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Choosing the child care that is right for you

Today, 62% of mothers return to work within their child’s first three to five months of life.  These months are crucial in your child’s mental, emotional, and physical development, so it is important to find the best child care possible for your child.  It is hard to leave your child in someone else’s care, but there are ways to make sure that your child will be safe and loved while you are gone.  Choosing a child care facility is an arduous task, and one that should not be taken lightly.  Visit several different types of facilities, and visit each place more than once.  Go with your gut feeling—if you don’t feel good about the place, there is probably a reason.  Do the kids look happy?  Are there lots of appropriate playthings and safe spaces to run around?  What is the background of the teacher?  Here is a checklist you can use to help you make the decision.

Child care checklist:

• When you visit, is your first impression a good one?  Does it look like a clean, safe, and comfortable environment for your child?
  
• Do the kids playing sound like they are having fun?
  
• Do the teachers enjoy being with the kids? 
  
• Do the teachers treat the children appropriately?
  
• Do you approve of the facility’s use of discipline, and do you agree with their rules for children?
  
• Are there enough teachers for the number of children?  Will your child get enough individual attention? 
  
• What is the group size?
  
• Are you encouraged to visit, and will they keep you informed about your child?
  
• Does the staff meet the needs of the children quickly?
  
• What is the background of your child’s teacher?  Does the teacher have a fair amount of child care experience?
  
• Are there plenty of safe and age-appropriate toys for your child to play with?
  
• Is it a physically safe place for your child?
  
  
  • Do the cribs meet current national safety standards?
    
  • Are the crib slats no more than 2 3/8ths inches apart?
    
  • Do the crib mattresses fit correctly?
    
  • Is the playground safe?  Is there a soft landing surfacing for falls or slips from the equipment?  Is the equipment age-appropriate and in good condition?
    
    
• Is the facility accredited?
  
  

For more help in choosing a child care, and to find listings of accredited facilities near you, visit these web sites:

Child Care Aware, the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, provides information on everything from different types of available child care, to why parents choose certain kinds, to links to find out if your facility has been accredited.

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care is a study on how variations in child care affect children’s development and the relationship you have with your child. This study may help you choose the child care most appropriate for your child.

Choosing Child Care, from the Nemours Foundation Kids Health web site, offers information on positive parenting, including tips on how to choose the child care that is right for your child and you.