Types of Child CareIf you’re looking for someone to care for your grand-children, you have many different options. Here are themost common types of child care.

n Child care centers: In Georgia, child care centerscare for 19 or more children. Some centers arequite large, caring for hundreds of children, whileothers are smaller. Child care centers usually havedifferent groups or classes for children of differentages. Some centers are for-profit businesses orfranchises. Others are run by not-for-profit organ-izations. Some child care centers care for childrenfrom infancy through elementary school. Othersare limited to only certain age groups. Most childcare centers are open only during workday hourson weekdays, although some centers are beginningto offer weekend and evening care. Child care cen-ters are licensed by the state.

n Group child care homes: Group child carehomes in Georgia care for between 7 and 18 chil-

dren. Children are usually in mixed-age groups,although infants and toddlers are separated fromolder children. Like centers, group child carehomes are licensed by the state.

n Family child care homes: Family child carehomes are usually run by one adult who cares forup to six children in his or her own home. Familychild care providers usually try to set up a“home-like” environment for the children. Family

Combining grandparenting with full-time or part-time work outside thehome can be challenging. Who will take care of your grandchildren while you’re at work? How do youfind someone who can help your grandchildren learn and grow? Choosing a competent caregiver for your grand-children is an important decision. It’s crucial that youfeel comfortable with the person (or people) who carefor your grandchildren when you’re not there. So howdo you choose good child care, and how do you helpyour grandchildren make a smooth transition to anothercaregiver?

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child care providers are required toregister with the state and to get reg-ular training.

n Informal care: Many parents andgrandparents choose to have friends,neighbors, or relatives care for theirchildren. These people are known as“informal caregivers” because they donot usually have to go through a licens-ing or registration process. Babysittersand nannies are also considered infor-mal caregivers. Informal care mayhappen in the caregiver’s home or in thechild’s home. In many communities,informal caregivers are the only optionavailable for adults who work eveningor overnight hours.

n Preschools: Preschools are generallyhalf-day educational programs for tod-dlers and preschoolers. Preschoolsmay be run by for-profit or not-for-profit groups.

Child Care Quality Matters!Some adults worry that putting their chil-dren in child care will hurt theirdevelopment, or believe that certain typesof care are better. Researchers have dis-covered that where a child receives care isless important than the quality of that care.High-quality care can help your grandchil-dren develop language, thinking, andsocial skills. Children who are in low-qual-ity care are more likely to be aggressivethan children in high-quality care.

How do you recognize high-quality care?Look for things like small adult-to-childratios; well-trained, sensitive, and respon-sive caregivers; and a setting that providesstimulation and teaches children how tosolve problems. You also need to find aprogram or caregiver that’s a good “fit”with your grandchild. Here are some tips:

n Find out what’s available in yourcommunity. Large cities have a widevariety of child care available. Smallercommunities may have fewer options.You can get the names of child careprograms from your local child careresource and referral agency. TheGeorgia Association of Child CareResource and Referral Agencies(www.gaccrra.org or 800-466-5681) canhelp you locate the resource and refer-ral agency near you.

n Visit and observe. Be sure to visit sev-eral child care programs or providersbefore you choose one. Count the num-ber of children and adults. Childrenreceive better-quality care in smallergroups with enough adults. Are thereenough adults to provide good supervi-

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sion and attention? Watch how theadults interact with other children. Dothey get down at eye level? Are theywarm and caring? Do they talk, laugh,sing, and smile with children? Is thespace safe and inviting for children?Are there enough age-appropriate toysand activities? Are toys safe and clean?Are children’s needs met? A visit mayhelp you get a feel for how your grand-children would connect with thecaregivers.

n Ask questions. Talk with people whowill be responsible for your grandchil-dren. Find out what they know abouthow children develop. Talk about howthey would handle an emergency or asick child. Ask what they would do ifyour grandchild cried when youdropped him off. Ask how they disci-pline children who misbehave. Findout whether they encourage you tovisit the program. Ask how they willkeep you updated on your grandchil-dren’s progress. Make sure you feelcomfortable with the child careprovider. If possible, look for someonewhose child-rearing ideas are similarto yours.

