Today's parents work very hard both inside and outside of their homes. For many, their work or schooling requires them to be away from their children at some time during the day. This means that millions of infants, children, and preteens are in the care of adults other than their parents for at least some portion of every week.

In this booklet, the National PTA gives you information to consider when looking for child care. This information should serve as a beginning, not an end, to your research. We hope it will help you find child care that is safe, healthy, and nurturing for your child, as well as comfortable, convenient and affordable for you.

Licensing Child Care

Most states, as well as many local communities, regulate and maintain standards for child care through a system of licensing or certification or both. Child care, preschool programs, and caregivers that are licensed have met or gone beyond minimal state and local standards for health, safety, and quality.
Licensing regulates

the number of children who can be cared for in a home or center, based on the ages of the children;
the ratio of adults (caregivers) to children; and educational requirements and qualifications for caregivers. Parents should pay careful attention to the differences between licensed and unlicensed care.

Find out if licensing is required by your community and state.
Look for child care that meets or goes beyond the required standards.
To learn which department handles licensing and regulation of child care and preschool programs in your state or area, call the information number of your state's governmental offices. When you reach the child care licensing/regulation department, ask to receive a copy of its standards.
Note: Some child care centers may not only be licensed by state or local government, but may also be accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. this is a voluntary accreditation process. (See "Resources" section.)

Types of Child Care

The following are descriptions of child care options. Names for types of care may differ from area to area. Check with your state's child care licensing agency for the names used in your area. When looking for child care,

always check references of the caregiver and program;
spend time observing;
ask about licensing, medical checkups for caregivers and insurance coverage; and
ask for written materials about the program.

Child Care in a Home Setting

In-home caregivers provide care in the child's home. They are often referred to as babysitters or nannies. Many families prefer this type of care for infants and very young children. It is not usually regulated or licensed by the state. Care may be provided by a relative, neighbor or person hired by the family. Family day care is provided in the home of another person who may care for several children. While not all states or communities require family day care homes to be licensed, an increasing number do. Family day care is often the preferred type of out-of-home care for infants and very young children.

Group family care is also provided in a caregiver's home, with additional staff to care for a larger number of children. Group care is usually regulated. Check requirements in your area.

Out-of-home Care

Child care centers provide care outside the home in a group setting. Centers my be public or private. They may operate independently, as part of a school, agency, community center, business or religious organization. Programs may be full- or part-time. Center-based child care should have training in early childhood and child development, and the program should provide age-appropriate activities for the children enrolled. Child care centers should have written policies, plans for emergencies and should meet local licensing regulations. School-age child care serves children ages 5 to approximately 12 during non-school hours. It is often referred to as "before and after school care." This type of care is found in a variety of settings: schools; Y's; community, religious, or child-care centers; and even family day-care homes. Often these programs are state licensed and staffed by teachers and caregivers. Programs may include homework help and instruction as well as opportunities for group interaction, in a supervised setting.

Part-time child care programs provide care on a less than full-time basis (e.g., nursery school, mother's day out, play group, etc.). These programs may be part of a full-time child care center or a separate nursery school or preschool program. They may be held in community, child care, religious or cultural centers; schools; or other settings. Part-time programs are usually subject to similar licensing requirements and standards as full-time programs. These programs may be useful for families needing less than full-time care.

Publicly funded programs are preschool programs that provide child care, education, and other services to children from low-income families. These programs can be full-time or part-time, are often school-based, and usually include a parent involvement component. They include Head Start, Chapter 1, as well as additional programs for children who qualify on the basis of income or other factors. Most of these programs meet state licensing regulations and the requirements of the specific program.

Public Law 99-457 mandates services for young children who have special needs and disabilities. These services are provided through local preschool programs with supportive services from public school systems, or in special programs within a public school system.

