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Is this the
right place for
my child?
Choosing child care
Links to sections on this page:
- Parents' Stories
- The Checklist This information is also available as an e-brochure with graphics, a printable version and the PDF brochure.
The parent checklist items listed in this guide are based on research about what is important in order for children to be protected and well cared for in a group child care setting. The checklist, created by the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, will help you know what to look for and ask to find out if the program you are considering will be a safe, healthy and happy place for your child.
Parents' Stories
Parents across Minnesota are looking for child care options which fit their needs and help their children learn and grow. Several Minnesota parents share their experiences searching for child care:
“Finding good care for my kids was not just a matter of finding someone to watch them while I was at work. It was also finding a caring place where they could learn and feel safe. I wanted them to feel important and some daycares wanted this too. At each visit, I asked myself, ‘Do the kids here seem happy?’ and ‘Do the teachers seem happy and do they want to meet my children?’”
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“I know my child best and know what will work best for her in terms of child care. It helped to have the parent checklist on hand as well to learn more about what all children need and what will help her get the most out of her time with these teachers.”
— Molly Jensen, mother of Johanna
“This was a scary process at first but learning
about what we could expect was helpful. When I learned how
important the first few years of life are for my child’s lifelong
learning, I felt it was important to find the best
place we could. I read over the parent checklist and asked
some of the questions at each visit. I feel good about
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The Checklist
Child Care Program options
Unless otherwise noted, the Checklist items apply to any child care setting.
Useful terms and child care types
Supervision
Will my child be supervised?
- Are children watched at all times, including when they are sleeping?
- Are adults warm and welcoming?
- Do they pay individual attention to each child?
- Are clear and simple safety rules established with the children?
- Do adults focus on the positive and redirect behavior rather than yelling, spanking, or using other negative punishments?
- Are there enough staff-members to supervise all children (see the recommended guidelines for adult-to-child ratios)?
Training
Have the adults been trained to care for children?
For a child care center (a program offering care in a community
center, place of worship or other facilities):
- Does the director have a degree and some experience in caring for children?
- Do the teachers have a credential or an early childhood-related degree and experience in caring for children?
- Are all adults continuing to receive early childhood-related training or education?
For family child care (care offered in the caregiver's home):
- Has the provider had specific training on children’s development and experience caring for children?
- Is the provider continuing to receive early childhood-related training or education?
For child care center AND family child care home:
- Is there always someone present who has current CPR and first aid training?
- Is there always someone present who has current SIDS and Shaken Baby Syndrome training?
- Have the adults received training specific to my child’s age and needs?
- Are the adults willing to seek out such training?
- Have the adults been trained on child abuse prevention?
- Are the adults willing to seek out such training?
Learning
Will my child be able to grow and learn?
- Are there specific areas for different kinds of play (blocks, puzzles, art, dress-up etc.)?
- Is the play space organized and are toys and materials easy to reach and use?
- Are toys age-appropriate?
- Are some toys and materials available at all times and are some rotated?
- Are there daily or weekly activity plans available?
- Have the adults planned experiences for my child to enjoy?
- Will my child be engaged in conversations with adults throughout the day which are appropriate to his/her age?
- Will my child be asked questions, when appropriate, and encouraged to speak and communicate?
- Will my child be read to at least twice a day and encouraged to read or explore books on his or her own?
Health and Safety
Is this a safe and healthy place for my child?
- Do adults and children wash their hands (after using the bathroom, changing diapers, eating etc.)?
- Are diaper changing surfaces cleaned and disinfected after each use?
- Do all of the children enrolled have the required immunizations?
- Are medicines labeled and out of children’s reach?
- Is there a system in place to ensure children are given the correct medication?
- Are cleaning supplies and other poisonous materials locked up, out of children’s reach?
- Is there a plan to follow if a child is injured, sick or lost?
- Are first aid kits readily available?
- Is there a plan for responding to disasters (fire, flood etc.)?
- Is the outdoor play area a safe place for children to play?
- Is the equipment the right size and type for the age of the children who use it?
- In center-based programs, is the playground area surrounded by a fence at least four feet tall?
- Is the equipment placed on mulch, sand or rubber matting?
- Is the equipment in good condition?
- Is the number of children in each group limited?
Smaller group size has been shown to be an important indicator of quality.
Management
Is the program well-managed?
- Is the program’s license in good standing with the state or local agencies who oversee licenses?
- Are parents and/or staff asked to evaluate the program?
- How many training hours do the program staff take each year? Receiving ongoing training has been found to be an important step in providing excellent care.
- Is the program accredited by a national organization? Accreditation means that this child care/early education program has been recognized by a leading national organization as a provider of excellent care.
Communication
Does the program work closely with parents?
- Will I be welcome any time my child is in care?
- Is parents’ feedback sought and used in making program improvements?
- Will I be given a copy of the program’s policies?
- Will I be given a contract signed by the caregiver?
- Are annual conferences held with parents?
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: (888) 291-9811 Minnesota Child Care Resource & Referral Network Email: info@mnchildcare.org © 2009 Minnesota Child Care Resource & Referral Network
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