For parents who use child care, choosing a quality child care provider is one of the most important and often worrisome decisions they can make.

Research shows that high-quality child care and early education can boost children's learning and social skills when they enter school. However, the best data available shows that child care quality is sorely lacking. While nationally representative data is unavailable, a 1995 study of 400 child care centers in four states (California, Colorado, North Carolina and Connecticut) showed that only eight percent of infant settings and 24 percent of preschool settings were of good or excellent quality. The vast majority of centers were rated as mediocre or poor. A 1994 study of family-based child care providers found an alarming number of them judged to be inadequate. Experts at the Bronfenbrenner Life Course Center of Cornell University wrote, "Just as the need [for child care] is greatest, the quality of most child care in the country is mediocre at best."

Findings such as these suggest parents need to be extremely choosy in deciding on child care. "Choose quality child care and stay involved " is the ninth tenet of the I Am Your Child campaign.

What are some ingredients of quality child care? Dr. Marlys Boschee and Dr. Geralyn Jacobs of the University of South Dakota suggest answers in an article published by Extension's National Network for Child Care, an Internet site, shared here by permission.

The child care provider. The child care provider is one of the most important elements in quality child care. Select someone who responds warmly and sensitively to children's individual needs. Providers need to be culturally sensitive and accepting of differences in ethnic backgrounds and customs. The best providers will also have had some training or education in early child development and child care. Parents are wise to visit prospective providers and observe how they respond and interact with the babies and children in their care. One of the real indicators of quality affecting children's social development is the care giver and the verbal interactions the care giver shares with the child.

Staffing. Good staffing ratios are an essential ingredient in quality child care settings. Make sure that there are enough care givers so that your child can receive individualized attention. For infants, the recommended ratio is one adult for every three to four infants; for children under three, the recommended ratio is one adult tor every four to six children; for three to five year-old children, the recommended ratio is one adult for every ten children.

Environment. A quality environment is well planned and invites children to learn and grow. Centers and family day care homes that are best for kids are neat, clean, orderly, organized into activity areas and oriented to children. There should be enough materials and equipment available that are developmentally appropriate for children of different age levels. Children should be able to choose from a variety of learning activities such as building blocks, art, music, reading books, writing, pretend play, sand and water play and puzzles.

Safety. Safety is also a key element of providing a good environment for children. Adults must be vigilant in their supervision of the children at all times. The child care provider needs to know what to do in case of an emergency and know how to reach parents when necessary. Sanitary procedures such as hand washing and local licensing standards must be followed. Adequate lighting, temperature and noise control are also factors that contribute to a safe environment.

Quality relationships. Forming positive relationships between the care giver and the parents, and the care giver and the child, is essential to quality care. A parent needs to feel free to visit the child care program at all times and needs to be notified and made aware of any problems that arise. A parent must feel free to discuss any concerns with the care giver. Equally important for parents is knowing what happens in the day to day occurrences in the life of their child, and having a sense that their child is important to the child care provider. Studies show that the children who achieve better in school have families who stay involved in their care and education. Parents and care givers can work together on a shared vision for the development of a child: strong, caring and competent young people.

In conclusion, Boschee and Jacobs write: "Quality child care has the capability of promoting trust, autonomy and a true sense of happiness and autonomy in children. It can lead to positive social, emotional, intellectual and physical development. "For that to happen for more youngsters in child care, "quality child care needs to be a high priority in our nation and be supported by all in our society " including increasing investments in child care staff and adequate financial support of child care. "In that way, we will be investing in our future--our children."

© Stephen F Duncan, Ph.D
Montana State University Extension Service.