Finding and Choosing Child Care

When choosing child care, it is best to look at several different child care facilities. What is good for other children may not be the best for your child. You will need to compare price, hours, program, and location of different child care options. There are several different types of child care options including:

• center-based child care
• family child care
• in-home child care
• before and after school child care.

If possible, both parents should participate in the child care selection process. Your child should be present for at least some of the time while you observe and interview caregivers.

When choosing child care you should:

• Meet with the directors and staff or caregiver to discuss your expectations.
• Spend an hour or two observing active and quiet activities at all facilities you are seriously considering.
• Review the licensing files, if possible.
• Talk with other parents from the facilities.
• Above all, trust your instincts and ask questions.

What is center-based child care?

Child care centers provide an organized group setting away from home. Most centers take children 3 to 5 years of age who are toilet-trained. Some have infant or toddler nurseries for children younger than 3.

Preschools and child care centers can be commercially owned or sponsored by an organization such as a church. Your employer may have an on-site day care center.

Advantages:

• Usually has planned, formal program of activities and greater variety of play materials.
• Caregivers are usually trained and experienced in child development.
• Licensing is required, ensuring minimum health, safety and enrollment standards.
• Usually less expensive than in-home care.
• Your child receives the stimulation of other children.
• Generally open 12 hours per day year-round and full- or half-day schedules available (nursery schools usually open half-days and closed same months as regular school).
• Closures due to caregiver being ill is unlikely.
• Staff is supervised.

Disadvantages:

• Your child may be less comfortable in a formal group setting than in an informal home environment.
• Your child may not receive as much attention as in-home or family care.
• You may need to commit to year-round day care even if your needs are irregular.
• You may need to pay a registration fee.
• The center hours and days may not suit your needs.
• Your child cannot receive care if sick.
• This is usually more expensive than family child care.

What is family child care?

Family child care is an arrangement in which your child is cared for in someone else's home. The caregiver is often a mother with small children. The caregiver looks after 1 to 6 children in her own home.

Advantages:

• Provides home-like environment (especially important for infants and toddlers).
• Greater flexibility regarding ages than most centers (may take infants and toddlers).
• May be licensed by the state, ensuring minimum health, safety, and enrollment standards.
• Relatively inexpensive arrangement.
• Your child is in a smaller group of children.
• Greater flexibility regarding hours than most centers.

Disadvantages:

• Your child may not receive as much personal attention as in-home care.
• The caregiver will not always be available (illness, vacation).
• The caregiver may stop providing services abruptly.
• The caregiver may not have appropriate training or experience.
• The caregiver may not be able to offer the array of opportunities provided by center-based care.
• The caregiver is not supervised directly.

What is in-home child care?

Someone comes into, or lives in, your home. The caregiver may be a friend, neighbor, relative, or someone unfamiliar. You could hire someone for half-day, all-day, or before or after school.

Advantages:

• Provides stable surroundings. This is especially suitable for infants and toddlers.
• Your child should receive ample, personal attention.
• May be the most economical option for 3 or more children.

Disadvantages:

• Relatively difficult to find.
• May be the most expensive option for 1 or 2 children.
• You are responsible for all fees, taxes, social security, and sometimes benefits.
• The caregiver will not always be available (illness, vacation), and turnover may be high.
• Your child may not get the stimulation of other children.
• The caregiver may not have appropriate training or experience.

What is before- and after-school child care?

Before and after child care is generally available for children 6 to 12 years of age. This type of child care is usually connected with a day care center, school, or community agency, but may be provided in a home setting. This type of child care typically offers a change of pace from a structured school routine. It is generally open on days and hours public schools are not in session. Arrangements tend to be flexible and based on family's needs.

Where do I find information about child care in my area?

You can find information about child care options from:

• State Department of Social Services, Human Services, or Health (list of licensed day care homes)
• United Way (information and referral services)
• YMCA/YWCA
• Religious organizations
• Child development departments of local colleges
• School counselor (before and after school care)
• Your employer
• Telephone book ("Child Care, Camps, Nanny Services, Schools - Preschool")
• Junior League
• PTA
• Local child care council
• Pediatrician
• Newspaper/bulletin board ads
• Word-of-mouth (friends, relatives, other parents).

For child care standards see:

National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care

Web site: http://nrc.uchsc.edu/