Child Care: What to Look For

When you place your child in the care of someone else, be it family child care, a center, a relative or friend, the key to your peace of mind is trust. The more you trust the caregiver, the more secure you will feel. Here are some questions to ask:

DOES THE CAREGIVER ...

• have child-rearing attitudes similar to yours?
• have training to understand what children can and want to do at different stages of growth?
• spend time holding, playing with, and talking to your baby?
• have enough time to look after all the children in care?
• welcome visits from parents at any time?

DOES THE HOME OR CENTER HAVE ...

• a license?
• only a few children?--remember, infants do better in small groups.
• have a clean and comfortable look?
• equipment that is safe and in good repair?
• nutritious meals and snacks?

ARE THERE CHANCES FOR CHILDREN ...

• to be held, cuddled, rocked, smiled at, and talked to?
• to relax and rest when they need to?
• to crawl and explore safely?
• to play with objects that develop their senses of touch, sight and hearing, such as mobiles, mirrors, rattles, things to squeeze and roll, pots and pans, or soft toys?
• to learn language through the caregiver talking to the child, naming things, describing what he or she is doing, and responding to the child's actions?

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