Daycare
Types of Daycare
- Family Home Daycare: You take your child to the home of the caregiver. Be sure there are enough caregivers and the house has been child-proofed.
- Day Care Centers: These providers care for a larger number of children at designated facilities.
- In Home Daycare: The caregiver comes to your home
- Drop-in Daycare: Used only when occasional care is needed.
Be prepared to ask your daycare provider questions.
- Is the facility licensed/accredited and meet state regulations?
- Are the caregivers qualified? Do they have a degree in child development? Be sure to check the caregivers background , training and references.
- Are there enough adults to meet the children's needs? Check the websites below for current recommendations on the adult to child ratio.
- Once your child has started and had time to adjust, how are they doing? It is important to stay involved with your child's day care or provider. Meet with them on a regular basis, and drop in to see how your child is doing.
- Is it a safe environment?
You may help adjust your child to a new childcare arrangement by visiting the center for a short time while you are still home or having them meet the provider before the care begins.
For more information you may call our office or start by looking at the American Academy of Pediatrics website at www.aap.org or www.aap.org/advocacy/hcca.htm. Also visit the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education. Visit its "Healthy Kids, Healthy Care website at www.healthykids.us or call 1-800-598-KIDS (1800-598-5437). This site offers a parent's guide, state licensing regulations and more.