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Choosing and Using Child Care

Handout Packet

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Choosing and Using Child Care

A Carebridge Guidance Seminar

• EvaluatingYourFamily’sNeeds

• DevelopmentalNeeds

• ChildCareOptions/AdvantagesandDisadvantages

• HowtoFindandSelectChildCare

• MonitoringYourChoice

Agenda

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• Whatdoparentsneed?

• Whatdochildrenneed?

• Whataremychild’sindividualneeds?

Evaluating Your Family’sChild Care Needs

Developmental Needs of Infants

• Individualattention

• Continuityofcaregivers

• Safeenvironment

• Responsiveandinteractivecaregivers

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• Exploration

• Playtimeandlisteningtostories

• Caregiverswhotalk,smileandlaugh

• Caregiverswhoencouragepositivebehavior

Developmental Needsof Toddlers

• FamilyDayCareHomes

• DayCareCenters

• In‐HomeCaregivers

Child Care Options

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• Nanny

– Live‐in

– Live‐out

• AuPair

In Home Caregivers

• Relative

• Babysitter

• Mother’sHelper

In Home Caregivers

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• Backgroundcheck

• Taxresponsibility

• Mutualunderstanding

In Home Caregivers

• Chargeplacementfees

• Offerprescreenedcandidates

• Offerguarantees

• Needtobecarefullyevaluated

Nanny Placement Agencies

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• Institutionalsetting

• Stateregulated

• Trainedstaff

• Childrenusuallygroupedbyage

Day Care Centers

• Homelikesetting

• Licensedorregistered

• Multi‐agegrouping

• Oneortwotrainedprimarychildcareproviders

Family Child Care Homes

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• Reviewliterature

• Phoneinterviews

• Scheduledvisits

• Unannouncedvisit(s)

• Checkreferences!

• Backgroundchecks

How To Select Child Care

• Beproactive

• Defineissue(s)

• Worktowardsimprovingthecurrentsituationbeforechangingchildcare

Open Communication

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• Networkwithotherparents

• Drop‐inunannounced

• Spendtimeincarewithyourchild

• Dailycommunication

• Askyourchild

• Haveafriend/familymemberdrop‐in

• Regularmeetingswithprovider

Monitor Your Child Care Choice

Confidential Services

Contact Carebridge

1‐800‐437‐0911

www.myliferesource.com

http://www.myliferesource.com/

Many women chooseto breast-feed theirbabies for at least the

first few months. They areaware that breast-feeding is thebest way to build up anewborn’s immunity systemand prevent allergies. Inaddition, nursing a child is anexcellent way for mother and

baby to bond, while not havingto fuss with the expense andtime of preparing bottles andformula. Many new moms findthat nursing causescontractions which help shrinkthe uterus back to normal sizerelatively quickly.

Initial milkThe first milk coming from thebreasts after giving birth is athin, yellowish liquid calledcolostrum. It contains moreprotein, salt and antibodiesthan regular breast milk. It isextremely easy to digest, and istherefore the perfect first foodfor your baby. It is low involume but high inconcentrated nutrition for thenewborn. Colostrum has alaxative effect on the baby,helping him pass his earlystools, which aids in theexcretion of excess bilirubinand helps prevent jaundice.Within a few days your milk

will “come in,” and you willoften feel a heaviness in yourbreasts as they fill with milk.This is sometimes called the“let-down reflex” which isfrequently stimulated by thecry of your hungry child. Toestablish an adequate milk

supply it is important that yourbaby nurse frequently. If she’snot hungry enough to nurse forlong or has difficulty gettingstarted, it may help to expresssome of your breast milk. To dothis place your thumb at thetop of the areola, with your

Basics Of Breast-Feeding

Nursing a child is anexcellent way for

mother and baby tobond.

Carebridge Corporation presents:

Life ManagementResources

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fingers underneath. Squeezethe edges of the areola as youpress back toward your chestwall, almost as if you are“milking” your breast. Oftenthis will help your baby get themilk more easily, encouragingher to suck more productively.

