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Identifying Quality Child Care: Parent Tools
Links to sections on this page:
- How to Use Your Parent Toolkit
- Importance of High Quality Child Care
- Indicators of High Quality Child Care
- Child to Adult Ratios
- Training for Caregivers
- What Does it Mean to be Licensed
- Online Choosing Child Care Class
- Making Your Decision
Click here to view a PDF version of the Choosing Child Care: Parent Toolkit.
How to Use Your Parent Toolkit
Step 1
Read this page to familize yourself with some basic child care information.
Step 2
Interview the child care providers over the phone using the questions on the Selecting Child Care page.
Step 3
Visit the child care homes or programs, using the checklist from the Parent Toolkit (pdf).
Step 4
Check references given by the provider, using questions on the Selecting Child Care page.
Step 5
Make your decision. Review general contract guidelines.
Step 6
Prepare for the transition to child care. Read Making Child Care Work .
Importance of High Quality Child Care
When it comes to looking for child care, you want the best for your child. Research shows that high quality child care can have a positive impact on a child’s overall development. Finding high quality child care is very important for your child’s well-being.
Most programs and providers are licensed by the state of Minnesota. Licensed child care programs are expected to meet basic requirements, providing settings that are safe and healthy, and staffed by adults who have some training or experience in caring for children. However, these licensing standards are basic guidelines and do not ensure high quality care. You must rely on your own assessment to determine the quality of care.
What should you look for in a high quality program? Child care experts have determined some distinguishing features of high quality programs. The Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network* has developed this toolkit to help you assess the quality of the child care programs you are considering for your child.
* This toolkit was made possible through a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Special thanks to all who contributed to the development of this resource. Portions have been adapted with permission from Your Guide to Choosing Child Care: A Resource Kit produced by the Greater Minneapolis Day Care Association and the Child Care Checklist produced by Lakes and Prairies CCR&R.
Indicators of High Quality Child Care
Caregivers have training in child development.
Training in child development is very important. The caregiver should understand how children develop, their stages of growth and their behavior at various ages. Although specialized training is a key indicator of quality, it's best to look for a provider who has both training and experience.
Group size is small.
Children benefit from the individual attention possible in smaller groups. State licensing rules set standards for how many children of various ages may be cared for by one adult. However, some licensed homes and centers care for fewer children or have more adults to attend to children in smaller groups.
The program is focused on children's needs.
The high quality program is responsive to each child. Caregivers are prepared to meet children's physical, social, intellectual and emotional needs as the children grow and change. Differences among children's cultures and needs are respected and celebrated.
The care is consistent.
Consistent care from a sensitive, responsive caregiver is the foundation for healthy development, building the child's security, confidence and a sense of well-being. The presence of a regular caregiver and minimal turnover in staff are essential elements of high quality child care.
Child to Adult Ratios: Licensed Child Care in Minnesota
Click here to view a PDF version of the Child to Adult Ratios pamphlet.
Age Definitions
Family and Group Family Child Care Homes Licenses
- Infants – 6 weeks to 11 months
- Toddlers – 12 to 24 months (30 months for B.1, B.2 and D licenses)
- Preschoolers – 24-30 months to Kindergarten
- School-age – Kindergarten to 11 years (or after May 10, if child is eligible to attend Kindergarten that fall)
Child Care Centers, Preschools and School-Age Program Licenses
- Infants – 6 weeks to 15 months
- Toddlers – 16 to 32 months
- Preschoolers – 33 months to first day of Kindergarten
- School-age– Kindergarten to 12 years
Family Child Care Homes
Licensed capacity includes the provider’s own children as well as school-age children (under 11 years of age) who attend on a part-time basis. Variations in licensed capacity may be granted upon approval by licensing. See chart above for definitions of age groupings.
LICENSE A - 10 children : 1 adult
Of the 10 children, 6 may be below kindergarten age. Up to 3 children may be below the age of 2, and of those 3, no more than 2 may be infants.
LICENSE B.1 - 5 children : 1 adult
(Specialized Infant/Toddler* License)
Of the 5 children, 3 may be below kindergarten age. No
more than 3 infants and/or toddlers.
LICENSE B.2 - 6 children : 1 adult
(Specialized Infant/Toddler* License)
Of the 6 children, 4 may be below kindergarten age.
No more than 4 children may be below the age of
2-1/2. Of these 4, there may be no more than 2 infants.
Group Child Care Homes
LICENSE C.1 - 10 children : 1 adult
Of the 10 children, 8 may be below kindergarten age. Up to 3 children may be below the age of 2, and of those 3, no more than 2 may be infants.
LICENSE C.2 - 12 children : 1 adult
Of the 12 children, 10 may be below kindergarten age. Up to 2 children may be below the age of 2, and of those 2, only 1 may be an infant.
