Choosing Child Care
What do you ask?
When meeting with the director of a prospective child care program, you should ask the following questions.
- What kind of training and experience do the caregivers have? Caregivers should have training in child development or a related field as well as experience working with children.
- How long have the current staff members been there? There is often a high turnover rate in child care staff, but children do best when they are with the same caregiver over time.
- What discipline methods are used? Look for a positive approach that is similar to your own.
- What and how do the children learn? Young children learn best through direct experience. Hands-on activities, pre-literacy activities and lots of play are what to look for.
- Is food service provided? What kinds of foods are served?
- How are parents involved? Parents should be welcome to visit and there should be many opportunities for them to talk with caregivers.
