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What should you look for when selecting a quality family child care home service for your child?
When searching for quality child care for their children, many parents turn to family child care homes for the answer. A family child care home is one person caring for a small number of children in her home. Children can range in age from birth through school age. Individuals choose family child care because they feel more time and attention can be given to each child. It allows small family groupings in a home atmosphere, and its flexible scheduling adapts to families' individual needs.
Consider. State and local regulations vary. In Ohio, a person can care for six or fewer children in her home at any one time. This includes her own children under the age of six. No more than three children can be under the age of two. In Ohio, if you visit a home where a person is caring for seven to 12 children, a state license must be displayed. In Kentucky, a person can care for three children unrelated to her and be exempt from state regulations. Kentucky providers caring for four to six unrelated children must be certified. Kentucky certified providers may not care for more than six children under the age of six years old. This includes the certified provider's related children. Kentucky providers caring for seven to 12 children must display a state license. Ohio does not regulate small family child care homes caring for six or fewer children and Kentucky does not regulate small family child care homes caring for 3 or fewer children, for health and safety. Therefore, it is very important for parents to be able to recognize a safe home, a healthy environment and programs that meet their family's needs. (Note: Ohio has a "county" certification that has standards similar to licensing for small family chld care homes serving families receiving the voucher.)
Call. Talk with several different providers. Ask about fees, hours of service, late fees, vacation and holiday policies. Consider location and transportation needs. Make appointments with those that sound promising.
Visit and Evaluate. Visit at least two homes with your child. Observe the caregiver with your child, with her own children, or with other children in her care. Ask about references and check them carefully. Spend time observing activities and the environment. Below are characteristics of a good child care home. Place a check for every yes answer.
Provider
Warm, nurturing, kind, patient
Accepting and verbal
Respectful of each child's cultural background
Sensitive to each child's feelings and needs
Laughs, talks and listens to the children
Comforts an angry, sad or frightened child in a supportive way
Reads, plays and sings with the children
Has reasonable expectations for children
Balances time between children and household tasks
Training or experience with young children
Policies
Policy for accepting or excluding sick children
Caregiver nor anyone in her household convicted of child abuse or neglect
Posted emergency numbers including where parent can be reached
Plan for a substitute in case of an emergency
Regular reports about your child's progress or any problems that might arise
Clear cut rule about who will provide diapers and baby formula
Home Environment
Limited TV watching
Materials and equipment well maintained and clean
Quiet and active areas indoor and out
Stairways, windows, basement and doorways protected by gates
Heaters, stoves, electrical appliances and furnaces out of children's reach
Child sized tables, chairs and potty chairs
High chair and crib for each infant, and a bed or cot for each preschool child
Soft pillows and floor covering for children's use
Place for each child's individual belongings
Locked up cleaning supplies and other dangerous materials
Covered electrical outlets
Outdoor play space protected from traffic and other hazards
Toys and activities easily accessible to children on low shelves or tables
Breakable objects out of reach to children
Daily Activities
Quiet and active play periods regularly scheduled
Opportunities for children to choose their own toys and activities
Enough toys and interesting things to do for each aged child
Places to climb, run and jump, and for infants to pull themselves up
Safe places for a child to be and play alone
Opportunities to play outside every day, weather permitting
Babies out of their cribs most of their waking hours
Infants and toddlers eat and sleep according to their individual needs and schedules
Infants protected from more active children when playing on the floor
Meal Times
Babies always held when fed from their bottles
Children encouraged to try new foods, but not forced to eat
Children allowed to set and clear the table and serve themselves
Hands washed before meal preparation, and eating
Well balanced and nutritious meals
Labeled infant formulas with baby's name and the date
Food never withheld as punishment
Toilet Training
Schedule and routine for toilet training set by parents
Diaper changing surface covered with a clean, disposable paper or cloth that is changed after each baby is diapered or the diaper changing surface disinfected after each baby's diaper changed
Provider's hands washed after changing each baby
Toilet training viewed as a natural positive process for the child
Health and Safety
Approved seat restraints used for each child on car trips
First aid kit available
Smoke detectors in the home
Regular fire and other emergency drills practiced with the children
Emergency exit route that everyone understands
Physically healthy caregiver
Special medication or diet given under doctor's order
Warning Signals
The caregiver does not encourage parents to visit and observe all parts of house.
The children move about without guidance most of the time.
The caregiver spends most of her time scolding or ordering the children.
http://www.4cforchildren.org/PS/qualityfcc.html
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Who?
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· and much more.
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