Choosing Child Care Steps

	Choosing Child Care Choosing Child Care Steps Be Informed Contact your local Resource and Referral agency. (Listed in the Yellow Pages under Child Care Consultant.) Contact your regional state DSS office which licenses child care (complaint information). Ask relatives, friends, and neighbors. Check the newspaper and community bulletin boards. Check the Yellow Pages. Make a list of possible choices. Once you have a list of possible choices, set up an interview with the provider. At the interview, Look, Listen, Count and Ask. Look Is the facility safe for children? Is it comfortable and clean? Is there a quiet place for naps? Does the provider talk and cuddle with children? Is there a variety of play space and toys? Is there a sanitary diaper changing area? Is the kitchen clean and sanitary? How do the children interact with each other? Listen To the answers that are given (take notes). To the noise level of the room. For joyful noise from the children. For a respectful attitude towards the kids. To the feelings you have. To any concerns you might have. To the concerns your child might have. Count Are there the correct number of adults per children? How many infants are in care? Are you comfortable with the child/adult ratio? Ask What is your experience and/or education in child care? What is your child rearing philosophy? What kinds of things do you do to help a new child adjust? What do you do when a child cries? How would you react if you saw my child bite another? How long have you been doing child care? Can I visit my child whenever I want? What is your plan for an emergency? What do you charge and what does that include? Do you have a contract? Next: Parents' Checklist