Helpful tips for breast-feedingYou will want to sit in acomfortable chair whichsupports your back and arms.Position your infant so hermouth can easily get to yourbreast. A quiet spot away fromthe turmoil of the household isideal, but not always possible.Soothing music may help relaxboth of you. Alternate thebreasts each time you beginfeedings, since the first breastgets sucked more vigorously. Ifyour infant has problemslatching on to the breast,consult your pediatrician orlocal breast-feeding supportgroup for help. La Leche is anationwide group whichcontinually offers support byphone for new mothers. Avoidsmoking, drinking alcohol andusing illegal drugs, all of whichcan pass through the milk toyour baby. Even prescriptiondrugs should be taken withcare; be certain to make yourdoctor aware that you arebreast-feeding when youreceive a prescription.Is my baby gettingenough milk?Typically during the first fewdays, while the baby is receivingmother’s immunity--boosting

colostrum, he will wet only oneor two diapers per day. Oncethe mother’s milk comes in,usually on the third or fourthday following birth, the babyshould begin to have 6-8 wetcloth diapers or 5-6 wetdisposable diapers per day. (Aneasy way to feel the weight of awet disposable diaper is to pour2-4 tablespoons of water in adry diaper.) In addition, mostyoung babies will have at leasttwo to five bowel movementsevery 24 hours for the firstseveral months, although some

babies will switch to lessfrequent but large bowelmovements at about 6 weeks.You will know your baby isgetting enough milk if:• The baby nurses frequently

averaging at least 8-12feedings per 24-hourperiod.

• The baby is allowed todetermine the length ofthe feeding, which may be10 to 20 minutes per breastor longer.

• Baby’s swallowing soundsare audible as he isbreastfeeding.

• The baby gains at least 4-7ounces per week after thefourth day of life. Periodic

well baby check-ups areimportant for this reason.

• The baby is alert andactive, appears healthy, hasgood color, firm skin, and isgrowing in length andhead circumference.

If you have any concernsregarding your baby, theyshould be addressed with yourhealth care provider.

Breast CareOne hazard of breast-feeding iscracked nipples which canbecome a problem if your babyis not latching on to the breastproperly. The main cause isimproper positioning. The babyshould be face to nipple, andtummy to tummy with you.The baby’s chin should be justbelow the nipple, and the babyneeds to open her mouth wideto take in a good mouthful.Some mothers find that rinsingtheir nipples after nursing anddrying them with a hair dryercan be beneficial. It may alsohelp to express a small amountof milk and let it dry on thenipple, forming a protectivecoating. Never use soap on yourbreasts; even creams andlotions can aggravate crackednipples. Plastic lined nursingpads or plastic bra shields mayexacerbate the problem; ifdiscomfort persists, consultyour doctor. A more seriousproblem is mastitis, aninfection of the breast causedby bacteria within the ductsystem. Symptoms includeswelling, pain, heat, andperhaps a fever. Apply hot

compresses and massage yourbreasts before nursing. If a feveror discomfort persists, consultyour healthcare provider.

Healthy dietIt is of extreme importance todrink extra water and nonfatmilk while nursing. A goodrule of thumb is to drink atleast 8 oz. of liquid each timeyou nurse the baby. Trial anderror will show which foodsyou consume pass through yourbreast milk to your baby andcause gassy discomfort.Common culprits includecabbage, garlic, onions,broccoli, and turnips. Inaddition, some mothers findthat consuming caffeine canlead to an alert, fussy, sleeplessbaby, so be careful to limit yourcaffeine consumption.Breast pumpsWhen you return to work or ifyou need to be away from yourbaby for another reason, it willbe helpful to utilize a breastpump. There are simple manualones, but the newer electricpumps are gentler on thebreasts and far more efficientthan pumping by hand. Breastmilk must be refrigerated andcan be frozen, so that it can begiven to the baby by dad or a

caregiver. It is important to getyour baby used to accepting abottle and being fed bysomeone other than mom wellbefore the situation arises.

Many women enjoy the factthat their milk is so healthy forand digestible by their baby.Although not all women can orprefer to nurse, research pointsto the significant value which

breast-feeding has to infants,mothers, and their families.

Prepared for you by Carebridgeprofessionals

Try to drink at least8 ounces of liquid

each time you nursethe baby.

© 2011 Carebridge Corporation

Who are

pediatricians?

Pediatricians are the medicalspecialists who deal with thephysical, emotional, and socialhealth of children from birththrough adolescence. Theprimary focus of pediatricians ispreventive health care.Pediatricians are physicianswho have completed four years

of medical school and anadditional three-year, hospital-based residency program inpediatrics. To become board-certified, a pediatrician mustpass a written examinationgiven by the American Board ofPediatrics and then must be re-certified by takingexaminations every seven years.A pediatrician also must take acertain number of continuingmedical education courses eachyear to be eligible for licenserenewal in the state wherelicensed. Some pediatricianstrain for two more years in aspecialty such as cardiology,emergency medicine, orneonatology.

