By
Denise Kirchner
Early Childhood Education Specialist
ChildCareFinders.org
How
To Find Quality Childcare? It is not an easy job for any parent
to find the right provider. In fact, searching for "quality"
care for your child takes time and can be a long process. The time
you take now to find the right provider will give you "peace
of mind" once your child begins attending childcare.
Time.
Time may be of the essence but it doesn't mean you need to rush
into it with both eyes shut. Remember, you are not only trying to
find someone who is affordable and can work with your work schedule,
but who will become a second parent to your child. Unfortunately,
our children end up spending more hours in childcare than we do
at work.
Where
Do You Start? There may be many resources in your community in addition
to ChildCareFinders.org
, an online resource that offers a detailed listing of childcare
providers in your area, but it's up to you to seek out a "quality"
provider that fits your needs and who can provide a nurturing environment
for your child.
Let's
Define "Quality." Webster defines quality as a "degree
of excellence." Although there are many other definitions,
how do you define the word in respect to childcare?
Let's
Start With Licensed Childcare Providers. The reason we should start
with license providers is because they are under California State
Guidelines (Title 22), which regulates how many children a provider
is licensed to care for in his/her Family Home Daycare, assures
the licensee does not have any felonies or child abuse charges,
stipulates that all adults over the age of 18 who recite at or visit
the home regularly during business hours has their fingerprints
on file, and before a childcare provider is licensed, a representative
from licensing will visit the provider and conduct an inspection
of the home assuring the home is safe and free of obvious hazards.
Knowing a provider is licensed tells a lot about the provider and
his/her ambitions to the childcare profession.
What
Are Your Initial Needs? Make a list of what you need to fulfill
your work obligations, schedule, and financial obligations. Ask
questions about the hours of operation? Is the location of the provider
convenient? And any other information you feel is essential to meeting
your initial needs. Make copies of your list and use it as a guideline
when screening providers over the phone. You can save a lot of time
by eliminating those providers who don't meet your initial needs
by conducting a simple telephone interview. Once you have screened
several providers over the phone, you are ready to arrange for an
initial visit. Call and arrange an appointment to interview prospective
providers in their home preferably during business hours. Take the
time to jot down specific questions about what is important for
providing the best care for your child.
What
Are Your Essential Needs? What will the caregiver need to offer
your child to give you "peace of mind?" Think of all the
qualities you want in a provider/caregiver that will best fit your
child's needs: a warm and inviting environment, a loving and caring
caregiver and don't forget a discipline policy that is similar to
your own (depending on the age of your child). Ask to see a parent
handbook that shows the policies the provider has already established.
Last
But Not Least. Once you have decided on the right provider, call
to arrange for another visit and bring along your child to see how
he/she interacts with the prospective caregiver and the other children
at the childcare home. This will also help your child deal with
separation anxiety once his/her childcare begins with the new caregiver.
There
are many excellent and quality providers who can meet your initial
and essential needs and knowing you took the time to seek them out
will give you "peace of mind" when your new childcare
begins.
Good
Luck! DGK
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