Child Care

Choosing a child care provider is an important and overwhelming responsibility. Naturally you want to ensure your child’s care is safe, happy, fun, educational and nurturing. However, going through the steps of interviewing and researching child care options can be quite challenging.

Below are a list of questions and tips that may be helpful when making your decision on a child care provider.

Start early : whether you're looking for an individual or a child care facility finding the right option may take some time.

Visit and ask questions : visit each facility and interview each person you are considering for the job.

• Are you trained in emergency first aid and CPR ?
• What is your experience working with young children ?
• How do you handle toilet training ?
• Is there an open policy on parent visits ?
• How are kids grouped ? By age ?
• What type of childcare development training or education does the caregiver have ?
• Do you have a state license or accreditation ?
• What are the facility child ratios ?

• Have regular meetings with the facility or caregiver to ask questions about progress.
• Offer to volunteer.
• Visit your child and participate in events and field trips.

• Does staff have training on health and safety issues ?
• Are toys and equipment washed and disinfected regularly ?
• Is there a sick policy ?
• Are all infants put to sleep on their backs ?
• Is any equipment used kept according to proper safety standards ?
• Is the facility equipped with the appropriate first aid materials ?
• Does staff practice evacuation procedures ?