| Choose Quality |
As a parent, no decision you
make will be more important than choosing a child
care provider that best meets your family's needs.
We are committed to helping parents find answers
to their questions regarding quality childcare. |
Choosing Child Care |
Begin by visiting several child care homes and
centers. On each visit, think about your first impression
and: |
LOOK |
- Does the place look safe for your child?
- Do the caregivers/teachers enjoy talking
and playing with children?
- Do
they talk with each child at the child’s
eye level?
- Are
there plenty of toys and learning materials
within the child’s reach?
|
|
|
LISTEN |
- What does the child care setting sound like?
- Do the children sound happy and involved?
- What about the teacher’s voices?
- Do they seem cheerful and patient?
- A place that’s too quiet may mean
not enough activity.
- A place that’s too noisy may mean
there is a lack of control.
|
|
|
COUNT |
- Count the number of children in the group,
then count the number of staff members caring
for them.
- Obviously, the fewer the number of children
to each adult, the more attention your child
will receive.
- A small number of children per adult is
most important for babies and younger children.
|
|
|
ASK |
- It’s very important that the adults
who care for your children have the knowledge
and experience to give them quality care.
- Ask about the background
and experience of all staff, including the
program director, caregivers, teachers,
and any other adults who will have contact
with your child in the home or center.
|
|
|
BE INFORMED |
- Find out about efforts in your community
to improve the quality of child care.
- Is your caregiver/provider
involved in the activities to improve quality?
|
|
|
CHOOSE |
- Consider
your options: child care centers, family
child care homes, Head Start programs, PreKindergarten
Early Intervention, School-age Child Care
and summer camps.
- Call
your local resource and referral agency
to get more information about these choices.
|
|
|
USE A CHECKLIST |
- Use a child care provider checklist to compare
and contrast three different providers visited. For
a list of questions to ask during your child
care site visit please click on: Child
Care Checklist.
|
|
|
CALL |
- Before making a final decision on
a child care provider, you may call the Health Department/Enviromental Health to see if that provider has any licensing violations.
Call: (561) 274-3187 from Boca Raton to Lake Worth, (561) 996-1633 for the Glades or (561) 355-3015 for the rest of the county or click here to check online.
|
|
