Choosing A Childcare Program for Your Child

If you are a first-time parent, choosing the right childcare situation for your child is an extremely important yet daunting task. There are many questions to ask about any child care program, whether centerbased or in a family daycare provider’s home. So, where do you begin?

The most comprehensive information and most thorough list of questions to ask a provider before making your choice can be found at Child Care Aware of America (www.childcareaware.org)

Our local Child Care Resource Network wnychildren.org is also affiliated with this organization and is an excellent place to begin narrowing down your search.

But, what types of questions should you be asking about each child care program? There are many more than we can print here, but you can check out the complete list (if you have an infant or toddler, there is a complete set of questions specific to their care) on the Child Care Aware of America site before taking a tour of any program.

General Questions

Is the program licensed? If the program provides transportation, are drivers licensed and insured? Are children properly restrained in safety seats approved for their age and weight?

Are there clear check-in and checkout procedures?

Class Size

What is the adult to child ratio? What is the class size for your child’s age group?

Staff Qualifications

Does the lead caregiver/teacher have a bachelor’s degree in a child-related field?

Does the director have a bachelor’s degree in a child-related field?

Are the caregivers/teachers and director involved in ongoing training or continuing education programs?

Supervision

Are children supervised at all times, both indoors and outdoors, even when they are sleeping?

Can caregivers be seen by others at all times so that a child is never alone with one caregiver?

Have all caregivers undergone comprehensive background checks?

Program Structure

Is there a daily balance of play time, story time, activity time, and nap time? Do children play for a significant part of their day?

Do children get to choose who they want to play with?

Caregiver Interaction

Are children warmly greeted when they arrive?

Do caregivers talk to children and seem genuinely interested in what the children are doing?

Do caregivers get down on children’s level and speak with them?

Do caregivers play with children to help facilitate learning?

The Environment

Are there different areas for resting, quiet play, and active play?

Is the atmosphere pleasant?

Is the environment clean?

Are there enough toys and learning materials for the number of children?

Does the program use TV, computers, or other types of technology with the children? If so, how often are these materials used?

Is there a space for outdoor play?

Is the outdoor play area fenced in? Is it clean?

Is the outdoor play area regularly inspected?

Is the equipment the right size and type for the age of children who use it?

Are children taken outside on a regular basis?

Do caregivers actively supervise (play with) children outdoors?

HEALTH & SAFETY

Are the indoor and outdoor environments clear of safety hazards, such as cleaning supplies and tripping hazards?

Does the child care program have records proving that the other children enrolled are up-to-date on all of the required immunizations?

Is handwashing a regular part of the program’s practices for both staff and children, especially before eating and after using the bathroom?

If the program serves food, does it meet nutritional standards?

How are food allergies or dietary restrictions handled?

Have caregivers been trained on CPR and First Aid, and are those certifications current?

Does the program have first aid kits?

Are medications kept out of the reach of children?

Are the caregivers trained on medication administration, and are medications labeled to make sure the right child receives the right amount of medication?

Does the program have a plan in place in case of a disaster, like a fire, tornado, flood, blizzard, earthquake or active shooter?

Does the program have an emergency plan in case a child is injured, sick, or lost?

Does the program have information about whom to contact in an emergency?

— by Deborah Williams