Selecting & Evaluating Quality Child Care Presented by

Objectives Learn the essentials of quality child care Assist in finding child care that meets your needs Offer suggestions on what to do when you cannot find availability Acquaint yourself with community resources 3 Discuss the different types of child care

Types of Child Care (Handout, Summary of Child Care in VA) Child Care Centers Family Day Homes Preschools

Child Care Centers LicensedReligious Exempt*Preschools

Family Day Homes Licensed Voluntarily Registered Locally Permitted Family Day Home System

Average Cost of Care This slide needs to be tailored to the locality

What’s the Difference? May or may not be licensed or regulated Smaller groups of children More flexible than center care Policies are set by caregiver Usually only one caregiver Often mixed age groups More 1 to 1 time Must be licensed or regulated Larger number of children Decreased flexibility Structured environment & curriculum Many caregivers Variety of daily activities & experiences Socialization Less 1 to 1 time Child Care Centers Family Day Homes

Objectives Discuss the different types of child care Learn the essentials of quality child care Assist in finding child care that meets your needs Offer suggestions on what to do when you cannot find availability Acquaint yourself with community resources 3

Key Indicators of Quality Center Care Health and Safety Small Group Size Low Staff: Child Ratios Accreditation and Quality Rating Caregiver Turnover Caregiver Qualifications (Handout: Choosing Child Care)

Lower number = Higher Quality Ensure child is not changing groups and caregivers Stable caregiver = sense of security Low ratio does NOT equal low group size Locked doors and visitor screening Safe classrooms Handwashing Number of children to adults Lower Number = Higher Quality Especially important for infants Health and Safety Small Group Size Low Staff: Child Ratios

Relationships are most important Educated Providers = Higher Quality Developmentally Appropriate Feelings of confusion and insecurity Consistency is critical for children Best to have same teacher for at least a year Higher quality Standards beyond licensing requirements NAEYC and NAFCC Virginia Quality Accreditation and Quality Rating Caregiver Turnover Caregiver Qualifications

Accessibility Quality Requires educated, highly trained workforce Exceeds minimum VA licensing standards of health and safety Affordability It’s expensive to run a quality center It reflects high-cost/low return business reality Cost of care contribute to severe lack of infant and toddler care throughout Virginia Access to quality care is limited Only 6% of programs in Virginia meet national accreditation standards. Access is important for a geographically dispersed workforce

Your child’s provider should be…. Attentive Respectful Good communication Positive Interactions Sensitive Understanding of child development Etc. Know what to look for!

The environment should have… Classroom Organization Age Appropriate Materials Safe Play Areas Healthy Practices

Objectives Discuss the different types of child care Learn the essentials of quality child care Assist in finding child care that meets your needs Offer suggestions on what to do when you cannot find availability Acquaint yourself with community resources

Start early and visit each provider Ask questions Stay involved Have back-up plan Have an Action Plan! Make your decision

Start early and visit each provider! Look in advance It takes time Schedule and appointment Stay for at least an hour Make notes Do drop in visit Etc.

Consistency Safety Procedures Family Visitation Special Needs Health Standards Staffing and Supervision Experience and Training Fees and Services References! Ask questions! ASK FOR HARD COPIES OF ALL POLICIES

Make your decision! Think about what you saw You are the best judge Think about quality, affordability, and accessibility Choose the best choice, not the most convenient Consult a trained child care specialist for referrals if needed Trust yourself!

Stay involved! Parents: Director Staff : Parents Director : Staff You and your child’s caregiver are partners! Have meetings regularly Offer to volunteer if possible Check in daily at drop-off and pick up Save serious problems for private meetings

Have a back-up plan! Plan ahead! Have more than one back- up option! Will your employer help? Back-up providers are important!

Objectives Discuss the different types of child care Educate you on the essentials of quality child care Assist in finding child care that meets your needs Offer suggestions on what to do when you can’t find availability Acquaint yourself with community resources 3

Different Work Routes Waiting Lists Did you encounter a roadblock? Networking Options Alternative Work Arrangements Include Other Types of Providers Develop a Temporary Plan! Contact Resource & Referral Agency

Objectives Discuss the different types of child care Educate you on the essentials of quality child care Assist in finding child care that meets your needs Offer suggestions on what to do when you cannot find availability Acquaint yourself with community resources 3

Resources and Programs Available Financial Assistance Options Special Needs Information Other Community Resources

State child care subsidy Provider Based Financial Assistance Employer/college assistance Pre-K programs Head Start/Early Head Start Tax credits Flexible spending accounts Military child care assistance Financial Assistance

Special Needs Identifying special need Finding providers that match need Waivers Head Start Connection

Other Community Resources Homeless Shelters WIC Offices Local DSS Offices Health and Dental Clinics Healthy Families America Circle of Parents

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