5 Steps to Choosing Quality Care

1. Start Early - Start looking as far in advance as possible, even before your baby is born. No matter what type of care you are considering - a child care center or care in someone else's home - finding the right child care option can take some time.

2. Call Resource and Referral - To learn about some of the child care options in your area, call Child Care Resource and Referral of the Upstate, SC at 877-467-4800 or visit http://www.childcarehelpline.org/.
Make sure to ask:

• What are the child care options in my area?
• What are the licensing requirements in my area?
• How can I get information about complaints and licensing violations?
• Are there child care financial assistance programs for which my family may qualify?
• Are there any nationally accredited child care centers in my area?

3. Visit and Ask Questions - Visit the child care options you are considering. Find out about these key indicators of quality:

Adult-to-Child Ratio: Ask how many children there are for each adult. The fewer the children for each adult, the better for your child. You want your child to get plenty of attention. The younger your child, the more important this is. Babies need an adult-to-child ratio of no more than 1:4 (one adult for four infants); while four-year-olds can do well with a ratio of 1:10 (one adult for ten children).

Group Size: Find out how many children are in the group. The smaller the group, the better. Imagine a group of 25 two-year olds with five adults, compared to a group of 10 two-year olds with two adults. Both groups have the same adult to child ratio. Which would be calmer and safer? Which would be more like a family?

Caregiver Qualifications: Ask about the caregivers' training and education. Caregivers with degrees and/or special training in working with children will be better able to help your child learn. Are the caregivers involved in activities to improve their skills? Do they regularly attend classes and workshops?

Turnover: Check how long caregivers have been at the center or providing care in their homes. It's best if children stay with the same caregiver for at least one year. Caregivers who come and go make it hard on your child. Getting used to new caregivers takes time and energy that could be spent on learning new things.

Accreditation: Find out if the child care provider has been accredited by a national organization. Accredited providers have met voluntary standards for child care that are higher than most state licensing requirements. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) are the two largest organizations that accredit child care programs.

For more information about the kinds of things to consider, check out the Parent Guide Book developed by the Trident United Way in Charleston, SC.

4. Make a Choice - After visiting several child care options, make the choice that is best for your child and family.

5. Stay Involved - The work isn't over when you find good care for your child. You and your child's caregiver are partners now.

Here are some ways to stay involved:

• Have parent-caregiver meetings regularly, and ask questions.
• Offer to volunteer time when needed, like participating in clean-up days, fixing broken toys, etc.
• Be there for your child's birthday party.
• Visit your child at child care and read a book aloud.
• Join in special events, like field trips, Career Day, or other holidays.

Even if you can't get time off from work during the day, you can still check in at drop-off and pick-up times. Ask the caregiver how things are going, and how your child is doing.
Visiting and participating in events at your child's child care sends a strong message. It tells your child and your child's caregiver that you think what your child is doing and learning is important.

Contributing Authors - Carolyn Gibson and Barbara Manoski, Spartanburg County First Steps


NOTE: This post is intended as information only. It is NOT the intention of this blog or the people or organizations posting on it or hosting it to replace medical or other healthcare advice, common sense, or good judgment but to serve as one resource for helping Spartanburg County parents make informed decisions about their young children.