January 2004

Getting It Right

Children of working parents spend many hours in child care each week. Because your child will develop and learn so much during the early years, your choice of a child care program is important. Take time to visit several to find the right one.

While visiting a child care center or family home, look around. Observe the caregiver with the children and ask lots of questions. Is the caregiver warm, caring, energetic, and patient? Well-trained caregivers understand what children need to develop new skills.

Is the facility bright and cheerful? It should be clean with well-organized materials and playthings accessible to the children. A daily schedule, with a variety of activities, should be posted. Is the children's artwork displayed? Make sure there is outdoor play on the schedule.

Take your child to visit the childcare program before making a final decision. See how she relates to the caregiver and other children.

Get references from parents with children enrolled in the program. Trust your instincts. If the program does not seem right for your child, keep looking.

The Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension Better Kid Care Program has information on children's issues for early childhood educators, child care providers, and parents on the Better Kid Care Web site at: www.betterkidcare.psu.edu

Helping Your Child Adjust To Child Care

Going to a new child care program is a big step for a child. Some take it in stride, others need assistance getting used to a new experience. Some things to do to help your child:

Talk about going to child care with your child. Explain that he will be going there while you are at work. Assure him that you will pick him up each day after work.
Take your child to the center or home for a short visit before dropping him off the first day. Show him where he will play, eat, and take naps. Talk about the kinds of things he will do at child care.
When leaving your child at child care, have a good-bye routine which is the same every day. Familiar routines help children feel secure.
Never sneak out without saying goodbye. Say one goodbye, then leave. Prolonged good-byes are difficult for children.
Send in a favorite toy or stuffed animal from home. Sometimes looking at a family photo can help a child get through the day.
Talk with the caregiver and decide together what will be most helpful for your child.

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Nancy Wilson, Better Kid Care Program Assistant
Penn State Better Kid Care Program
253 Easterly Parkway
State College, PA 16801
e-mail: naw6@psu.edu
Phone: 814-863-5880
Fax: 814-865-7893