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•Tf/Af.Child Care Checklistfor Parents

If you are looking for child care, you probably havea good idea of what you want — a place that issafe, happy, and loving, where children can learnand have fun. At the same time, child care mustalso meet your needs. Child care should beconvenient, affordable, and offer care when youneed it.

Finding child care that has the quality andconvenience you want —at a reasonable cost—canbe a real challenge. It is rare to find the perfectsituation but it is possible to find a very goodsituation that will meet your needs.

Know Your Options

Family child care home The caregiver, who isoften a parent, provides care in his or her home.Family child care homes that voluntarily choose toregister with the state will agree to meet certainminimum standards. Registered family child carehomes usually care for a small group of children—usually six or less. Family child care homes offer acozy, home-like setting and the opportunity forsiblings to stay together.

Child care centers Child care centers care forlarger groups of children. Children are usuallyseparated by age groups and play only withchildren of their own age. As children grow older,they may be moved to a different age group. Inmost cases this also means they will have adifferent caregiver every year. Because youngchildren develop very strong attachments to theircaregivers, this practice can be unsettling for some

children. Child care centers are licensed by thestate, which requires certain basic standards forhealth and safety.

In-home care The caregiver comes to or lives inyour home. In-home care works well if you needcare for an infant or toddler, after-school care, orevening and weekend care. In-home care isconvenient, but can be costly. You also may beresponsible for paying social security and workerscompensation for your in-home provider. In-homecaregivers are not regulated by the state.

Drop-in care Some family providers and centerprograms allow drop-in care. You will usually needto visit with the provider and sign your child upbeforehand. Then when you need child care, youcan call to see if the provider or center happens tohave an opening that day. This type of child careworks well as a back-up for times when yourregular care won't work.

Other Programs

Head Start is a full day or part day programthat cares for children and provides educationallearning activities. Head Start programs can belocated in centers, schools, or family child carehomes. Services are usually free. Families whohave low income or who have a child with specialneeds may be eligible.

Public schools in many communities offerprograms for pre-kindergarten children and somealso offer before- and after-school programs forschool-age children.

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITYUniversity Extension PM 1805 December 1999

Five Steps to Selecting Good Child Care

Get Organized

Finding quality child care isgoing to take a little homework.If possible, begin gathering basicinformation several monthsbefore you think you will needchild care.

• Ask your friends and co-workers forrecommendations.

• Contact your child careresource and referral agencyfor names of family providers,center programs, and otherhelpful information.

• Check to see if yourcommunity has a Head Startprogram or a public schoolsponsored pre-kindergarten orafter-school program.

Recommended Ratios*

Family child care homeswith one caregiver generallyshould have 6 or fewerchildren (maximum of 4children under 24 months).An additional 5 school-agechildren may be cared forless than 2 hours at any onetime.

Center Adult-Child RatiosChild's age Adult/Childratio2wks-2yrs 1:42yrs 1:63 yrs 1:84yrs 1:125-10 yrs 1:1510yrs+ 1:20

*lowa Department of HumanServices ~ as of December1999

Conduct a Telephone Interview

Save time and energy by using the phone to narrow your search. It isa good idea to contact at least three different caregivers. To get thebest response, avoid calling at busy times such as arrival, departure,or lunch time.

Caregiver

AvailabilityWhat ages are accepted?Are there any openings?Is there a waiting list?

Hours & LocationWhat are hours for full- or part-time care?Is child care close to home?Is child care close to work?Is transportation provided for before- or

after-school programs?

CostWhen are fees due? How much?Are there different fees for part-time

or full-time care?

Are there different fees for children ofdifferent ages? (Infant care usuallycosts more)

Do fees include lunch and/or breakfast?Do fees include formula or diapers?Is there still a charge when a child

is sick or on vacation?Are there discounts for siblings?Are there extra fees — supply fees,

picking-up-late fees?Are there any financial aid/scholarships?

Quality IssuesHow many children are cared for and

what are their ages?How many adults are there per child?What type of education or experience

do caregivers have?Is it OK to visit the site and when?Are you registered, licensed, or

accredited? For how long?Do you smoke?Do you have pets?

