May 2006

Baby Talk

Are you a new parent thinking about returning to work? If so, there's child care to think about. It's important to find the best person to take care of your baby while you work!

Here are some guidelines to use when looking for child care for your baby:

Look around and don't take the first opening you hear about. Check out more than one child care before deciding. Visit more than once, at different times.
Spend time with the caregiver, ask lots of questions, and watch her with children.
Does the caregiver have child development training and experience with infants?
Is there a flexible schedule to meet each baby's needs?
Infants need times to be held and times to be in a safe area on the floor to move their arms and legs.
nfants need to be talked to throughout the day. Does the caregiver talk to the babies during feeding and diapering routines and at other times?
Are there lots of bright things to look at and sounds to hear? Infants learn from things they hear, see, smell, taste, and touch.
Check to see if the facility is safe and clean.
Find out about costs and what hours care is available.
See if parents are welcome to stop in, unannounced, at any time. Can you come for feedings?
Be sure you feel good about the child care. If not, keep on 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

Going Out? Watch Out!

During the warmer weather children spend more time outdoors at child care. This is healthy and good for children. Parents, find out about the outdoor activities, safety precautions, and check to see if the play area is safe at your child's child care.

Make sure that there are enough adults to supervise the children at all times. The caregiver should go over safety guidelines with the children before going outside. On sunny days, sunscreen with an SPF of 15 to 30, that you provide for your child, should be applied by the caregiver, according to directions on the package. You need to supply play clothes (include some extras) and a sun hat.

See if the outdoor play area is fenced. Is there a shady area for children to get out of the hot sun? The caregiver should take a first aid kit, drinking water, a cell phone and emergency numbers when going outdoors.

You should walk around the outside play area. Look for broken or rusty equipment, "S" hooks on swings that could injure a child, and things lying around such as trash, rusty nails, broken glass, etc. Find out if surfacing under play equipment meets national safety standards. Are sand boxes covered when not being used? Find out if the caregiver checks the outside play area daily before taking the children outdoors.

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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