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Publication #FAR0307

 

Quality Child Care1

Suzanna Smith2

Figure 1. 
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Shortly before each of my children were born, the last thing I wanted to think about was leaving my baby in someone else's care. However, as a working mom, I needed some time to decide which type of care would be best for my babies and family, and to visit several different facilities and caregivers. Like most parents, I needed to know that my children were safe, healthy, happy—and learning, too. Certain factors are especially important in choosing the right child care for your child (Nation's Network of Child Care Resource and Referral, 2003; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2002).

In addition to making sure the adult to child ratio is appropriate for your child's age group, check out the caregivers' education and training in childcare and child development. Caregivers need to be trained in first aid, cleanliness, safety standards, and emergency procedures. Trained caregivers understand what children need to grow and learn (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2002; Child Care Aware, 2001-2006; National Association for Education of Young Children, 2006).

Ask about staff turnover. Children do better when they can get to know their caregiver, and changes interrupt the developing relationship. Check how long caregivers have been at the center or providing care from their homes (Nation's Network of Child Care Resource and Referral, 2003; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2002).

A high-quality program has activities and materials geared to the age of the children, a daily schedule, indoor and outdoor play every day, and warm and responsive relationships with caregivers (American Academy of Pediatrics, n.d.; National Association for Education of Young Children, 2006). The facility or home itself should also be safe and secure, clean, and well-maintained (National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care, 2005).

Several checklists are available to help you select quality child care. See our website for details or contact your local child care resource and referral agency or Child Care Aware [1-800-424-2246; http://www.childcareaware.org/en/] (Child Care Aware, 2001-2006).

Listening, learning, and living together: it's the science of life. "Family Album" is a co-production of University of Florida IFAS Extension, the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, and of WUFT-FM. If you'd like to learn more, please visit our website at http://www.familyalbumradio.org.

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Note

Consider whether a center is not only licensed by the state but also accredited by a national child care organization.

References

Administration for Children and Families. (2006). Resources for parents. Retrieved May 31, 2006, from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/parents/index.htm.

American Academy of Pediatrics (n.d.). Child care—Finding high-quality care. [Retrieved January 2012], from http://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/work-play/pages/Choosing-a-Childcare-Center.aspx.

Child Care Aware (2001-2006). A parent's guide to choosing safe and healthy child care. Retrieved June 6, 2006, from http://www.childcareaware.org/en/tools/parentsguide/.

National Association for Education of Young Children. (2006). Quality programs nurture relationships to enhance young children's learning. Retrieved June 6, 2006, from http://www.naeyc.org/ece/2006/05.asp.

National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care. (2005). Caring for our children: National health and safety performance standards: Guidelines for out-of-home child care (2nd edition). [Retrieved July 26, 2011, from http://www.nrckids.org/DVOC3/index.html].

National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care. (n.d). A parent's guide to choosing safe and healthy child care. Retrieved June 6, 2006, from http://nrckids.org/RESOURCES/ParentsGuide.pdf.

Nation's Network of Child Care Resource and Referral (NACCRRA). 2003. A guide for dads: Give your child an early lead in life quality child care. Retrieved June 6, 2006, from http://www.childcareaware.org/docs/pubs/111e.pdf.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2002). 13 indicators of quality child care: Research update. Retrieved June 6, 2006, from http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/ccquality%2Dind02/ [15 November 2012].

Footnotes

1.

This document is FAR0307, one of a series of the Family Youth and Community Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Broadcast as program 451. Published March 2009. Revised March 2009. Reviewed March 2012. In the interest of time and/or clarity, the broadcast version of this script may have been modified. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Suzanna Smith, associate professor, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.