns, further arrangements, things you like about their work ethic and how well they interact and care for your child. You can also use this time to fine-tune the agreement and add or delete any other special arrangements.

This review will also be used to determine if you no longer wish to employ this particular caregiver or facility. If you choose this route, ensure that you have alternate childcare established so this won’t cause a problem. It’s also important to let the caregiver or facilitator know exactly why you don’t require their services any longer. Sometimes it could be due to your changing situation and not their performance.

Back to index - back to parenting articles - back to parenting main page - back to career builders