| Entrusting our children to the care of others is | | | | of an outstanding childcare facility. Remember to |
| one of the most crucial decisions we make. | | | | ask family and friends whether they have any |
| Consequently, finding the right kind of childcare for | | | | recommendations, as word-of-mouth advice can |
| our loved ones is hugely important to us all. There | | | | be so dependable. |
| are a number of options available to working | | | | When you begin your quest for reliable childcare, |
| parents and whether you choose to place your | | | | do your research and start looking at least six |
| child in a day care center or an in-home (family) | | | | months in advance. Above all, trust your instincts |
| care environment, there are many factors to | | | | when you interview either an in-home childcare |
| consider when looking for reliable childcare. | | | | provider or a day care center. |
| - Will your child be in safe and happy | | | | - Ask to visit a facility when the children being |
| surroundings? | | | | cared for are present |
| - Will they be helped to reach their full | | | | - Watch how they interact with their carers |
| developmental and intellectual potential? | | | | - Do they appear well looked after and above all, |
| - What is the staff ratio per child? | | | | happy and content in their environment? |
| - Will they get enough individual attention from | | | | - Go prepared with a list of questions you would |
| their carers? | | | | like to ask |
| - Are health and safety standards being met? | | | | - Visit as many places as you feel you need to, |
| - Does the center or carer have a license? | | | | and always try to look around more than once. If |
| In most States, both in-home child carers and day | | | | possible, drop by when they are not expecting |
| care centers are required to hold a license, | | | | you. This can be very revealing with regards to |
| although if they only look after a small number of | | | | the care that is provided to each child |
| children, family child carers may not be obliged to | | | | - If the center is accredited, ask to see their |
| have one. Depending upon individual state law, the | | | | policies |
| conditions of license will vary. In certain states, | | | | - Make sure that health and safety standards are |
| carers who look after children in their own home | | | | being followed and there are enough staff to |
| are licensed by the county, whereas, day care | | | | meet your child's personal and developmental |
| facilities are licensed by the state. A number of | | | | needs |
| day care centers have a system of 'accreditation', | | | | - Take your child along with you. Observe their |
| which has to meet specific conditions, such as | | | | interaction with staff members and their reactions |
| staff training obligations and policies for early | | | | to new situations |
| childhood development. Parents are also | | | | - Always check references from other parents |
| encouraged to observe the center, make | | | | and investigate whether there have been any |
| suggestions and at times, involve themselves in | | | | official complaints made against a center or carer |
| different aspects of the program. These types of | | | | These examples are just the tip of the iceberg. |
| centers are accredited by various, professional | | | | Everyone has different ideals when it comes to |
| organizations and are generally thought of as | | | | childcare, and as a parent you will have many |
| reliable and trustworthy. Details of organizations | | | | more needs to address. There may be waiting |
| that accredit day care centers can be found on | | | | lists for certain centers and other personal |
| the internet, using a search engine and include the | | | | considerations to make. Think about what is |
| NAFCC (National Association of Family Child Care) | | | | important to your family. If you remember to use |
| and the NAEYC (National Association of Young | | | | a combination of common sense and intuition, you |
| Children). It is important to remember that a | | | | will be sure to make the right choice for your |
| license or accreditation in not always an indication | | | | child. |