By Kristin Perrone

     Bringing your child to a child care program can be a very unsettling experience for a family. Selecting a child care setting is a difficult decision for a family to make. There are several different types of child care and environments will vary greatly. New York State provides funding for local Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. One of the services these agencies provide is parent referrals and counseling at no cost to the parent. A Child Care Consultant will inform families of what child care is available based on the geographical area and type of care the family is seeking. Consultants can also give information regarding what quality child care looks like, and what type of setting may work well for an individual child. Once a parent has received the referrals, it is important to visit different programs with your child, and interview prospective caregivers before making your decision. The best scenario for you and your child is to find a child care arrangement that you are both comfortable with, taking into consideration your child’s temperament, and your family’s needs and beliefs. You will want your child to form a secure and loving attachment to the caregiver, therefore, the more questions you ask ahead of time, the better match you will make for your child. Diane Trister Dodge, author of Building Your Baby’s Brain, A Parent’s Guide to the First Five Years, says, “Next to family members, caregivers and teachers can do the most to help your child’s brain grow and develop during these most important years.”

Do Your Homework

     The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRA) has compiled a report listing New York State second only to the Department of Defense child care system for Child Care Center Standards and Oversight.  This includes ranking on items such as staff to child ratios, teacher’s educational requirements and number of training hours. The information used to score each state in NACCRRA’s report card was obtained from the recent 2005 Child Care Licensing Study: Final Report developed by the National Association for Regulatory Administration and the National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center (NCCIC), as well as NCCIC’s database on child care systems and regulations.  For information regarding any regulated program, or to review a copy of the state regulations, you may call the New York State Office of Children and Family Services at 1-800-732-5207 or visit the website at www.ocfs.state.ny.us. Parents should be familiar with the regulations in order to better understand the policies and the day to day activities of their child care program.
If you would like to find out more information about a specific program, on the above website, you can see the current status of its license or registration. It will also be able to provide you with the licensing and regulatory compliance history of any child care provider who is or was licensed by OCFS. 
     “Parents are the daily monitors of child care programs, their attention to operational or environmental changes can help to reassure them that their choice of care continues to meet their needs and the needs of their child.” says Barbara-Ann Mattle, Rochester’s Child Care Council Chief Executive Officer.

It is important for parents to know that they should trust their instincts regarding their child and how they feel the program is meeting their child’s needs. You should feel comfortable to ask questions of the center or provider, and to observe your child within the setting. There are several categories of things to observe and ask questions about;

Health and Safety- are there written policies in place, both posted and given to parents that include evacuation procedures, emergency health plans, medication and illness procedures, sanitation and food preparation, diapering and hand washing procedures?  Have the adults been trained and approved to give medications, and does the program have a Health Care Consultant? Are children only allowed to be picked up by someone you, as the parent, designate in writing?  Does the environment seem to be clean and free of any safety hazards? Are infant and toddler toys large enough to prevent choking?  Is equipment washed and disinfected regularly? Do children have their own space for belongings, and have sleeping equipment assigned to them for only their use?  Are infants put to sleep on their backs? Do adults and children wash their hands frequently throughout the day?

Partnerships with Parents
     How will information about your child be related to you each day? What are the procedures for contacting the family in the event of an emergency? Are there adults who speak your home language, and if not, how will they make an effort to communicate with your family? Are caregivers interested in your family’s culture and beliefs? How will they handle holidays throughout the year?  Do you and the caregiver agree on practices such as feeding, toilet training, and discipline?  Will caregiver’s respect your wishes and/or requests concerning your child?  Are parents encouraged to volunteer?  Is there an open door policy? Will caregivers conduct parent conferences throughout the year? 

Learning Environment- In addition to looking for a safe and healthy environment, you want to look for an environment that encourages freedom of movement for infants and toddlers. There should be several duplicates of toys, so children do not have to share; equipment should be stored on low, open shelves within the reach of the children.  Rooms should be large enough to accommodate sleeping and playing areas.  Equipment that restricts movement such as swings, excersaucers, playpens, bouncy seats, and high chairs should be used infrequently, and only for it’s intended purpose.  Ask the caregivers, when and how these items are used, and how long your child be in them?
Children should be learning through play. Activities and materials for children should include books, music, manipulative toys, games, varied creative and sensory supplies for exploration, paper and varied writing tools, several different types of blocks and props for dramatic play.

Caregivers- Are caregivers loving and responsive?  Does the program adhere to the state recommended adult to child ratio?  What training do the caregivers have in child development? Are groups of children and adults consistent throughout the day and over time, to allow your child to form a strong attachment?  For infants and toddlers, will there be a specific person, a “primary caregiver”, assigned to your child?  What is the rate of turnover for caregivers?  Are caregivers involved with the children at all times, encouraging language, providing close supervision, and playing with children?  Do caregivers use appropriate guidance techniques with children, such as redirecting children to other activities, distraction, and reflecting feelings instead of punishment?  Do caregivers have realistic expectations of children and their stages of development?

Kristin Perrone is Director of Education & Health Child Care Council, Inc.
The Child Care Council, Inc. is the local not-for-profit childcare resource and referral agency. Parents can call at any time to ask any questions related to early childhood. Offices are located in Monroe, Livingston and Wayne counties. The main office is located at 595 Blossom Road, Suite 120, Rochester, N.Y. 14610. The phone number is (585) 654-4720 or 1-800-743-KIDS. Detailed information can be found at childcarecouncil.com