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Making a Quality Childcare Choice

Finding and keeping quality childcare can be challenging. Where do you start?

What is Quality Child Care?

Childcare should support a child's emotional, social, intellectual and physical well-being. Quality child-care is not babysitting.

Caregivers are key to quality childcare. They should:

Understand how children learn.Be affectionate and responsive, open and informative.Provide a stable and stimulating environment.Seek out community resources and support.Be willing to develop common goals.

Quality childcare settings have common characteristics:

Clean, safe and secure.A caring and learning environment.A small number of children with each adult.Space for quiet and active times, indoor and outdoor play.A balance of interesting activities.Flexible, yet predictable routines.A variety of easily available toys and equipment.Nutritional meals and snacks.

How Do You Find Quality Care?

First, identify your needs and priorities.

Consider the child's ageDo you have more than one child requiring care?Are you eligible for a government or other subsidy?What fee can you afford?Do you preference center or home based, regulated or unregulated care?What hours does the center keep?Where is the Center located? Near your child's school, home, or your work?

Community information services can be invaluable. It is also helpful to talk to neighbors and friends who use child care. Just give yourself plenty of time and find care that suits you and your child.

Once you have a list of caregivers and day care centers, you may want to consider conducting telephone interviews. Jot down the questions you want to ask.

Visiting potential centers and family day care homes is the next step. Take a look around. Is this a quality childcare setting? Listen. Would you feel good about your child spending time here?

The relationship

It should be one of mutual respect, trust and cooperation. Use the interview as a time to ask plenty of questions. Be sure to discuss hours, fees, discipline, sickness, vacations and the involvement of the parents.

Check the center's references before you make a final decision. In addition, write a contract or letter of agreement -- it can save unnecessary misunderstandings in the future.

Being an Effective Child Care Parent

A parent's responsibility does not end with finding childcare.

The three-way relationship between the parent, caregiver and child requires an ongoing commitmentCommunication is vitalTake the time to hear about your child's dayAgree on mutual expectationsVoice concernsExpress appreciationLive up to the agreementMaking a Quality Childcare Choice

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