Tips for Choosing Quality Child Care

1---Start Early

Start looking as far in advance as you can. 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---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 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?

3 -- Visit and Ask Questions

Make sure you visit the child care options you are considering. Find out about these key indicators of quality:

4----Make a Choice

Think about what you saw at each visit, and make the best choice 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 be involved:

Have parent-caregiver meetings regularly, and ask questions

Be there for your child's birthday party.

Visit your child at child care and read a book aloud.

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

Join in special events, like field trips

Visiting and participating in events at your child's provider 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.

Miss Claudia's Childcare