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When searching for quality child care for their children,
many parents turn to family child care homes for the answer.
A family child care home is one person caring for a small
number of children in her home. Children can range in age
from birth through school age. Individuals choose family
child care because they feel more time and attention can
be given to each child. It allows small family groupings
in a home atmosphere, and its flexible scheduling adapts
to families' individual needs.
Consider. State and local regulations vary.
In Ohio,
a person can care for six or fewer children in her home
at any one time. This includes her own children under the
age of six. No more than three children can be under the
age of two. In Ohio, if you visit a home where a person
is caring for seven to 12 children, a state license must
be displayed. For more about Selecting a Family Care Care Home in Ohio.
In Kentucky, a person can care for three children
unrelated to her and be exempt from state regulations. Kentucky
providers caring for four to six unrelated children must
be certified. Kentucky certified providers may not care for more
than six children under the age of six years old. This includes
the certified provider's related children. Kentucky providers
caring for seven to 12 children must display a state license.
Ohio does not regulate small family child care
homes caring for six or fewer children and Kentucky does not regulate small family child care homes caring for 3 or fewer children, for health and safety. Therefore, it is very important
for parents to be able to recognize a safe home, a healthy
environment and programs that meet their family's needs. For more about Selecting Family Child Care in Kentucky.
Note: Ohio has a "county" certification that has standards similar to licensing for small family chld care homes serving families receiving the voucher.
For additional tips in selecting family child care.
For the 20 minimum standards in family child care.
Call. Talk with several different providers. Ask
about fees, hours of service, late fees, vacation and holiday
policies. Consider location and transportation needs. Make
appointments with those that sound promising.
Visit and Evaluate. Visit at least two homes with
your child. Observe the caregiver with your child, with
her own children, or with other children in her care. Ask
about references and check them carefully. Spend time observing
activities and the environment. Below are characteristics
of a good child care home. Place a check for every yes answer.
Provider
- Warm, nurturing, kind, patient
- Accepting and verbal
- Respectful of each child's cultural background
- Sensitive to each child's feelings and needs
- Laughs, talks and listens to the children
- Comforts an angry, sad or frightened child in a supportive
way
- Reads, plays and sings with the children
- Has reasonable expectations for children
- Balances time between children and household tasks
- Training or experience with young children
Policies
- Policy for accepting or excluding sick children
- Caregiver nor anyone in her household convicted of child
abuse or neglect
- Posted emergency numbers including where parent can
be reached
- Plan for a substitute in case of an emergency
- Regular reports about your child's progress or any problems
that might arise
- Clear cut rule about who will provide diapers and baby
formula
Home
Environment
- Limited TV watching
- Materials and equipment well maintained and clean
- Quiet and active areas indoor and out
- Stairways, windows, basement and doorways protected
by gates
- Heaters, stoves, electrical appliances and furnaces
out of children's reach
- Child sized tables, chairs and potty chairs
- High chair and crib for each infant, and a bed or cot
for each preschool child
- Soft pillows and floor covering for children's use
- Place for each child's individual belongings
- Locked up cleaning supplies and other dangerous materials
- Covered electrical outlets
- Outdoor play space protected from traffic and other
hazards
- Toys and activities easily accessible to children on
low shelves or tables
- Breakable objects out of reach to children
Daily
Activities
- Quiet and active play periods regularly scheduled
- Opportunities for children to choose their own toys
and activities
- Enough toys and interesting things to do for each aged
child
- Places to climb, run and jump, and for infants to pull
themselves up
- Safe places for a child to be and play alone
- Opportunities to play outside every day, weather permitting
- Babies out of their cribs most of their waking hours
- Infants and toddlers eat and sleep according to their
individual needs and schedules
- Infants protected from more active children when playing
on the floor
Meal
Times
- Babies always held when fed from their bottles
- Children encouraged to try new foods, but not forced
to eat
- Children allowed to set and clear the table and serve
themselves
- Hands washed before meal preparation, and eating
- Well balanced and nutritious meals
- Labeled infant formulas with baby's name and the date
- Food never withheld as punishment
Toilet
Training
- Schedule and routine for toilet training set by parents
- Diaper changing surface covered with a clean, disposable
paper or cloth that is changed after each baby is diapered
or the diaper changing surface disinfected after each
baby's diaper changed
- Provider's hands washed after changing each baby
- Toilet training viewed as a natural positive process
for the child
Health
and Safety
- Approved seat restraints used for each child on car
trips
- First aid kit available
- Smoke detectors in the home
- Regular fire and other emergency drills practiced with
the children
- Emergency exit route that everyone understands
- Physically healthy caregiver
- Special medication or diet given under doctor's order
Warning
Signals
- The caregiver does not encourage parents to visit and
observe all parts of house.
- The children move about without guidance most of the
time.
- The caregiver spends most of her time scolding or ordering
the children.
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