Public Service Announcements
May 2003
CHILD CARE TIPS FOR PARENTS
PSA #1 - School will be over for the year
soon. Parents, do you have a plan for your school-age child this summer?
There are child care programs that are designed for older children, many
communities have a variety of day camps, and public libraries often have
summer reading programs. You need to choose something that is right for
your child.
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 a summer program
for your child, be sure it has activities that match his or her interests.
Do not send your child who is not interested in sports to a sports camp.
If your child’s passion is baseball, do not choose a music camp.
Child care programs should involve older children in planning the activities
and give them choices of what to do.
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 - A good child care program
will have lots of outdoor activities and times for active play. There
will also be shady places for some quiet activities. Children need both.
There should be drinking water available. Find out if there are enough
adults to supervise at all times.
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 -As the weather
improves, many child care providers take children for walks and on field
trips. Parents, make sure that you are notified ahead of time about each
outing that is planned and sign a permission slip. You should have the
option of making alternate planes for your child, if for any reason you
do not want your child to go on that particular outing.
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 -When taking the children on a field
trip or outing away from the center or home, child care providers need
to talk with the children ahead of time about what to expect and go over
safety rules. Extra adults need to go along to help, with children assigned
to each one. The adult needs to count the children frequently to be sure
no one is left behind. This is especially important when using a vehicle
for the field trip.
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 - Go to the Better Kid Care Web
site to find activities to do with your children. Read the newsletter
for working parents, Family Time/Work Time, for information for families.
Look up tips for caring for children. Find recipes to make some simple
snacks. All these and more can be found at
www.betterkidcare.psu.edu.
There are also links to other sites, including the DPW Web site at
www.childcare.state.pa.us
that has information for parents on 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
May 2003
