Assessing Your Child Care Arrangement
Even if your child has been in child care for a while, it’s good to take time to evaluate the care your child is receiving once in a while to make sure it is the quality your child deserves. Here are some ways you can do this:
- Drop in for a visit at different times of day, but expect the caregiver to continue giving her full attention to the children.
- Look for the daily schedule to see if there are both active and quiet activities each day.
- Are the scheduled activities right for the age and abilities of your child?
- Are the children actively involved and not watching television or movies?
- The daily schedule should include outdoor time. Children benefit from time outdoors and when dressed appropriately should go out, except in extreme weather.
- Does the caregiver get down to the children’s level and talk directly with them?
- Do you hear laughter and see the children having fun?
- Is there lots of hands-on play and chances to explore things?
- Are you given a Child Service Report every six months that describes your child’s growth and development? This is a new state requirement for Pennsylvania and parents must sign a copy when they are given one.
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.
How Does Your Child Feel About Child Care?
Parents, one way to find out what child care is like is to ask your child. Listen to your child and learn what it’s like at child care for her. If you are not happy with your child’s opinion, you might want to check further and maybe even start looking for new child care.
Here are some things to check on:
- Does your child feel welcome at the child care?
- Does she feel part of the group?
- Does the caregiver make your child feel comfortable and explain how to do things?
- Are the children’s opinions valued?
- Does your child interact well with the other children?
- Are the activities interesting and meaningful for your child? Do they involve your child doing things rather than just being entertained by television or video games?
- Is your child eager to go to child care each day?
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.
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Nancy Wilson, Better Kid Care Program Specialist
Penn State Better Kid Care Program
253 Easterly Parkway
State College, PA 16801
Phone: 814-863-5880
Fax: 814-865-7893
January/February 2009
