Choosing child care

Choosing appropriate child care for your infant or young child can seem as overwhelming as helping your teenager select a college or university. As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that your child is safe and happy in a child care environment that is fun, educational, and nurturing. We have compiled relevant information to help you make such an important decision

How can I pick a child care facility

Here are some tips to guide you in choosing childcare:

Think about the kind of care that is best for your child. Some possibilities to consider are
(a) a relative;
(b) a day-care provider, usually someone who takes care of a small group of children in her own home;
(c) a childcare center, which generally offers a curriculum and staff with educational backgrounds in early childhood or toddler development; and
(d) a caregiver who comes to your home.
Decide which kind of childcare fits your budget.
Check with local agencies for listings of licensed childcare providers. Many communities have resource and referral agencies that can help you to identify the childcare programs that best meet your needs.
Start looking for childcare early, particularly if you have a special program for your child in mind. Some programs have long waiting lists.
Gather information. Whether you are looking for a day-care provider or for a caregiver to come into your home, interview the person at length and check references carefully. Before you meet with the person, develop a list of questions. If you are considering day-care centers, visit each one-more than once. Don't rely only on good reports about the center from other people. Centers that work well for other parents may not work well for you. As with any kind of childcare, check the center's references carefully.

What should I look for in care providers

No matter what kind of childcare you are considering, look for care providers who:

Are kind and responsive. Good care providers enjoy being with children, are energetic, patient and mature enough to handle crises and conflicts.
Have experience working with young children and like them. Find out how long the providers have worked with preschoolers, why they are in the child-care field and whether they provide activities that are appropriate for your child's age. Observe the providers with other children. Do the children seem happy? How do the providers respond to them?
Recognize the individual needs of children. Look for care providers who are considerate of different children's interests and needs and who can provide your child with enough attention.
Have a child-rearing philosophy that is similar to your own. Find out what kind of discipline the providers use and how they handle problems.

Be certain that the childcare facility is clean and safe. Check to see that it is full of equipment and materials that will allow your child to explore and learn, including plenty of books and separate areas of different kinds of activities. As a working mother or father, it is important to choose the correct care provider.

What are the positive characteristics to look out for when looking for a child care provider?

Low Child to Adult Ratios

The Licensing rules have established minimum child to adult ratios for child care centers. Programs which have fewer children per adult may be better able to provide for the physical, social-emotional, and cognitive needs of the children. For example, a high quality program may strive for ratios of 1 adult for every 2-3 infants or toddlers, or 1 adult for every 5-8 preschoolers.

Small Group Size

Group size is not addressed in State licensing standards for child care centers. NAEYC standards recommend a maximum group size of 6-8 infants, 6-12 toddlers, 10-20 preschoolers, and 20-24 young school age children. Within each age group, younger children should be in the smaller group size. For instance, 2 1/2 to 3 year olds are better off in a group of 10-14 children, while a group of 4 to 5 year olds may include 16-20 children. The American Public Health Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics have published guidelines for child care programs which have stricter group size limits: a maximum of 6 babies 0-24 months; 8-10 toddlers 24-36 months; and 14-16 children 3-5 years.

Staff Training

Research has shown that staff who are trained in kids development or early childhood education have a positive effect on children's social and cognitive development. Center and home providers may attend workshops, conferences, or inservice training; or may enroll in formal training such as college classes. The Office for Young Children offers basic and advanced child care provider training under grants from the Michigan Child Care Futures Project.

Positive Interactions

Young childrens development is enhanced when adults around them interact frequently with them in a positive, friendly, courteous manner. Positive adults tell children what they can do rather than what they can't do, and they treat all children equally regardless of race, religion, culture, or gender. Postive adults encourage children to gain developmentally appropriate independence and to learn self-help skills.

Stimulating Learning Environment

Children's development is enhanced by a learning environment that allows each child to make choices and gives plenty of opportunities for experiencing and exploring materials and ideas. Children should have opportunities for indoor and outdoor play, active and quiet play, large and small muscle play, directed and free choice play every day. Play materials should be neatly organized and stored where children can get them out and put them away. Look for a variety of toys for toddlers, such as books, building blocks, wheeled toys, puzzles, art supplies, and dress up clothes. There should be plenty of toys, materials and equipment so that children do not have to wait for long periods of time for a turn.

Parent Involvement

Parents should feel free to drop in anytime to see their children. Good programs also supply parents with written information, such as a policy handbook, and provide regular communication by way of daily conversations, newsletters, notes home, etc. Formal meetings may be scheduled at least once a year. Many centers and homes invite parents to participate in field trips, potlucks, fund raisers and other activities.

For more information on the Early Childhood Education Agency, click here.

Check out our Child Care Checklist

If you have child behaviour problems, our Toddler behavoiur tips may help

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