n Pay attention to logistics. Find outhow much the program costs. Beaware that many programs have schol-arships or sliding fee scales for familieswho can’t afford the whole cost. Askwhether the caregiver’s hours of oper-ation match your schedule. What timecan you bring the children, and whendo you need to pick them up? Whathappens if you are late? Try to avoidchild care arrangements where youhave to travel a long distance, or rushfrom work to pick up your grandchild.Ask whether the caregiver has a ParentHandbook that describes the program’spolicies and rules.

n Find out what you need to bring.Different child care programs have dif-ferent expectations. Most programs willexpect you to supply diapers, wipes, achange of clothing, and any medicationsyour grandchildren need. Some pro-grams provide lunch; others expect youto send a lunch with your grandchild.

n Be consistent. It’s important for yourgrandchildren to form strong, secureattachments with their regular care-givers. Check out child care programscarefully, and try to keep your grand-children with the same caregivers foras long as possible.

You won’t be happy about your child carearrangements until you are sure your grand-children are in a safe, healthy, nurturingplace. Take the extra time to find the high-est quality care that meets your needs. Formore information on choosing quality childcare, visit the Child Care Quality Matterswebsite at www.gafamilies.com/ ccqm.

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You can get thenames of child careprograms from yourlocal child careresource andreferral agency.

For moreinformation onchoosing qualitychild care, visit theChild Care QualityMatters website atwww.gafamilies.com

/ccqm

Child Care Centers RequireImmunizationsIf you are planning to enroll your grand-children in child care, their immunizationsmust be up to date. Most child care pro-grams require a copy of each grandchild’simmunization record that lists the dates ofeach immunization. An original, up-to-datecertificate must be maintained on file at thechild care center.

If you’re not sure whether your grandchildhas had all the necessary immunizations,talk to your pediatrician or the local healthcenter. They can help you figure out how toget your grandchildren’s immunizationrecords and how to decide which immu-nizations are needed. Take the time to besure all of your grandchildren are immu-nized — it’s an important step to protecttheir health.

Making the Transition into Child CareLeaving your grandchildren with anothercaregiver for the first time may be stressfulfor all of you. Your grandchildren will facenew adults, new children, new places, newthings, new routines, and new limits. Theymay be scared about being alone and upsetwith you for leaving them. You may worrythat they will embarrass you by crying ormisbehaving. These feelings are normalresponses to the transition into somethingnew. But with careful planning and prepa-ration, you can help reduce the “first-weekjitters.”

Talk with your grandchildren about childcare. Tell them where they are going, anddiscuss some of the things they might do.Even if they do not understand everything

you say, your grandchildren certainly willpick up your feelings of confidence. If pos-sible, visit the program with yourgrandchildren before their first full day. Letthem watch and explore with your encour-agement and protection. Be sure they havea chance to meet their new caregiverswhen they visit.

Talk with the caregivers about your grand-children before they begin the program.Explain their eating and sleeping schedules,any health concerns (such as allergies), andany situations at home that may affect theirbehavior. Tell them about what upsets yourgrandchildren and how they can be com-forted. If your grandchildren are takingprescription medicine, you will need tocomplete a permission form for them to begiven the medication in your absence. Ifpossible, fill out and return all of the formsand paperwork the program needs beforeyour grandchildren’s first day.

On the day your grandchildren start in theprogram, be sure you bring all the clothes,equipment, and food the caregivers

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You won’t behappy about your

child carearrangements untilyou are sure yourgrandchildren are ina safe, healthy,nurturing place.

Take the extra timeto find the highestquality care thatmeets your needs.

request. Bring one of your grandchildren’sfavorite comfort items, such as a stuffedanimal or a blanket, if the program permitsit. Arrive a few minutes early so you cangreet the caregiver, put away your grand-children’s things, and help them find anactivity. Plan to spend a little extra time sit-ting with them and helping them get usedto the new setting. Consider making theirfirst day or two half-days, or at least pick-ing them up a little early. A full day in childcare is a big adjustment for a young childwho’s used to being at home all day.

