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Schedule A :: Considerations

How to search for quality child care:
When evaluating your child care options, it is important to consider your child’s age, because children have different needs at different ages. For age specific questions to consider click here (PDF 44kb).

Infants (birth to 2 years) are dependent on their providers. Their primary needs involve feeding, sleeping and, especially cuddling and touching. Because infants develop so quickly, it is helpful to find an early care provider who is willing to share your child’s daily discoveries with you. Providers who are experienced with the special requirements of infants are desirable.

Toddlers (2 to 3 years) are curious and more active, requiring a safe environment where they can move about freely. They need a chance to exercise their imaginations and to practice body movement and language skills. Providers should help toddlers develop by offering activities such as story telling, music, art and physical activities.

Preschoolers (3 to 5 years) need to socialize with other children and to experience more advanced social physical skills. Early care providers should help pre-school children learn to share and take turns as well as settle arguments peacefully. Pre-schoolers need access to crayons, puzzles, blocks, dress-up clothes, picture books and physical activities.

School age (5 to 12 years) are more independent, but they may not be ready to be home alone – even thought they may try to convince you they are. Before and after-school providers should do more than just keep them company. Activities should go beyond what children learn in school and involve plenty of play time with their peers. Physical activity is important to this age group.

When evaluating your child care options, it is important to give the search time. Many quality child care programs have waiting lists – particularly for infants. Begin your search as soon as you know you know you will be needing care. When you first find out you are pregnant, or going to adopt a child is not too early.

Step 1: Phone Interviews
After receiving a list of potential providers (from your CCR&R, church, friends, doctor, library, neighbor, etc…) it is important to screen potential child care providers. Begin with a phone interview, this will help you rule out some candidates quickly and easily. For a sample worksheet to use when screening providers, click here (PDF 44kb). You may have to arrange a time to speak because providers may be busy taking care of children. If you are still interested in this early care provider, arrange for a visit.


Step 2: On Site Visits
After you have conducted phone interviews, visit the early care programs you are still considering. Arrange your initial visit to observe the program in action only. During these visits, let the provider know you are just there to watch, and stay on the sidelines and do not disrupt anything. This on-site visit lets you see for yourself what kind of care your child will receive. Visit more than one provider so you can compare and find the best fit for you and your child. When you are planning your visits, plan on spending ½ to 1 hour with each provider. If you can, visit several times, at different times of the day, before you decide. Schedule your visits so you can see other parents and children either arriving or leaving, so you see how the provider interacts with them.

If you can, and the provider looks like a good candidate, set up a time that you and the provider can talk. Bring your child along to this meeting to see how the provider and your child get along. Because you cannot see everything that happens in a normal day, ask the provider how they would react in certain situations, or example, when a child does not want to join a group activity. When visiting a child care center, ask to speak with the providers who will give direct care to your child, not just the director.

Look at the facility during your visits too. Check for health or safety hazards and make sure you see all places that your child will be – i.e. sleeping, eating, bathroom, play ground. A good provider will understand, and appreciate, your concern. It helps to keep a record of each program you visit.
Click here (PDF 44kb) for a checklist to keep track of what you find.


Step 3: Preparing Your Child
Trust your instincts when you decide what early care program to choose. Ask yourself in you would want to stay there if you were a child. After you have chosen the program you want your child to attend, it is time to prepare him/her to enter the care environment.

There are ways to smooth the change from home care to care by a provider, or from one setting to another. One of the most important ways is for you to be comfortable with the situation. Your child may sense if you are not comfortable with the arrangement. Your new early care provider may also have suggestions about how you can make the change a little easier.

If your child is an infant, the separation may be more difficult for you than it is for him or her. A good care provider will supply plenty of attention and comforting to help ease the infant. Remember, even with quality care, it’s still natural to think about your child during the day.

With an older child, it helps to tell them how the arrangement will work. Take your child to visit the early care program. Spend some time with him or her exploring the environment, meeting other children and getting to know the provider. When it’s time to take him there for care, tell him he will be going back to the place he visited before.

Other helpful preparations for children include:
If possible, place your child into the care arrangement while staying at the provider’s for part of the day for several days. Make your stay a little shorter each day.
Tell your child what he or she will be doing during the day. (You will have play time with the other children then you’ll get sandwiches for lunch. After your nap, Mrs. Jones will read you a story.)
Tell your child what you will be doing after you pick him up.
Say goodbye everyday rather than slipping away. A child may begin to fear that you will leave without warning at any given time. Have a consistent goodbye routine, e.g. use a key goodbye word or action each day.
Let your child take a favorite toy along.
Pick your child up when you said you would.
Try to alter your child’s nap time at home to match the new arrangement.

Step 4: Follow Up Visits
After a few days, you can get a better idea of how the care arrangement is working by dropping in unannounced. Visit mid-day if possible. If not, arrive a little later or earlier than expected. This will give you a chance to see the care provider in action.

As time goes on, your child will be a good indicator of your care situation. Nearly all children require time to adjust, but most problems will pass. They also may develop “separation anxiety” as they get older. This is natural. Your child might be crying excessively and clinging to you as you are ready to leave, but generally once you have said goodbye and left, the tearfulness goes away.

If you child exhibits unusual or persistent problems after a reasonable period of time, take a closer look. Here are some signs of potential problems:
Changes in sleeping, eating or talking
Child does not want to go to provider
Child does no want to be near provider
Unusual crying patterns
Clinging to you when you leave and excessive crying which lasts after you are gone

If you suspect problems, have a talk with your early care provider. Ask:
Can the child bring something from home to help comfort him, or her, during the day?
Have you noticed anything different about my child?
What has my child been doing on an average day?
Has my child been crying? When and why?
Listen to your child. Ask questions?

Together, you and your provider may be able to agree on some changes. Give any changes time to work. If the changes don’t make a difference, consider finding a different provider. Be firm when necessary.

Changing providers can be hard for everyone involved. Suddenly you are back to the drawing board. You will need to set up care for the time it will take to find a new provider.

Remember, your instincts are still sound, don’t try to second guess yourself, or your child.