Colorado Association of Family Child Care
Colorado Association of Family Child Care
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SELECTING QUALITY FAMILY CHILD CAREElaine Wilson
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 | Your child receives individual attention.
| The atmosphere is more like a family.
| Your child has one consistent caregiver.
| You may find family child care close to home.
| All of your children may be able to attend the same family child care
home. Look for one that has infant through school-age care.
| More flexible hours suit part time employees or shift workers.
| Costs may be the same or less than child care center costs. | |
A licensed family child care home ensures minimum standards for
the care and protection of children. A licensing agent evaluates such areas as
health and safety, adult-child ratio, caregiver training, equipment, nutrition,
and behavior and guidance. Only licensed family child care homes can participate
in the Child and Adult Food Program. Only licensed homes can receive payments
from the Department of Human Services. Look for the license when you visit each
home.
An accredited family child care has met additional standards
established by the National Association for Family Child Care. The family home
providers are proud of this professional recognition.
All licensed family child care providers must have training in child care every
year. Some have a Child Development Associate credential. This means they have
training in family child care and resources. They must pass a written exam and
an oral interview. An advisor observes and corrects their work with children and
families. Some providers will have associate degrees in child development or
early childhood education from two year colleges. Provider training in child
care is an important sign of quality.
Several agencies help inform parents about quality child care and help locate
licensed homes in their area.
See addendum at the bottom of the page for Colorado contact information
Oklahoma Child Care Aware. Oklahoma parents can
call 1-800-799-1699 to receive information on how to choose quality care. They
can learn how to contact their local Resource and Referral Agency, Oklahoma
State University Extension Center, and Department of Human Services licensing
representative.
Resource and Referral Agencies. These serve many Oklahoma counties. They
have lists of licensed family child care homes. They can match your needs to
available child care. Call Oklahoma Child Care Aware at 1-800-799-1699 to find
out about resource and referral agencies serving certain areas of Oklahoma. Call
National Child Care Aware at 1-800-424-2246 for information on local resource
and referral agencies nationwide.
Department of Human Services. Ask for a list of
licensed homes. Visit the office to read the records of each child care home you
consider. Their publication "Quality Child Care: A Handbook for
Parents" helps parents in evaluating a home. Another helpful information
sheet is "Know Your Family Day Care Mother."
County OSU Cooperative Extension Center. The county
home economist provides research based information about child care to parents
and caregivers. The home economist presents talks on child development and child
care issues. She will refer parents to other helpful resources. She can help
organize local efforts to improve the quality of child care.
National Association for Family Child Care. Parents can call
1-615-834-7872, to receive a list of accredited family child care homes in
Oklahoma.
Family child care provides the same kinds of experiences a child would have
at home. Quality family child care offers your child a chance to work at daily
household chores. Your child may be with younger and older children. Family
child care makes use of local parks, libraries, and special events. The small
group and home setting allow children to be alone or with others.
The provider continues the parent's role of caregiver, nurturer, comforter, and
first teacher. The provider is not just a baby sitter. A sitter comes into your
home for a few hours. You tell her what you want for your child. A family child
care provider welcomes you and your child into her home. She decides about
meals, schedules, and safety. She organizes the children's activities. She may
ask for your ideas. She will appreciate your family values and child rearing
practices. She is a professional and you can rely on her judgment. Working
together as a team, you provide the best for your child. The provider is not a
substitute for you. You are the most important person in your child's life. The
provider respects that fact.
Call several licensed homes to ask some basic questions . Call in the evening when providers have more time to talk. These questions will help you develop a short list of a few homes you want to visit.
1. Are you accredited through the National Association of Family Child Care?
2. Do you have space for my age child?
3. What are the ages of the other children in your home?
4. What are three references you can give me?
5. What are your fees, hours, holidays, and vacations?
6. How many years of experience do you have?
7. What training have you had?
8. Do you plan to continue home care for at least a year?
1. What is your typical daily routine?
2. What do you try to accomplish with the children?
3. How do you handle toilet accidents?
4. What happens when a child hits, bites, or uses bad language?
5. What if a child refuses to eat or doesn't nap anymore?
6. How do you feel about spending ten hours a day with young children?
You will want to select a home where your child can learn to develop good social skills. You will want him to develop a healthy attitude toward himself and others by learning to:
| Trust others and feel safe |
| Express feelings and feel understood |
| Get along with others |
| Feel independent, successful, and capable |
| Be healthy. |
There is no substitute for a visit to the home where your child will be spending most of his waking hours during the day.
Do not hesitate to look for and check cleanliness and safety. Many parents
feel uneasy inspecting a private home. Licensed providers experience unannounced
visits by licensing representatives at least three times a year. Providers
respect parents who show they care. Observe if cleaning agents, medications, and
other harmful objects are visible and in reach of children. Look under sinks and
in medicine cabinets. Check electrical outlets for safety covers. Check the
safety of electrical cords and their placement.
Notice if diapering and toilet areas are clean and fresh smelling. See if adults
and children wash their hands after toileting and before handling food. Be sure
the toys are right for your child's age, interests, and abilities. You will want
to see toys that are clean and unbroken. Young children need small servings of
nutritious meals and snacks. Watch for an enjoyable, relaxed atmosphere while
the children eat. Check the weekly menus on display for parents. Walk through
the outdoor area. Check for fencing. Look for safe equipment your child would
enjoy outdoors.
