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Tips on Choosing Child Care
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(This information is directly from www.mass.gov/)
Choosing a program for your infant, preschooler, or school age child is
a very personal choice for each family. The best program is the one that
matches your own child’s temperament, likes and dislikes, health,
interests, and behavior. A program should also be compatible with your
family’s philosophies, and schedule, and should provide a safe
environment that is fun, educational, and nurturing.
Choosing child care is just the first step. It is important to maintain
an open dialogue and to play an active role in your child’s care in
order to promote a successful experience for you and for your child.
What to look for in an early education or after school program:
- The EEC license! The EEC License means:
- Programs must be healthy, safe, and offer activities that help
your child develop and grow;
- Providers have training in first aid and are CPR certified;
- Providers have specialized training in child development, and
curriculum implementation;
- All employees are required to undergo a criminal background
check; and
- Programs must maintain appropriate ratios of teachers to
children.
- Space is clean and inviting.You can imagine your child learning and
having fun.
- Activity level in the program matches your child’s personality.
- The behavior management policies of the program are compatible with
your parenting philosophy.
- The daily routine includes indoor and outdoor play and a mix of
active and quiet activities.
- Teachers/providers are qualified to work with children and are warm
and welcoming.
- Snacks and meals are well balanced and nutritious.
- Parents are invited to play an active role.
- Staff engage children in activities and conversation.
- Books and toys match the age of the children.
Other things to look for based on your child's age:
For infants:
- Caregivers are responsive, nurturing, engaged, and clearly enjoy
babies.
- Caregivers take primary responsibility for specific babies to create
consistency in care and the opportunity to establish secure
relationships.
- Space allows developing infants to freely explore their environment.
- Organized, comfortable sleeping, eating, diapering and playing
areas.
- A daily routine that meets the needs of each baby.
For toddlers:
- Caregivers set clear and consistent limits, but do so with kindness.
- Space is stimulating to allow active toddlers to safely explore
their environment.
- Caregivers spend most of the time engaging with the children at the
children’s level (on the floor, at low tables).
- There are books in the space for children to look at on their own
and that are read to them by adults.
For preschoolers:
- Teachers plan activities that engage the interests and learning
needs of the children.
- There are opportunities for children to choose activities, or to
play alone, or with other children.
- Children access toys and materials on their own at appropriate times
during the day.
- Opportunities for children to help and cooperate in the classroom.
For school aged children:
- Involve your child in the selection of a program which best meets
his or her interests, such as hands-on activities, art, music,
science, sports, creative dance, community involvement, field trips,
academic support; or a combination of these activities.
- The program provides space for socialization and a quiet space to
work on homework or to have down time and has a rich learning
atmosphere that supports your child’s education.
- The program seems to encourage your child’s independence and
builds self-esteem.
Questions to ask prospective child care providers:
- Is your program EEC licensed or authorized as license exempt?
- Do you have any openings?
- What hours are you open?
- What are the ages of the other children my child would be grouped
with?
- What is the ratio of adults to children?
- Are there holidays or other dates that the program closes?
- Do you offer part-time or flexible care?
- What backup care is provided in case of provider illness?
- What activities would my child experience?
- How will you accommodate my child with special needs?
- What is your policy when a child is ill?
- Do you have a written discipline policy?
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