|
Finding quality care for your infant/toddler is a very
important task. This information will help you solve the puzzle
for you and your family. Download a brochure and checklist to take with you when you visit a potential child care center.
Consider. Licensing
by the State of Ohio or Kentucky is required for child care
centers. If within Cincinnati city limits, it must also
be licensed by the City. Licensing establishes minimum health
and safety standards. Licensing, however, does not insure
quality. You should expect more than the minimum standards
that licensing requires.
Call. Call several
centers to find out hours and days in session, cost of the
program, its location and proximity to your home or work.
Tuition assistance may be available. Be sure to ask. Make
appointments with the ones that sound most promising.
Visit and Evaluate.
Visit two or three centers while the children are there.
Spend at least one hour in the classroom and extra time
talking with the director. If possible, do not bring your
child on your first visit to the center. It is easier to
observe if you are not distracted by your child's presence
and needs. Following are characteristics of a good program.
Place a check for each yes answer.
Environment
- A safe, well-maintained pleasant place for children
- Cozy areas that are made with soft materials
- A combination of carpeted and tiled floors for a variety
of experiences
- Space for each child's belongings, including a change
of clothing
- Refrigerator nearby for storage of formula and bottles
- Low protective barriers to separate walking infants
from those playing on the floor
- Furniture and outdoor play equipment for toddlers
- A safe outdoor play area, both shaded and open
- Opportunities for digging in sand and for water play
Staff
- Warm, nurturing, friendly, accepting and patient adults
- Director and head teacher with college level training
in early childhood education
- Caregivers with training and experience working with
infants and toddlers
- Talk to, laugh with and listen to children
- Comfort an angry, sad or frightened child in a loving,
supportive way
- Experts recommend one adult caregiver for every four
infants (birth to 18 months) and every six toddlers (18
months to three years)
- Discipline handled in a sensitive, positive way, respecting
each child's feelings
Sleeping
Routines
- A separate crib or cot for each child
- Sheets, pads and blankets changed and laundered daily
or more often as needed
- Children allowed to nap according to their own needs
- Quiet, darkened and separate nap areas
- Soothing attention to children as they fall asleep
Play
- Infants, when not asleep, are out of the crib, with
sufficient room to move about, see a variety of colors,
shapes and objects, listen to music and other sounds,
and play with interesting materials
- Caregivers play with, sing to, hold, and cuddle each
child often throughout the day
- Variety of art materials, toys, games, musical instruments
and things to climb on
- Materials and equipment in good condition on low shelves
- Walkers, high chairs with seat belts, infants seats
and strollers
- Children choosing their own activities and toys most
of the time
- A posted schedule that reflects planning for the experiences
that will be offered each day
Feeding
Routines
- Babies held during bottle feeding
- Fed according to their needs and individual schedules
- Bottles refrigerated until needed, and used promptly
- Left-over formulas discarded at the end of the day
- Labeled bottles with the child's name and the date prepared
- Babies and toddlers encouraged to feed themselves
- Well-balanced, nutritious meals
- Finger foods for infants and young toddlers
- Pleasant and sociable mealtimes
Parent
Communications
- Planned programs for parents
- Parents participating in the classroom or eating with
their children
- Notes to parents concerning their infant's eating, sleeping
and eliminating schedules for each day
- Parents informed of any special activities, visitors
or trips
- Parents make suggestions about menus, activities and
program
- A parent newsletter and bulletin board
- Regularly scheduled parent conferences
Diapering
and Toileting Routines
- Diapering/toilet areas clean, free from odor, well-ventilated
and removed from the feeding area
- Diapers changed without delay after they are soiled
- Babies thoroughly cleaned after the dirty diaper is
removed
- Dirty diapers disposed of in a closed separate, sanitary
container
- Changing table with secure strap which holds the baby
safely, and which is used every time
- Changing table surface disinfected after each baby is
changed
- Caregivers' hands washed thoroughly after changing each
baby's diaper
- Toileting begins only when the child is physically ready,
interested and able to understand the process of using
the toilet
- Parents involved in the decision to begin toilet training
for their children
- Toilet training as a positive, pleasant part of toddler's
day
- Toileting accidents treated casually rather than with
anger and disappointment
Safety
and Health
- Written policy prohibiting sick children from attending
the center
- Up-to-date state license (and city license, if required),
displayed and free from any provisional restrictions
- Accessible first aid kits in the classroom
- A first-aid trained staff member at the center at all
times
Warning
Signals
- The center does not encourage parents to observe.
- The children move about without any guidance or direction
for 30 minutes or more.
- The staff spend most of their time scolding or ordering
the children
Download
Selecting A Quality Infant/Toddler Child Care Center Checklist |