#1 #2 #3

HJNMake a Visit

Visit at least three caregivers orchild care programs. Beprepared to spend some time —at least an hour or longer. Youshould expect:• a warm greeting• short introductions to both

adults and children• a brief tour• an explanation of fees and

policies• an invitation to stay awhile to

see the daily routine andchildren playing

Questions to ask:• Please describe a typical day.

• How much TV are thechildren allowed to watch?

• How do you disciplinechildren?

• How do you handle naptimes?

• How do you handle toilettraining?

• What types of play or learningactivities do you have?

• Do you have CPR and FirstAid Training?

• What child proofing have youdone to prevent accidents?

• What types of foods do youserve for meals and snacks?

• Do you participate in theAdult and Child Care FoodProgram?

• Are children ever transportedin a vehicle? Do you useseatbelts or car seats?

• How do you handleemergencies?

| CHECKLISTCaregiver #1 #2 #3

Health and safetyClean and comfortableEnough spaceHandwashing encouragedToys and furniture in good shapeMedicines and cleansers locked upSafety gatesSafety caps on electrical outletsUp-to-date childcare license/registrationSafe, fenced, and litter free outdoor play areasNutritious meals and snacksFirst aid kitSmoke detectorsCovered radiators or heatersGood light, heat, and ventilationAlternative exit for fire

Daily routinesGreeted warmly upon arrivalOpportunities for parents to share

information or ask questionsLunch and snack times relaxed and pleasantNap times relaxed and NOT stressfulConsistent, predictable scheduleTimes and places to play quietly or activelyTimes and places to play alone or with othersSmall group sizes

Fun and learningToys that children enjoySinging or finger playsPretend playOutdoor playBooks to readBlocks, puzzles, and gamesDrawing, painting, craftsCaregivers talk, describe, read aloudCaregivers ask and answer questionsInteresting age-appropriate activitiesField trips or interesting visitors

Affection and attentionIndividual attentionCalm voiceRelaxed, flexiblePatienceListeningGentle touchSense of humorRespectful of children and parentsGood adult supervision

Check References

Don't be shy about checkingreferences. Selecting a caregiverfor your child is one of the mostimportant things you will everdo. Ask each caregiver for atleast two parent references andtheir phone numbers. Mostparents are happy to shareinformation with other parentsand can be a wonderfulresource. Parents who checkreferences say they often getinformation they couldn't havegathered any other way.

Parent #1

Parent f 2

Parent #3.

Make a Decision

Remember that it is OK to bechoosy Review the informationyou have gathered and call backif you have questions that werenot answered. Trust your gutinstinct. If you are notcomfortable with what you havefound thus far, keep looking. If achild care arrangement you likeis full, put your name on awaiting list. Even if you must useanother program temporarily,you will have this as an option ifthings don't work out.

Prepare your children by talkingpositively about the new childcare situation and by lettingthem visit the place beforehand.Ask your new caregiver if itwould be OK for your child tobring a favorite toy, teddy bear,or blanket to help ease thetransition.

Parent #4

If ProblemsAriseSometimes child care programsthat are wonderful take a suddenturn for the worse. That's why itis important to keep a watchfuleye and to continually monitoryour child care situation. If youbelieve that your child carearrangement is not safe, takeimmediate action. If the situationis serious, do not hesitate to findalternative care right away. Afterall, you alone are mostresponsible for your child'shealth and safety.

Remember also that you have aresponsibility to other children tosee that they are well cared for.Express your concerns to thecaregiver, and report concerns tothe Department of HumanServices or your local licensingagency. It may feel uncomfort-able at first, but it is the rightthing to do. Our children deservethe very best care that we can givethem.

The following publications are available only on the World Wide Web at the following location: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Pages/pubs/

• Child Care in Your Home, Pm-1807,

• Child Care Cooperatives, Pm-1808,

• Setting Up Play Groups, Pm-1809, and

• Child Abuse and Child Care, Pm-1810.

Written by Lesia Oesterreich, extension specialist in human development and family life. To order additional copies of this publication, contactExtension Distribution Center, 119 Printing and Publications Building, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3171; (515) 294-5247;e-mail: pubdist@exnet.iastate.edu.

Child Care That Works has other resources for parents and children from Iowa State University Extension to families. Contact your local extensionoffice for details. CCTW website: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Pages/families/Iife/CCTW/home.htnil

File: Family Life 2

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