Look for the following signs of appropriate practices:
| Children are playing happily
| Rooms seem comfortable and not crowded
| There are enough attractive toys to reduce the stress of sharing
| The schedule includes daily planned activities, free play, rest, and
outdoor time
| The provider uses simple, positive directions. She speaks to children in a
friendly manner and at their eye level
| The provider rarely says negative things like "no,"
"don't," and "bad"
| The provider shows a sense of humor, smiles, and seems to enjoy being with
the children | |
After looking over several homes, base your choice on what is best for your
child. Good communication with the provider is essential for your comfort level
and your child's welfare. You will want to choose someone who genuinely likes
you and your child. Be sure you and the provider can speak freely.
As you make your decision, look at the provider's answers to your questions.
Think about what is most important to you and your child. Trust your feelings
about the home and the provider. You may not find a perfect family child care
home. Be sure you find one you genuinely like. Maintain a good relationship with
the provider. They have opened their home to children during business hours. At
other times, they need their rest and privacy. Respect her and her family.
Respect the business aspect of home child care. You may sign a contract with the
provider. The contract lists each of your responsibilities. Be sure to:
| Pick up your child on time. Many providers charge late fees.
| Know the provider's policy about caring for a child that is ill.
| Pay on time. The provider has bills to pay. You want the home to stay in
business.
| Give two week's notice before your child goes on vacation, visits
relatives, or leaves her care. | |
You will have a daily opportunity to talk about your child's adjustment and
activities. If things are going well, tell her. We all like thanks for a job
well done. Offer help, suggestions, and materials when appropriate. If a problem
or concern arises, make an appointment to discuss it. It is hard to talk at
pickup time. Children are weary and hungry. Other parents need the provider's
attention too. Perhaps an evening phone call will give you the privacy and time
to solve the problem.
Visit with your child about his day's activities on the way home, as you fix
dinner, and other routine times during the evening. Let him know you think about
him during the day. Have a bedtime routine of reading a story and talking about
the day's happenings. Make plans for the next day. This routine gives your child
a sense of security. Your child needs your attention and affection.
Help your child prepare for a change when it comes time to leave the provider.
She can do this by making a card for her provider or taking pictures of friends.
If possible, bring your child back for a visit. She has become an important part
of the provider's work. Your child and her provider will miss each other and
need time to adjust to their new arrangements.
It takes much thinking, listening, and watching to become a wise consumer of
child care. Take some time to think about what is important to you. We hope our
information will add wisdom to your search for child care. Some of your thinking
may change.
Here are five important things to remember about quality child care. All are
important. Try to rank their importance to you before and after reading this
information. Put 1 beside the item of greatest importance to you. Put 2 beside
the second most important item. Continue ranking. Place 5 beside the item, still
an important aspect of child care, but least important of these five for your
family.
There are chances for family involvement. (before) ______ (after) _____
The location, cost and hours are convenient.
______ _____
The family child care home has a license.
______ _____
It is easy to get along with the provider.
______ _____
The provider has training in child care.
______ _____
Atkinson, A. M. (1994). Rural and urban use of child care. Family Relations,
43, 16-22.
Bredekamp, S. (Ed.). (1989). Developmentally appropriate practice in early
childhood programs serving children from birth through age eight. Washington,
DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Kontos, S. (1992). Family day care: Out of the shadows and into the limelight.
Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Kontos, S., Howes, C., Shinn, M., & Galinsky, E. (1994). Quality in family
child care and relative care. New York: Teachers' College Press.
Manfredi-Petitt, L. A. (1993) Child care: It's more than the sum of its tasks.
Young Children, 49, 40-42.
National Center for Children in Poverty (1994). Local Community
programs help expand and improve family day care. News and Issues, 4(1),1-2.
Isadora, R. (1990). Friends. New York: Greenwillow.
Rogers, F. (1985). Going To Day Care. New York: Putnams' Sons.
Yates, M. (1988). Mommy's Coming Back. Singapore: Abdington Press.
Addendum
| Colorado Office of Resource & Referral. Colorado parents can
call 303-290-9088 to receive information on how to choose quality care. They
can learn how to contact their local Resource and Referral Agency, Colorado State University Extension Center, and Department of Human Services licensing
representative. |
| Resource and Referral Agencies. These serve all Colorado counties. They
have lists of licensed family child care homes. They can match your needs to
available child care. Call
National Child Care Aware at 1-800-424-2246 to find
out about resource and referral agencies serving local and nationwide resource
and referral agencies. |
| Department of Human Services. Ask for a list of
licensed homes. Visit the office to read the records of each child care home you
consider. Their publication "Quality Child Care: A Handbook for
Parents" helps parents in evaluating a home. Another helpful information
sheet is "Know Your Family Day Care Mother." |
| CSU Cooperative Extension Center. The county
home economist provides research based information about child care to parents
and caregivers. The home economist presents talks on child development and child
care issues. They will refer parents to other helpful resources. They can help
organize local efforts to improve the quality of child care.
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Send mail to [email protected] with
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