Four Steps to Selecting a Child Care Provider

1. Interview Caregivers
Call First
Ask....

• Is there an opening for my child?
   
• What hours and days are you open and where are you located?
   
• How much does care cost? Is financial assistance available?
   
• How many children are in your care?
   
• What age groups do you serve?
   
• Do you provide transportation?
   
• Do you provide meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks)?
   
• Do you have a license, accreditation, or other certification?
   
• When can I come to visit?

• Responsive, nurturing, warm interactions between caregiver and children.
   
• Children who are happily involved in daily activities and comfortable with their caregiver.
   
• A clean, safe, and healthy indoor and outdoor environment, especially napping, eating and toileting areas.
   
• A variety of toys and learning materials, such as books, puzzles, blocks, and climbing equipment, that your child will find interesting and which will contribute to their growth and development.
   
• Children getting individual attention.

Ask....

• Can I visit at any time?
   
• How do you handle discipline?
   
• What do you do if a child is sick?
   
• What would you do in case of an emergency?
   
• What training have you (and other staff/substitutes) had?
   
• Are all children and staff required to be immunized?
   
• May I see a copy of your license or other certification?
   
• Do you have a substitute or back-up caregiver?
   
• May I have a list of parents (current and former) who have used your care?
   
• Where do children nap? Do you know that babies should go to sleep on their backs?

2. Check References
Ask other parents....

• Was the caregiver reliable on a daily basis?
   
• How did the caregiver discipline your child?
   
• Did your child enjoy the child care experience?
   
• How did the caregiver respond to you as a parent?
   
• Was the caregiver respectful of your values and culture?
   
• Would you recommend the caregiver without reservation?
   
• If your child is no longer with the caregiver, why did you leave?

• What regulations should child care providers meet in my area?
   
• Is there a record of complaints about the child care provider I am considering and how do I find out about it?

• Which child care should I choose so that my child will be happy and grow?
   
• Which caregiver can meet the special needs of my child?
   
• Are the caregiver’s values compatible with my family’s values?
   
• Is the child care available and affordable according to my family’s needs and resources?
   
• Do I feel good about my decision?

• How can I arrange my schedule so that I can...
   
  • Talk to my caregiver every day?
     
  • Talk to my child every day about how the day went?
     
  • Visit and observe my child in care at different times of the day?
     
  • Be involved in my child’s activities?
     
• How can I work with my caregiver to resolve issues and concerns that may arise?
   
• How do I keep informed about my child’s growth and development while in care?
   
• How can I promote good working conditions for my child care provider?
   
• How can I network with other parents?

Legal:

Please note that the child care providers listed with TLC Child Care Locators (ChildCareCenters.org) are listings only and are not recommendations.  The information provided by TLC Child Care Locators is believed to have come from reliable sources, including the facilities themselves or those open to the public domain.  However, the facilities shown are listings only.  In no way does TLC Child Care Locators, any site partners, or any sponsors endorse, license, nor otherwise recommend lists found on TLC Child Care Locators Web Site.  TLC Child Care Locators exists as a first step for parents, and is not intended as a recommendation of any kind.  We encourage you to contact the sources themselves for the most accurate information.  We also encourage you to contact local Day Care Licensing Agencies to check records of Child Care Providers that you are considering.