Public Service Announcements
April 2003
childcare TIPS FOR PARENTS
PSA #1 - Are you a working parent needing
childcare? If so, start looking early and visit some programs. Visit
a program more than once, at different times of day. Ask for references.
See if the program is registered or licensed. If not, why not? The Penn
State University Cooperative Extension Better Kid Care Program has information
on children's issues for early childhood educators, childcare providers,
and parents on the Better Kid Care web site at
www.betterkidcare.psu.edu.
PSA #2 - Parents, while visiting a
childcare center or home program, look around and ask lots of questions.
Sit down with the children to view the room from your child’s perspective.
Does it look clean and safe? Are there interesting toys and books where
the children can reach them? Observe the caregiver with the children.
Do they seem to enjoy each other?
The Penn State University Cooperative Extension Better Kid Care Program
has information on children's issues for early childhood educators, childcare providers, and parents on the Better Kid Care web site at
www.betterkidcare.psu.edu.
PSA #3 - When checking out a childcare program for your child, find out if the caregiver’s views on
teaching children match yours. Is there a daily schedule posted? See what
activities are listed. After visiting a program, if you feel it is a good
place for your child to be while you are at work, sign up right away!
If not, keep on looking.
The Penn State University Cooperative Extension Better Kid Care Program
has information on children's issues for early childhood educators, childcare providers, and parents on the Better Kid Care web site at
www.betterkidcare.psu.edu.
PSA #4 -A good childcare program has a warm, loving caregiver and is a place where your child
can be safe and nurtured while you are working. A quality program will
have a caregiver who is trained in child development and knows what skills
a child needs to be ready for school. The program should be licensed or
registered to meet health and safety standards.
The Penn State University Cooperative Extension Better Kid Care Program
has information on children's issues for early childhood educators, childcare providers, and parents on the Better Kid Care web site at
www.betterkidcare.psu.edu.
PSA #5 -Parents have a big role to play
in childcare. Children do better when parents and caregivers work as
a team. Daily communication is important. Unannounced visits from parents
should be welcome. Show you are interested in what is going on. The quality
of childcare improves when parents insist on it. It is a win-win situation
for children!
The Penn State University Cooperative Extension Better Kid Care Program
has information on children's issues for early childhood educators, childcare providers, and parents on the Better Kid Care web site at
www.betterkidcare.psu.edu.
PSA #6 - Better Kid Care, a Cooperative
Extension Program at Penn State, has a Web site with information for parents,
childcare providers, and employers. It can be reached at
www.betterkidcare.psu.edu.
There are childcare tips for parents, resources for caregivers, snack
and activity ideas, and monthly newsletters for working parents. You can
find resources to help children cope with disasters and the Cooperative
Extension publication Toddler Topics. Links to other sites include the
PA DPW site at
www.childcare.state.pa.us.
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
April 2003
