If you need child care, you want the very best setting for your child. When choosing child care, you should visit more than one program. If possible, take your child with you when you visit. The following list will give you some hints to help you make a good choice. Child Care Choices Statement of Quality Indicators for Choosing Quality Child Care Child Care Centers Child care centers include day care centers, preschools, nursery schools, before and after school programs, and Head Start programs. Centers need a license. Group Day Care Homes Homes in which two or more adults provide care for up to 12 children. These homes require a license. Family Day Care Homes Homes where an adult cares for one to six children. Family homes must be registered. Relative Care Provider A child’s grandparent, great grandparent, aunt, uncle, or adult brother or sister who provides care in their home and does not live with the child. Relative providers must be at least 18 years old and enrolled with the Family Independence Agency to receive child care payments from the State. Day Care Aide A person you employ to care for your child(ren) in your home. Aides must be at least 16 years old and enrolled with the Family Independence Agency to receive child care payments from the State.

Call First and ask...

• Is there an opening for my child?
  
• What hours and days are you open?
  
• Where are you located?
  
• How much do you charge?
  
• When is payment due?
  
• Do you charge for holidays, absences due to vacation
  or illness, or late pickups?
  
• How many children do you care for?
  
• How much child care experience and education
  do you have?
  
• How many adults care for the children?
  
• What ages do you serve?
  
• Must a child be toilet trained?

In a home setting...

• Are there others living in the home?
  
• Who and what age are they?
  
• Who, besides the provider, may be caring for
  my child?
  
• Will my child be taken out of the home while in
  your care?
  
• Are there pets or smoking in the home?

Visit and look for...

• Positive interactions between caregiver and children.
  
• Children getting lots of attention.
  
• Children who are happy and comfortable with
  their caregiver.
  
• Clean, safe, and healthy indoor and outdoor spaces.
  
• Safety features such as gates on stairs, caps on
  electrical outlets, and a locked cabinet for medicine,
  poisons and cleaning products.
  
• A variety of toys and learning materials, such as
  books, puzzles, blocks, and climbing equipment, that
  your child will find interesting.

Visit and look for...

• Can I visit at any time?
  
• How do you handle discipline?
  
• What do you do if my child is sick?
  
• How do you handle an emergency?
  
• Do you have a back-up caregiver?
  
• Where do children take naps?
  
• Do caregivers have up-to-date CPR and
  First Aid training?
  
• Do caregivers have training in child care?
  
• May I see a copy of your license?
  
• May I have a list of parents (current and former) who
  have used your care?
  

Ask other parents...

• Was the caregiver reliable?
  
• How did the caregiver discipline you child?
  
• How did you get along with the caregiver?
  
• Was the caregiver respectful of your values
  and culture?
  
• Would you recommend the caregiver?
  
• If your child is no longer with the caregiver, why did you leave?
  

Ask yourself, from what you have learned...

• Is there a balance of free play and routines?
  
• Can the caregiver meet the special needs of
  my child?
  
• Which caregiver should I choose so that my child
  will be happy and grow?
  
• Is the child care affordable?
  
• Do I feel good about my decision?

Ask yourself...

• How can I work my schedule so that I can...
  • talk to my caregiver
  • talk to my child about how the day went?
  • visit my child in care?
  • work with my caregiver to discuss problems that arise?
  • help my child grow?