How to Evaluate and Choose a Child Care Provider
What you need to know to make the right child care choice
Did
You Know? |
Children’s well-being and development suffer when they have poor quality care, and even an advantaged family background can’t protect them.
(Partners in Quality, Canadian Child Care Federation, 1999) |
- Because the first six years of life are crucial for children’s development;
- Because the parents of almost 800,000 children under the age of six were working or studying full time in 1996, and most of those children were in child care;
- Because children’s well-being and development suffer when they have poor quality care, and even an advantaged family background can’t protect them.
(G. Doherty, “Elements of Quality,” Research Connections Canada: Supporting Children and Families (Ottawa: Canadian Child Care Federation, 1999) vol. 1, 6.)
High quality child care is extremely important in the lives of children and families. It helps children to develop skills they will need for the rest of their lives; it supports families in their child-rearing role by providing a warm and nurturing environment for their children as well as knowledgeable and empathetic adults who are their willing partners in this enterprise; and it plays an important role in the community’s ability to support the business of living their lives.
(Partners in Quality Communities CCCF, 1999)
Quality child care should support a child’s emotional, social, intellectual and physical well being.
(CCCF Resource sheet #34)
Quality care involves a variety of factors that affect children, parents, staff, and caregivers. Adult-child ratio, group size, caregiver training and education, the curriculum, physical environment, interactions, parent involvement and relationships are among the aspects which need to be recognized as part of the child care environment. Many of these factors are identified in research which examines issues related to quality child care.
(Administering Early Childhood Settings The Canadian Perspective, Yeates, McKenna, Warberg, Chandler)
The following elements are important for quality child care:
- a caregiver who is warm, sensitive and responsive;
- a safe, healthy environment;
- activities that stimulate the child’s development;
- good communication between the parent and the provider;
- a child-rearing philosophy that matches the parent’s philosophy, especially where discipline is concerned.
(Partners in Quality Issues CCCF, 1999)
You will also want to look for the following in a caregiver:
- a sense of humour
- patience
- responsibility
- confidentiality
- good health
- lots of energy
- confidence
- creativity
- organization
As well you will want to look at the environment. The following should be considered:
- furniture for care, play and learning
- furniture for relaxation
- space for privacy
- space for gross motor activity
- room arrangement
- child-related display
Research shows that the most important ingredient of high-quality early education and care is the relationship between the teacher and the child.
Quoted in “Elements of Quality” 33.
Choosing child care is one of the most important decisions you will ever have to make. Before making that decision there are some things to consider. The following information includes items you should consider in your decision. For more information please
contact our office.
- What needs and priorities are important to you and your child? You may want to consider the following before you start your search.
- What days and hours of care do you require?
- Which location would you prefer the care to be close to; home, school or work?
- What is the best type of care for your child and family? (group setting, family setting)
- What fees can you afford?
- Are you eligible for a government subsidy?
- What qualifications do you want your child care provider to have?
- Do you want your child care provider to be a member of any child care organizations or support groups?
- Do you want your child care provider to be continuously upgrading herself by participating in child related training or workshops?
- What guidance methods do you and your child prefer?
Once you have considered the above information it is now time to find potential child care providers. Please refer to the
Find a Child Care Provider section on our website.
Now that you have received several names of child care providers or facilities, it is time to pick up the phone and call the names on your list. But before you do, you will want to jot down some of the questions you will want to ask over the phone. These questions could include any of the following:
- Are you licensed?
- If you are licensed, has your program ever been under investigation by the local health authority? Is your program currently being investigated?
- If you are not licensed, are you registered with the local Child Care Resource and Referral Program?
- How many children do you care for?
- What ages are the children in your care?
- What are your hours of operation? What days are you closed?
- What are your fees?
- What child care experience and training do you have?
- What do you do with the children over a typical day/week?
- Does your program have any special features?
- What are your arrangements for when you are ill or on holiday, or in case of emergency?
- Do you encourage parent involvement? Can I visit whenever I wish?
- Who supplies diapers, blankets, meals, or snacks?
- Do you accept children who require extra support? Why/Why not?
- Are you willing to adapt your program to meet the needs of a child who requires extra support?
- Can you give me at least two references, preferably of parents who have used your child care
setting?
- Does anyone in your child care setting smoke? (Note: Smoking is not permitted in licensed facilities).
What is your smoking policy when children are present?
- Do you have space available?
- If not:
- Is there a waiting list?
- How long is the waiting list?
Parent’s Guide to Selecting Child Care- Ministry of
Health |
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