Child Care
Child Care Checklist
Where to begin...
Call several providers and make an appointment to visit.
- Visit once at a quiet time when you can talk with the provider.
- Visit again during active play time to see the day's activities.
Plan questions to ask and things to look for during your visit.
- Write down questions you would like to ask.
What to look for...
How does the provider relate to the children?
- Enjoys working with the children; is patient and warm.
- Treats each child with respect, listens and communicates with each child.
- Encourages children to become independent and to feel good about themselves. Is the setting safe, clean and healthy?
- Enough indoor/outdoor space for active and quiet, group and individual play.
- Enough space for individual cots/mats at rest time.
- Toys and equipment sturdy and in good repair.
- Outdoor play space fenced, free of hazards.
- Rooms clean and free of hazards (space heaters, sharp objects, open fireplaces).
- Adequate heating, lighting, ventilation.
- Food preparation and serving surfaces in good repair.
- Toilets and wash basins clean and in adequate number.
- Emergency outlets covered with safety caps.
- Smoke alarms installed.
Are age appropriate activities planned and adequate play materials provided?
- Equipment for active play (tricycles, balls, climbing toys, etc.)
- Materials for quiet play (books, puzzles, blocks, etc.)
- Items for creative play (dress-up clothes, musical instruments, paint, crayons and paper, etc.)
What to ask...
Health and safety
- Are adults allowed to smoke when they are with the children?
- Do you use individual towels, cups, glass for each child?
- Do you have a separate place for ill children to rest quietly?
- Do you conduct daily health inspections as the children arrive?
- Have all adults and children had recent medical exams?
- Are all children's immunizations up to date?
- Do you have first aid supplies and a manual within easy reach?
- How would you handle a medical emergency? a fire? a tornado?
- Do adults have first aid and CPR training?
- Are all pets licensed and vaccinated?
- Do you use safety seats/belts when transporting children?
- Do children and adults wash hands after toileting and before eating?
- Are teeth brushed after meals?
- Are balanced meals/snacks served?
- Are medicines, household cleaners, and weapons locked away?
- What is the limit on the number of children per each adult?
A typical day
- What ages of children do you care for?
- Can parents drop in to visit any time?
- Do you plan active and quiet, indoor and outdoor play each day?
- How much time is allowed for children to rest?
- When are meals/snacks served?
- Is your schedule flexible enough to meet individual needs?
- Are the children given choices of activities?
- What are the hours of operation?
More about the provider
- How long have you been working with children?
- Do you take part in ongoing training in child care?
- What is your philosophy about toilet training and what methods do you use?
- What is your philosophy about discipline and what methods do you use?
- Do you have a general philosophy about what is important for a child's growth and development?
- Do you have a name of someone who has used your services that I can call as a reference?
Payment
- What is the fee per week/month/hour/day?
- When is the payment due?
- Are there late arrival fees or other fees I should be aware of?
- Is there a reduction of the fee for days my child is absent?
- Is there a formal contract to sign?
- How much notice is required to end the contract?
What parents should do for a child care provider
- Be prompt or let your provider know if you will be late or absent.
- Leave written permission and instructions for giving medication.
- Label container with childs name.
- Prescription medication must be in original container.
- Leave information on:
- Who to contact in case of emergency
- Parent's work numbers
- Who else may pick up the child.
- Let your provider know your views on discipline.
- Pay on time.
- Keep a sick child home unless special arrangements have been made with your provider.
- Pack extra clothes.
- Dress your child appropriately for the weather, daily activities or for special needs.
- Work with your provider on toilet training, weaning form the bottle, etc.
- Feel free to visit unannounced occasionally.
- Tell the provider if something has happened that may affect your child (death in the family, separation of parents or impending divorce, a move, etc.)
- Feel free to ask about the daily menus.
- Take your child into the house both when arriving in the morning and when leaving.
- Be sure to allow a few minutes to chat with the provider to see what kind of day your child has had.
- Make sure your child's immunizations are current.
- Don't be offended if your provider asks you to sign a contract/agreement.
- Quality child care takes commitment, training, and dedication.
- Your child care provider is a professional, not just a babysitter.