Some children may cry, scream, kick, orcling to you when you try to leave. When it’stime to go, say goodbye calmly, and tellthem when you will return. Don’t sneak outwithout saying goodbye; this just makestheir adjustment harder. Once you leave,don’t go back to check on your grandchil-dren. Even though it’s hard, keep walking.Remember that you trust the caregiver totake good care of them. It may help you feelbetter to call the caregiver in an hour to askhow your grandchildren are doing.

When you pick up your grandchildren,greet them with warmth and words thatshow you’re glad to see them. Ask them ifthey had a good day, and tell them you’reproud of them for staying with the care-giver all day. Don’t be surprised if they areboth glad to see you and mad that you left.Spend a little extra one-on-one time withthem that evening, and give some extrahugs and cuddles if needed.

Starting a new child care program may bestressful for your grandchildren. Some chil-dren tend to cling to you more, changetheir eating and sleeping patterns, or go

back to behaviors like thumb-sucking asthey make the transition. Don’t be sur-prised if your grandchildren arewell-behaved at child care (where theywant to please these new adults) and mis-behave more than usual at home (becauseyou are safe and home is where they canblow off steam). Just be patient — thesebehaviors will change as your grandchil-dren make the adjustment into their newchild care arrangement.

In SummaryChoosing child care is an important deci-sion. Look for a high-quality program thatmeets your family’s needs, fits your sched-ule, and provides warmth and nurturing foryour grandchildren. Making the transitioninto a new child care program is challengingfor some children. Talk to them about whatto expect, help caregivers learn how to com-fort your grandchildren, and spend someextra time with children while they areadjusting. Above all, be patient — you andyour caregiver can help your grandchildrenlearn to enjoy their child care experiences!

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ReferencesAllen, R. (2008). Preparing children for child care. Minneapolis, MN: University of

Minnesota Extension Service. Retrieved December 15, 2008, from http://www.exten-sion.umn.edu/distribution/familydevelopment/components/7268n.html.

Allen, R. (2008). Quality child care: How do I know it when I see it? Minneapolis, MN:University of Minnesota Extension Service. Retrieved December 15, 2008, fromhttp://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/familydevelopment/components/7268h.html.

Boschee, M.A. & Jacobs, G. (1997). Ingredients for quality child care. Retrieved December15, 2008, from http://www.nncc.org/Choose.Quality.Care/ingredients.html

DeBord, K. (1996). Quality child care: What does it really mean? (Extension publicationFCS-460). Raleigh, NC: North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. RetrievedDecember 15, 2008, from http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/pdfs/fcs460.pdf.

Little, L. (1998). Quality care does mean better child outcomes. Chapel Hill, NC: NationalCenter for Early Development & Learning. Retrieved December 15, 2008, fromhttp://www.fpg.unc.edu/~ncedl/pages/spotlt2.cfm.

Oesterreich, L. (1999). Child care checklist for parents. Iowa State University: UniversityExtension. (Extension publication PM 1805).Retrieved December 15, 2008, fromhttp://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1805.pdf.

Vandell, D. L., & Wolfe, B. (2000). Child care quality: Does it matter and does it need to beimproved? Washington, DC: U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.Retrieved December 15, 2008, from http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/ccquality00/index.htm.

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Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Cooperative Extension, The University of Georgia

The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture andcounties of the state cooperating. Cooperative Extension, the University of Georgia College ofAgricultural and Environmental Sciences, offers educational programs, assistance and materialsto all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, gender or disability.

An EqUAl OppOrTUniTy EmplOyEr/AFFirmATiVE ACTiOn OrGAnizATiOnCOmmiTTED TO A DiVErSE WOrk FOrCE

publication # CHFD-E 59-13 revised July, 2009

Developed and released by Dr. Diane Bales, Human Development Specialist,

Cooperative Extension, The University of Georgia. The Grandparents Raising

Grandchildren series was adapted, with permission, from the Grandparents as

Parents series originally developed by the University of Kentucky Cooperative

Extension and released by Sam Quick. For more information, go to

http://www.gafamilies.org or call 1-800-ASK-UGA1.