Employer-sponsored Programs are child-care services provided by employers for the children of employees either at the workplace or by contracting with an established child care center or provider. Many times this child care is partially subsidized by the company. Other employers offer pre-tax salary deductions or subsidies to help pay for employees' child care. Some employers provide information and referral services to help employees locate nearby child care services.

What to Look for in Child Care

As you begin to look for child care, there are many things to consider. Meeting your needs and those of your child are most important. Be sure to get answers to "all" of your questions. The person who cares for your child should meet "your" standards as well as those set by your state or community. The following is a checklist of what to look for.

Licensing and Accreditation
Center/home is licensed by the state, when appropriate, and meets any other city or county standards.
License and Accreditation form/certificate are displayed.
Staffing and Staff Certification
All staff members have appropriate training or degrees/certification in early childhood education.
All staff members have had a recent physical examination and are up-to-date on their immunizations.
Criminal background checks are conducted on all staff and volunteers.
Staff members have training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), infant CPR and first aid, including "universal precautions" for handling body fluids, and are trained in handling emergencies.
Staff turnover is low.
Staff members are assigned to the same children on a regular basis to ensure consistency of care.

Philosophy, Goals and Policies
The center or caregiver's goals and philosophies are stated in writing.
Fees, billing schedules, and other charges are clearly stated in writing.
Hours, holiday schedules, discipline policies, etc., are stated in writing and given to families in advance.
Evidence of current insurance coverage for the program or home is available.
Written policies/standards on discipline, indicating that corporal punishment is "not" used, are available.

Child-to-Staff Ratio (as recommended by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the American Academy of Pediatrics)
These ratios may differ between centers (where same-aged children can be grouped together) and homes (where children of different ages may be together).

AGES OF RATIO: ADULT MAXIMUM
CHILDREN TO CHILDREN GROUP SIZE

Birth-12 months 1 adult to 3 infants 6
12-24 months 1 adult to 3 toddlers 8
24-30 months 1 adult to 4 children 8
30-36 months 1 adult to 5 children 10
3-year-olds 1 adult to 7 children 14
4-year-olds 1 adult to 8 children 16
5-year-olds 1 adult to 8 children 16
6-8-year-olds 1 adult to 10 children 20
9-12-year-olds 1 adult to 12 children 24

Nutrition and Health
When meals and snacks are provided, they are varied and nutritious. Menus are available.
Rest and nap periods are required and planned to respond to the needs of individual children. Individual space for each child is provided.
Smoking is prohibited.
Evidence of immunization is required for each child enrolled.
Disposable gloves are used in changing diapers.
Space is available and there is a clearly stated policy for isolating and caring for children who become ill.

Cleanliness
Hot running water, soap and paper towels are available, within the reach of children, and used after toileting and before and after meals and snacks.
Garbage cans, diaper areas and bathrooms are disinfected regularly.
Kitchens, tables, floors as well as all areas where children may play or sleep are kept clean.
Infant/toddler toys (which may be in children's mouths) are disinfected on a regular basis.

Safety
Children are never left unattended.
Children are only released to persons designated, in writing, by parents. Persons not known to the staff are asked for identification before a child is released to them. A procedure is used for signing children in and out.
Electrical outlets are covered.
Smoke detectors and, where appropriate, emergency lighting are properly installed and regularly checked.
Emergency evacuation plans are posted.
Fire drills are conducted on a regular basis (even in homes).
Dangerous materials (cleaning supplies, scissors, etc.) are stored out of the reach of children.
The center/home is free from hazards such as radon, asbestos and lead paint.
Play is well supervised and equipment maintained for safety.
Rooms have no sharp-edged furniture or breakable items.
Centers/homes have fenced play yards.

Transportation (when children are transported by someone other than their parents)
Drivers are licensed, qualified, properly trained, and have criminal background checks.
Vehicles used to transport children have seat belts and car seats that meet safety standards.
Children are always in safety restraints and under adult supervision in vehicles.

