Public Service Announcements
October 2003
CHILD CARE TIPS FOR PARENTS
PSA #1 - The big decision has been made.
Your child is going to child care. Take time to prepare yourself and your
child for this new experience. Arrange a short visit for your child to
meet the caregiver, so he can see where he will be spending time while
you are at work. Talk with him about it ahead of time.
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 enrolling your child in child
care, be sure to read over the contract and written policies before signing.
Ask questions about anything you do not understand. Keep copies for your
file. Make it a habit to review the policies regularly, so you do not
forget anything.
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 - Before signing your child up for
child care, be sure you find out the hours that care is available. Check
to see when payment is expected. Be clear about policies for sick days,
vacation days, and late fees. Show your willingness to work as a team
with your provider to help 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 #4 - Parents,
make sure to have a back-up plan for child care in case your child or
the caregiver is ill. There may also be times when the provider needs
time off for a vacation, family reasons, or business reasons. You do not
want to find yourself in a panic, if taking your child to child care is
suddenly not possible that day.
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 - Unless your child care center or
home is set up to take care of sick children, keep your child home if
she is ill. Sick children need extra attention. See if there is a friend,
relative, or neighbor who would be willing to help out on a temporary
basis. Check with your employer to see if you can use your sick days to
care for an ill child. Can you adjust your working hours temporarily when
needed at home?
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 - Visit the Penn State
Cooperative Extension Better Kid Care Web site for information about children’s
issues and child care. Parents and child care providers will find newsletters,
activity and snack ideas, child development charts, links to other sites,
and so much more by going to
www.betterkidcare.psu.edu.
Parents can find information about child care issues in the Pennsylvania
Department of Public Welfare Web site at:
www.childcare.state.pa.us.
If you have access to the internet, look up the Better Kid Care Web page
at
http://betterkidcare.psu.edu.
You will find information about children's issues, child care,
and links to other Web sites.
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
