Choosing a Child Care Center

Choosing child care is a tough job for any parent. First you need to decide which type of child care (in-home caregiver, family child care, center-based) seems right for you and your child. It helps to look around and see different kinds of care firsthand before making a choice. (Keep in mind that children might “graduate” from one type of care to another as they grow older.) Following are some considerations to help you determine whether a child care center would work for you and your child:

• Centers often provide more structured programs than family child care providers or in-home caregivers.
• Centers usually have a larger staff and more children than other types of child care, which gives children more people to interact with.
• State regulations require teachers in child care centers to have a certain number of early childhood education (ECE) units, as opposed to family child care providers or in-home caregivers who need no ECE units.
• Few centers take children under two years of age.
• Centers are usually less flexible about their hours and rules than other types of care.

Looking For Care

If you decide you want to look at child care centers, ask us for referrals. Make an appointment before visiting. If possible, visit first without your child. Then, after you have narrowed your choices, visit again with your child. We at BANANAS often hear the question: “How will I know when I’ve found the ‘right’ program?” Following are some suggestions to help answer that question:

First Impressions

• What were your first impressions (feelings and thoughts) about the center?
• Did these impressions change after being there a while? (Try to visit in the late afternoon or during a transition time, e.g., when children move from a group activity to snack, then to an outdoor activity.)
• Did children and staff seem to be enjoying themselves?

Physical Setting

• Is the center attractive? Well lighted?
• Does it feel like there is adequate space for the number of children – both inside and out?
• Do there seem to be enough toys and equipment?
• Does the center have clearly marked fire exits? Does the program have a written emergency plan?
• Are there any unsafe conditions?

Program

• Does the center have an overall philosophy about children and child development?
• How many children are in the program? Although you should be checking that the center is not exceeding its licensed capacity, you also need to look for the number of children who are in each group or class. By dividing the children into smaller groups, a large center creates a better learning environment
• Ask for the daily schedule and check if there are a variety of activities, such as circle (“teaching”) time, free play, outdoor time? Can a child choose?
• Are small group and/or one-to-one adult-child activities part of the regular schedule?
• What methods of discipline are used? Are you comfortable with the discipline approaches you observe?
• What are the program guidelines about toilet training?
• Is there a nap or rest time, and if so, where do the children sleep? How does the program provide for nonsleepers?
• Are children encouraged to be active learners (finding things out for themselves) or passive learners (shown by the teacher)?

Meals

• Who provides the meals? If the center does, ask for a sample menu to see if meals are nutritious.
• Is the kitchen clean? Is there a refrigerator and microwave available if you have to pack and send lunch?
• What method is used for serving food? Do the children receive prefilled plates or do they eat family style? Do the teachers eat with the children?
• Is special food served for children with allergies or other restrictions, special diets or preferences?
• Does a child have to eat everything?

Staff Considerations

• What is the staff’s training and experience?
• Is there much staff turnover?
• Is the interaction between the staff and children warm and caring? Is staff attentive to the children?
• How many different people will care for your child during the day? (Try to meet most, if not all of them.)
• Who substitutes when staff is absent?
• Is the teaching staff diverse racially, culturally and genderwise to provide role models for all children?
• Does staff seem sensitive to your situation (e.g. single parent, same-sex parents, interracial background, etc.)?

Staff to Child Ratios

Programs must meet certain teacher-child and staff-child ratios. The ratios differ depending on the type of center and the ages of children served. (The highest adult to child ratio allowed for non-state funded centers is 1:4 for ages 0-2 years; 1:6 for ages 18-30 months; 1:12 for ages 2-4.9; and 1:14 for ages 4.9 and up). Ask the director or call BANANAS for more information on the specific ratios of a particular center. In addition to the required number of staff, see for yourself whether the staff appears able to deal effectively with the number of children enrolled.