Quality Child Care

What to look for

Staff

• The staff is well trained and caring

• Good ratio of staff to children

• Serious about their job

Environment

• Positive

• Orderly

• Clean

• Safe

Parents

• Parents are encouraged to be involved

• Open-door policy for visitations

Records

• Good records are kept

• A good system of communication between child care provider and parents

Children

• Basic needs of children are met

• Nutritious meals and snacks

• Naps and quiet times

• Exercise and play

Discipline

• Caregivers handle behavior positively

Schedule

• A reliable schedule is followed

• Schedule posted

Learning

• Many learning opportunities are planned

• Enough toys and equipment for the number of children being served

Type of Care

• Care in child’s home

• Family day care

• Play group

• Child care center

• Parent cooperatives

• Head start centers

• Preschool

Care in Child’s Home

• Convenient for parents

• Provides individual attention to child

• No chance for play with other children

Family Day Care

• Setting is familiar and comfortable

• Chance for social learning and play

• Few other children

Play Group

• Chance for social learning and play

• Parents take turns caring for other children

• Few other children

Child Care Center

• Variety of activities may be offered

• Chance for social learning and play

• More structured setting with a daily routine

• May have professionally trained staff

Parent Cooperatives

• Parents learn about child development by helping provide supervision

Head Start Centers

• Only for lower-income or at-risk children

• Activities planned to improve development and health

• Parents are actively involved

Preschool

• Variety of activities are offered

• May have professionally trained staff

• May follow a particular philosophy

Montessori Preschool

• Follows the ideas of Maria Montessori

• Children are encouraged to learn by exploring and experimenting and are given the freedom to move from one activity to another as they wish

After School Programs

• Provide supervision for Latchkey children (children who would be left alone from the time they come home from school until their parents return form work).

Check Your Understanding

• Why do some people believe that substitute care should not be used on a regular basis?

• Why do others support regular use of substitute care for children?