| Child care is more than a service that allows | | | | child. Continue to visit even after you start using |
| parents to work. It is a world that is bound to | | | | the home or center. |
| affect a child's development in many ways – | | | | • Listen. Make sure the place is cheerful and |
| physically, emotionally, intellectually, and socially. | | | | not too quiet, which can mean not enough |
| According to the U.S Department of Health and | | | | activity. Happy-sounding children mean they are |
| Human Services, finding quality child care that is | | | | involved and busy. |
| affordable can be challenging. Many parents need | | | | • Count. Count the number of children in the |
| inexpensive or cost-free day care where they | | | | group and the number of staff members caring |
| know their children are safe and are being helped | | | | for them. The fewer the number of children for |
| to grow and develop. Parents can now contact | | | | each staff member, the more attention your child |
| their local social service agency (listed in the phone | | | | will get. |
| book) for information about | | | | • Ask. Adults who care for children need |
| government-sponsored programs such as Head | | | | knowledge and experience. Ask about the |
| Start and Early Head Start and other community | | | | background and experience of all staff that will |
| programs. | | | | have contact with your child in the home or |
| The National Women's Health Information Center | | | | center. |
| (NWHIC) also recommends taking the following | | | | • Be Informed. Find out more about efforts in |
| steps to choosing quality child care. | | | | your community to improve the quality of child |
| Steps to Choosing Quality Child Care: | | | | care. Ask if the home or center is involved in |
| • Look. Visit several child care homes or | | | | these activities. Consider getting involved you. |
| centers. Visit the home or center more than once | | | | For more information about Advice for Dad |
| and stay as long as possible so you can get a | | | | please visit Greatdad. |
| good feel for what the care will be like for your | | | | |