Child Care Links Choosing Child Care

Choosing child care is a difficult task--and one that only you, the parent, can do. Child Care Links: Child Care Resource and Referral Center of Baltimore County, a local non-profit educational organization, understands and is able to support you in making these decisions. Choosing Child Care: A Guide to Help You Make the Right Choice is provided by Child Care Links: Child Care Resource and Referral Center of Baltimore County and its LOCATE: Child Care counselors.

Child Care Links' LOCATE: Child Care counselors can provide information on child care options and regulations and a free list of referrals to child care programs and providers located near your home, work, school or bus route. They are available at 410-288-5600.

The following information provides helpful information you can use when choosing an appropriate child care arrangement for your family:

Follow the steps outlined and contact a Child Care Links' LOCATE: Child Care counselor at 410-288-5600 for a list of child care programs and providers in your area or if you have any questions.

1. Call
Call all the names of the homes or centers on your list. A good time to call is between 1:00 and 3:00 in the afternoon. Let them know you received their names from Child Care Links' LOCATE: Child Care and that you are looking for care for your child. Mention your child's age. Below you will find some questions that you may want to ask. As you ask these questions, take notes on the information you collect.

Telephone Questions

• What time do you open and close?
• How many children do you care for and what are the ages of the children in your program?
• Are the groups small enough to provide one-on-one attention to each child during the day?
• Do you serve meals or do I need to bring my child's own food?
• When I have the time, can I stay and see my child play?
• I would like to come and visit your home (or center). What day and time would be best? Please give me some directions (if needed).

2. Visit
Visit at least three programs. Take your child with you. When you go, look at the area, the caregiver(s), and the children. Below you will find a list of things to check:

Look at the Area

• Does it look clean and safe for every age child there? For example, is there a crib for each infant?
• Is there enough space inside and out so all the children can have room to play?
• Do the toys and materials support different types of play, such as imaginative play, building projects, and arts and crafts?
• Is there a time and place for both quiet and active play?
• Ask to see the provider's license.

Look at the Caregiver

• Does the caregiver seem happy to meet your child?
• Does the caregiver use a calm voice and talk to the children on their level?
• How does the caregiver discipline the children? Are you comfortable with the way the caregiver disciplines the child? Does the caregiver praise accomplishments and help resolve conflicts?
• Does the caregiver seem to enjoy and respect the children?
• If your child is an infant, does the caregiver connect with your baby by gently holding and talking to the baby? Will the baby get attention when she/he is not crying?
• Do I feel good about leaving my child with this person?

Look at the Children

• Do the children look happy? Are they playing nicely?
• Are the children doing activities that suit their age and stage of development? Activities that are too hard will be discouraging, but children learn from new activities that are interesting and a little bit challenging.
• Are they given a chance to make choices about activities that interest them?
• Do the children have a daily schedule which allows for indoor and outdoor play, nap time if appropriate, and time for both individual play and group activities?
• Are the infants held and talked to in a reassuring way that will help them learn to trust that their needs will be met?
• Can I picture my child playing happily here?

3. Ask
Ask the caregiver if you may talk with other parents who use that home or center. Get several names and phone numbers and call these parents. (If the center is not able to give you this information, you may want to go by the center at drop-off time in the morning or pick-up time in the afternoon to talk with some parents.) Here are some questions that might help you.

Questions for Other Parents

• Are you happy with your child's care?
• Does your child enjoy going there?
• What do you like the most about this child care?
• What are some of the things that you don't like?
• If you had to find care again, would your child still go there?

4. Decide
Decide which day care home (or center) seems the best for you and your child.

• Go over your notes from all the questions you have asked.
• If you feel unsure about a program, visit again.
• If you are unhappy with all the choices, call a Child Care Links' LOCATE: Child Care counselor again for more names. If care is hard to find, you may need to try a new area.

5. Act
Act on the suggestions provided below, which are designed to help build a sound long-term relationship between you and the provider. They will help you feel good about the care you have chosen.

• Sign a contract before you start care. This helps you and the caregiver avoid surprises. These are items to include in your contract:

The hours the program opens and closes.
The days the program will be closed for holidays and vacations..
The things you will need to bring to the program.

• Get involved: It is the best way to feel comfortable in a new program. Most centers have parent groups that meet on a regular bases. Or, you can help with arts and crafts projects or bring in snacks for parties. Get to know the teachers and other parents. You can help make this new experience a happy one for everyone.
• If you are pleased with the care your child receives, tell the provider! Good parent/provider communication benefits your child and is the key to a healthy relationship.

6. Help/Complaints

• Help is just a phone call away. If you have any questions, call Child Care Links LOCATE: Child Care at 410-288-5600.
• If you have concerns about the way your child is treated, speak to the caregiver. Feel free also to call a Child Care Links' LOCATE: Child Care counselor as a resource for more information. If you feel the program is not operating according to regulations, contact your Maryland Department of Human Resources' Regional Child Care Administration office.
• Complaints that involve any threat to the health, safety or welfare of a child should be immediately registered with your Regional Child Care Administration office and, in certain circumstances, with the Child Protective Services division of your local department of social services. 

Looking for child care or after-school activities in Baltimore County or elsewhere in Maryland? Search the databases below:

Child Care Links: LOCATE Child Care is a part of the Maryland Child Care Resource Network. The Network is administered by the Maryland Committee for Children under a contract with the Maryland Department of Human Resources.

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