LICENSE C.3 - 14 children : 2 adults
Of the 14 children, 10 may be below kindergarten age. Up to 4 children may be below the age of 2, and of those 4, no more than 3 may be infants.
LICENSE D - 9 children : 2 adults
(Specialized Infant/Toddler* License)
Of the 9 children, 7 may be below the age of 2-1/2,
and of those 7, no more than 4 may be infants.
Child Care Centers, Preschools and School-Age Programs
- 4 Infants : 1 Adult
- 7 Toddlers : 1 Adult
- 10 Preschoolers : 1 Adult
- 15 School-Age : 1 Adult
Training for Caregivers
Training and professional development of caregivers are key indicators of high quality child care. This ensures that the caregiver understands how children develop, their stages of growth and their behavior at various ages.
Training for Licensed Providers
Caregivers in licensed child care homes and centers/preschools/school-age programs are required to take training each year. These requirements may be fulfilled by attending workshops or conferences, completing coursework through an online class or by taking college courses.
Family child care home
- No minimum education/training is required to obtain a license.
- First aid and CPR training must be completed within the first year, followed by a refresher course one year later.
- Six hours of training are required each year; topics may include child development, business practices, health and safety, age-appropriate activities, curriculum planning, etc.
- SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) training is required every five years and is required before providing infant care.
Child care center/preschool/school-age program
- Education and training requirements are based on the teaching position (aide, assistant teacher, head teacher) and previous experience working with children. Training requirements range from GED to college-level coursework.
- Teachers must complete up to 40 hours of training annually based on their position and number of hours worked; some training must be in child development.
- Teachers and assistants must have first aid training, repeated every three years.
- SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) training is required every five years.
- There must be one CPR-certified staff member on site whenever children are present.
Training for Unlicensed Providers
School-age program — Programs set their own training requirements.
Family/Friends/Neighbors (legally unlicensed home) — First
aid training is required if care is subsidized by the county. No additional
training is required.
In-home care/nanny — Training may not be required.
What Does It Mean to Be Licensed?
Child care licensing by the state of Minnesota is aimed at protecting the health, safety and well-being of children. Family child care homes and child care centers have differing sets of licensing requirements.
A license does not assure quality. A licensed child care provider is required to meet minimum standards. The quality of licensed programs can vary greatly. You should carefully screen every program, whether licensed or not, to be sure it is the best for your child.
The licensing agency has the following responsibilities:
- Performs criminal background checks on family child care providers and anyone in their homes 13 years of age or older, and the staff of child care centers.
- Inspects homes and centers to identify and correct health and safety hazards.
- Requires programs to serve well-balanced meals and snacks.
- Requires activities that are suitable for the age of the child.
- Requires a record of each child’s immunizations.
- Requires child care providers to take training classes to improve their knowledge and skills.
- Sets minimum standards for the number of adults who must be present with groups of children.
If You are Considering an Unlicensed Provider
Because unlicensed providers do not have to meet state standards, it is important to ask the provider some additional questions. These include:
- How many children are in your care?
- What types of food do you serve?
- Who are the other adults who will be around my child?
- Have you received any training such as child development, CPR and first aid?
- Have you completed a home safety check?
National Child Care Standards
Some licensed child care programs have met national standards of quality that are more rigorous than Minnesota licensing rules. These programs/providers take extra training and pass tests to receive national recognition. For a current list of programs that have achieved these accreditations call your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency.
Choosing Child Care Class Availablie Online!
Want more information, tips and resources for choosing child care? Want to share experiences and get support from other parents? We have a convenient, affordable class for you.
Eager-to-Learn is an online education program of the Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network offering:
- A wide variety of classes for families and child care providers
- Qualified, experienced instructors and facilitators
- Technical support and free orientation classes
- Affordable fees
Visit Eager-to-Learn at http://etl.mnchildcare.org for more information or call 651-746-4024.
Making Your Decision
Review the information you have gathered in each step. Call back if you have any unanswered questions. Trust your instincts. It’s okay to be a choosy parent.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- What is my overall impression of each program?
- Will my child be happy there?
- Do I feel comfortable there? Does my child feel comfortable?
- How will my child fit in with the routine and with the other children?
- Do the providers seem to care about my child as an individual?
- Do I feel welcome and valued?
- Am I going to feel comfortable leaving my child each day?
- Do I have any doubts?
- What did the references tell me?
If you are not comfortable with the programs you have considered, keep looking. Call your local Child Care Resource & Referral agency for additional names of providers.
If a program that you like is full, consider putting your name on a waiting list in case your current program does not work out.
Once you have made your decision, notify the provider that you would like to enroll. As a courtesy, notify the other providers you were considering that you will not be using their programs.
The Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network is a member of the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies and is funded in part by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. |
To connect to your local Resource and Referral agency: 1-888-291-9811 Minnesota Child Care Resource & Referral Network Email: info@mnchildcare.org © 2008 Minnesota Child Care Resource & Referral Network
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