Here are some questions and answers to help you find quality care. 

1. What opportunities does a child need to learn about math and numbers?

Children need hands-on opportunities to explore, size, shape, quantity and counting, with materials for counting, measuring, comparing, recognizing shapes and written numbers.

2. What opportunities does a child need to explore written and spoken language?

A quality day care provider places books, signs and other written material throughout the program. These materials should be at the child's level. These materials should be available to the children most of the day. A quality provider will also give plenty of opportunities daily for exposure to  conversation, dictation of children stories, dramatic play, puppets and story telling.  Provider should also label toys, shelves, bins with both picture and words.

3. What types of  art activities should a quality provider offer?

Art Activities: Encourage expression in children, hand eye coordination and experimentation (logical thinking skills).

Art should be displayed around the classroom at the children's eye level. Art should be done for process not product, meaning the child should be the only one contributing to the art.  Art should be offered on a daily basis, even if the child is not interested.

4. Children need consistency in their daily schedule. Does the provider have a set schedule?

Children need time for active and quiet play throughout the day. Children should be able to play both in small and large groups. There should be a balance between free choice and teacher directed activities. The schedule should be predictable, but flexible so the children can learn to anticipate what comes next. This helps them feel secure and develop trust.

5. How do children learn?

Children are active learners, drawing on physical and social experiences. Play is an important way for children's emotional, social and cognitive development.

6. A quality provider not only helps her children learn and grow, but also other families members.

Providers who strive to better the child's life and environment will be more than willing to communicate with the families in care. Providers should be capable of teaching the parents and other members of the families they care for. The provider should know about local resources available to the child, provider and families in care. Including information on workshops for parents, children and provider. Also when a provider finds that a child has any issues in care, such as developmental, behavior or medical the provider should know who to contact to help the family that needs 'extra care'.

7.How does the provider share information about your child's development?

Quality providers will be willing to work with parents on concerns and information on each child. A quality provider will do regular assessments and conferences with each family in care.  Above all a quality provider should have good communication skills and encourage communication with their families.

8. How would a quality provider make my child feel comfortable and secure when they begin the new program?

A quality provider would allow the new child to bring in a comfort toy, such as a blanket or pictures. Also this provider should encourage phone calls and visits from parents throughout the day.

9. A quality provider should have a handbook and a contract.

A parent handbook or a contract gives parents important information about the provider and the program that the family will be using.

10.  What does a license mean?

State Licensing Standard determine how many adults are required to care for children of different ages, require staff background checks and fingerprinting, require staff members to have CPR and first aid training, and ensure basic rights for families who sue the child care. Licensing analysts visit child care programs once ever 3-5 years to ensure compliance with these standards. Parents have the right to review a programs licensing history.  Also state licensing is there to investigate complaints of allegations of abuse, neglect or rights of each family in care. State Licensing will do unannounced visits to check on the licensed child care.

Parents can find out more information about what to look for in a quality environment for their children by looking at the parents pages at : http://www.childaction.org