Public Service Announcements
November 2002
CHILD CARE TIPS FOR PARENTS
PSA #1 - Parents, if you are looking for
child care for your child, try to find quality care. How do you find out?
Visit a program and spend time with the caregiver. Ask lots of questions.
See if the caregiver has training and is experienced. Caregivers in regulated
and licensed programs in Pennsylvania must earn at least six training
hours each year.
The Penn 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.
PSA #2 - When looking for quality child
care, take time to visit a program more than once at different times of
day. Watch the caregiver with the children. Does she treat each child
as a special person? If she is a home-based caregiver, see how she is
with her own children. What you see will give you insights into how your
child will be treated.
The Penn 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.
PSA #3 - Good child care providers welcome
visits from parents at any time. A daily schedule will be posted. Policies
will be written and you will receive a copy. After enrolling your child,
get to know the caregiver. Find out what your child does during the day.
Visit the center or home whenever you can.
The Penn 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.
PSA #4 -If
you are a working parent with a child in child care, the caregiver is
an important person in your life. Try not to take her for granted. She
spends many hours caring for and teaching your child. Most caregivers
also take some of their free time to earn training hours each year to
learn even more about caring for children.
The Penn 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.
PSA #5 -Everyone likes to be appreciated.
Show your child’s provider that you value what she does for your
child. Greet her with a smile and thank her each day. Offer to collect
and bring in materials needed for activities. Pay for your child care
on time. Find out when the caregiver’s birthday is and help your
child make a birthday card.
The Penn 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.
PSA #6 - One way child care providers can
do training at home is by going to the Better Kid Care Web site at
www.betterkidcare.psu.edu.
This Penn State Cooperative Extension program also offers snack and activity
ideas on its Web site and child care tips. There are links to other sites,
such as the Pennsylvania DPW site found at
www.childcare.state.pa.us.
The Better Kid Care site includes the Family Time/Work Time newsletter
for working parents and other information about children’s issues.
Nancy Wilson, Better Kid Care Program Specialist
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
November 2002
