Be Informed and Start Your Search Early
Prepare to make visits to child care programs with confidence and knowledge about indicators of quality child care which can include:
Promoting positive relationships among all children and adults;
A curriculum that promotes learning and development in each of the following areas: social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive;
Consistently receiving information about your child’s development and learning on a regular basis;
Children’s health, nutrition, and safety are supported;
Teachers are knowledgeable about child development and early childhood education;
Family engagement and participation is encouraged; and
The environment has a variety of developmentally appropriate materials and equipment.
Understanding these indicators will help you make an informed choice for your child and family. Use the DHS Find Child Care Tools, located on this website, for details on state-licensed child care agencies.
Visit the Agency
The parent-provider relationship is critical to a child’s development. Visit each agency a few times, and speak with a variety of staff to see if the child care environment would be a good fit for your child as they grow. If your child is older, for example a toddler or preschooler, bring them along to gauge their reaction to the child care environment as well.
Ask Questions
Don’t be afraid to ask about things like meals, nap time, teacher-child ratios, how positive guidance techniques are used and does the agency use a curriculum. Review the child care agency’s report card, and license which is prominently placed where parents can see them within all state-licensed child care agencies.
Make Drop-In Visits Often
Once a child is enrolled in an agency, make frequent visits. Parents should be encouraged to visit, even if it is an unannounced visit. Maintaining an open partnership with a child care provider will ensure the child is receiving care that meets the family’s expectations, as well as the child’s developmental needs.
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