Program Content, Materials and Supplies
A variety of age-appropriate toys, books, materials, and equipment is available.
Adequate numbers (more than one) of different toys are available to avoid frustrating young children.

Children have daily opportunities to participate in a variety of active and quiet activities including free play, art, music, group and individual play, and indoor and outdoor play.
The program and caregivers are responsive to the varied cultural and ethnic backgrounds of children and families as well as anti-biased toward gender, income levels, or physical and mental abilities.
Parent Involvement
Parents are welcome at any time, without prior notice.
Parents are encouraged to meet with other parents for discussions, socialization and parenting training in order to provide support to each other, to the caregivers, and to the program.
Parents are seen as partners with the program and "experts" on their own child.

General Impressions

Children look happy, active, and occupied.
Children interact comfortably with other children and caregivers.
The general atmosphere is warm, friendly, and welcoming to both children and families.
The program seems organized and busy.
You feel comfortable there.

Ten Things You Should Expect from Your Child's Caregivers

Ongoing communication, open access to the home or center, and frequent updates on your child's progress.
Loving care, responsiveness, stimulation, and attention to building your child's self-esteem.
A safe and healthy environment.
Honesty. Caregivers should share information about problems or accidents. They should pay income taxes and meet all legal requirements.
Acceptance of your wishes on matters such as discipline, seat belt/car seat usage, TV-watching, food, smoking, toilet training, etc.
Advance notice of changes such as in hours or costs. You should have between a month and six weeks notice if a caregiver can no longer care for your child.
Support for your family. Caregivers should not be critical of your family's lifestyle or values and should not be involved in family disputes. They should respect your religious beliefs and cultural background.
Acceptance of you as the most important person in your child's life. Advice should be offered in a noncritical way.
Assurance that everyone in contact with your child is trustworthy, properly trained and continuously supervised. This includes caregivers' friends and relatives, custodial help, transportation workers and visitors.
No surprises. Your child care provider shouldn't suddenly announce that her teenage daughter will be watching your child three afternoons per week, nor should a favorite day care teacher disappear without explanation.

Ten Things Your Child's Caregivers Should Expect from You

Open communication. You should clearly explain your wishes and provide information on problems, on changes at home, and about your child's routine, activities and preferences.
Agreement on terms and arrangements (fees, hours, etc.) in writing.
Honesty and trust. Show your trust by asking questions and not jumping to conclusions when you have a concern.

Advance notice. Provide a month to six weeks notice of changes in your child care plans.
Consistency. Pick up your child on time and follow through on agreements. If you are to supply diapers or other items, bring them before they are needed.
Healthy children. Agree in advance about when you can and cannot bring a sick child.
Payment on time. Your caregiver provides for his/her family with this income.
Respect for your caregiver as a professional. Taking care of children is his/her chosen profession and a demanding job. Value your caregiver because he/she is an important person in your child's life.
Understanding and support for your child's feelings toward his/her caregiver. A child who spends hours with a caregiver should love that person, but this should not diminish how your child feels about you.
No surprises. Caregivers don't like surprises any more than parents do. Caregivers should know ahead of time of changes in your child care needs and of your concerns.

Resources

Some of the information in this brochure was excerpted from Growing Up Confident: How to make Your Child's Early Years Learning Years, a National PTA book by Melitta Cutright, Ph.D. (Doubleday). More information on related topics is contained in this resource. Growing Up Confident is available in bookstores or through the "National PTA Catalog."

Information was also drawn from resources provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Contact these organizations for information about their excellent materials for parents and teachers:

American Academy of Pediatrics
Department of Publications
141 Northwest Point Blvd.
Elk Grove Village, IL 60009-0927

National Association for the Education of Young Children
1509 16th St. NW
Washington, DC 20036-1426
(800) 424-2460

For additional information, check with your state's child care licensing department, community agencies and organizations, child care coalitions, and early childhood organizations to learn what child care materials and services they provide.

© 1993 National Parent Information Network