Quality child care is something that will last a lifetime. You and your family are your child's most important teachers and choosing a licensed care provider will ensure your child is receiving quality care when you can't be there. Quality child care is a great first step to school success. Studies show that children who are involved in quality child care programs often enter school with higher math, language and social skills. By choosing a licensed child care provider, you can rest assured that your child is in a safe, loving environment where they are receiving the care needed to be healthy, happy and ready for school. You can also use our evaluation checklist to help you evaluate all of your child care options.

To find good child care, follow these five steps to success...

1. Start Early
Start looking for a child care provider as far in advance as possible. No matter what child care option you are exploring, finding the perfect fit for you child can take some time.

2. Make a Call
Begin your search by calling your local experts. The Early Childhood Council of the San Luis Valley can assist you in exploring all of your child care options. We can also provide you with local licensing requirements, give you information on complaints or licensing violations, and provide resources for financial assistance programs that are in the area.

3. Visit and Ask Questions
Make sure you ask questions at the child care facilities your are considering. Here are five indicators of quality:

–» Adult to Child Ratio
Ask how many children there are for each adult. The lower the adult to child ratio, the better it is for your child. Getting plenty of attention is what you want for your child. The younger your child the more important this is. For example, Babies need an adult to child ratio of no more than 1 adult to 4 infants, while four-year-olds can do well with a ratio of 1 to 10.

–» Group Size
Find out how many children are in the group. The smaller the group size, the better. Imagine a group of twenty toddlers with five adults, compared to a group of ten with two adults. Both groups have the same adult to child ratio. Which would be calmer and safer? Which would be more like a family?

–» Caregiver Qualifications
Ask about the care provider's training and education. Caregivers with degrees and/or special training in working with children will be better able to teach and care for your child. Are the caregivers involved in activities to improve their skills or do they attend classes or workshops?

–» Turnover
Check how long the caregivers have been at the care center or providing care in their homes. It is better if children stay with the same caregiver at least a year. Care providers who come and go make it hard on your child.

–» Accreditation
Has the child care provider been accredited by a national organization? Providers that have been accredited have met voluntary standards for child care that are usually higher than most licensing requirements. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) are the two largest accrediting organizations for child care programs.

4. Make a Choice
Review what you saw on your visits to each child care facility. You know your child best, choose a care provider that will be the best choice for your child. You can use the checklist below to help you make this important decision.

5. Stay Involved
You and your caregiver are now partners. Here are some ways to stay involved:
–» Have parent-caregiver meetings regularly and ask questions.
–» Offer to volunteer when needed.
–» Be there for your child's birthday party.
–» Visit your child at child care and read a book aloud.
–» Join in special events in holidays.

Information in this article was compiled from information provided on childcareaware.org. For a downloadable brochure on choosing the best child care for your child please click here.
An additional resource available. " Working your Way Through the Child Care Maze" click here.

( ...) Does the care provider have special training in early childhood education, First Aid and CPR?
( ...) How long has the caregiver been in the same program or providing child care in the home?
( ...) Are just a few children children being cared for by one caregiver (low adult to child ratio)?
( ...) Is the total number of children in the group still fairly small (group size)?
( ...) Is the child care nationally accredited, and is it state licensed and regulated?
( ...) Does the caregiver welcome drop-in visits and parent ideas and involvement?
( ...) Does the caregiver get on the children's eye level, and give them lots of attention and encouragement?
( ...) Are there planned activities for children to do as well as lots of time for free play?
( ...) Are materials, such as books, blocks, toys, and art supplies, available to children all day long?
( ...) Does the care facility look clean and safe, and is hand washing done often?
( ...) Does the caregiver have written policies and procedures, including emergency plans?
( ...) You know your child best, will your child be happy there?

This checklist was taken for materials provided on childcareaware.org. For a more extensive and printable version of this checklist please click here.