When should you locatea doctor?A few months before your babyis due is the best time to beginlooking for a pediatrician. Youwill generally want her presentwhen your child is born so that

she can assess the baby rightafter birth. If you have a high-risk pregnancy, having a doctoralready selected is especiallyimportant. Parents of olderchildren should meet a newprovider before a crisis or acuteillness occurs.

How should you find adoctor?Most parents need to startwith the physicians who are intheir health care network.Checking the online listings ofnetwork physicians is anexcellent first step; the printedlists are far more quickly

Choosing A Pediatrician

Start with the physicians who are in

your health care network.



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outdated. If you have questionsabout whether a providerparticipates in your plan or ifyou are interested in a doctoroutside the network, it’s best tocall the health plan directly. Inaddition, you will need toconfirm with your candidatesthat they are currentlyaccepting new patients andplan to remain within yourhealth care network.

Once you know which doctorsare within your insurance plan,narrow the list of candidates byasking for recommendationsfrom people you trust-relatives,friends, neighbors, and co-workers who share yourparenting philosophy. You mayalso wish to ask yourobstetrician or nurse-midwifefor referrals and, if in a newarea, may wish to contact areahospitals or medical schools forqualified candidates. Whenyou have established a list ofpossible physicians, narrowyour search by location,hospital affiliation, andresponsiveness of office staffwhen you call to ask a fewscreening questions. For thosewho seem most in tune withyour needs, call to request aprenatal visit. This allows youtime to find out about thepediatrician’s practice policies,philosophy and credentials.

Many pediatricians charge forthese interviews, so be sure toask!

What Should You Ask?During an initial phone call tothe office staff, it will help toask these screening questions:• What are the office hours?• Is this a solo or group

practice? Who will see mychild if my chosen doctoris unavailable?

• At which hospitals is thedoctor affiliated?

During the prenatal interviewwith the pediatrician you maywant to ask:• How does your office

handle phone calls fromconcerned parents withquestions?

• How does your officehandle after-hours calls?

• Is e-mail an option forcommunicating with yourdoctor?

• What are your educationalqualifications? Are youboard-certified?

• Are there Pediatric NursePractitioners or PhysiciansAssistants in the office?What is their role?

• Are lab tests done in theoffice?

• What is your philosophyon breast-feeding?Circumcision? Pacifiers?Antibiotics?Immunizations?Alternative care?

• What are the paymentpolicies?

• What are the policiesregarding referrals tospecialists?

Ideally both parents are able tointerview the pediatriciantogether. Comparing notes,they can then decide whichpediatrician seems to best meettheir needs. When a choice hasbeen made, a parent shouldcontact the office to confirmthe choice and give pertinentinformation for the files.

Prepared for you by Carebridgeprofessionals


Developmental Milestones For Your Growing Child

While each child develops at her own rate, most children attain certain devel-opmental goals around the same age. Here are some milestones that you can look forward to as your baby grows.

A Three-Month Old… Respondstoparents’voicesandfaces. Liftsherhead,neck,andupperchestwiththefore-armswhilelyingdown. Coosandrespondstotalkingwithvocalnoises.A Five-Month Old… Reachesforandbatsatobjects. Smilesspontaneously. Canpushupbodywithhandsandkeepheaderect.

A Seven-Month Old… Rollsoveronherown. Holdsherheaduprightwhensitting. Graspsandmouthsobjectsandstartstoself-feed.A Nine-Month Old… Crawls,creeps,ormovesforwardbyscootingonherbottom. Shakes,bangs,drops,andthrowsobjects. Understandswordslikemilkandbye-bye.A One-Year Old… Pullsuptoastandingpositionandmaytakeafewstepsonherown. Hasaone-to-threewordvocabulary. Drinksfromacup.An Eighteen-Month Old… Pointstooneormorebodyparts. Understandssimplecommands. Namesobjectsandpicturesduringreading.A Two-Year Old… Climbsstairs,onestepatatime. Followstwo-stepcommands. Canstackblocks.Ifyourchildissigni icantlydelayedinanyoftheabovemilestones,it’sagoodideatomentionittoyourchild’sdoctor.Mostlikely,yourchildiscompletelyhealthyanddevelopingnormally.

Preventing fatigueand exhaustion

For most mothers the firstweeks at home with a new babyare often the hardest in theirlives. You will probably feeloverworked, evenoverwhelmed. Inadequate sleep

will leave you fatigued. Caringfor a baby can be a lonely andstressful responsibility. You maywonder if you will ever catchup on your rest or work. Thesolution is asking for help. Noone should be expected to carefor a young baby alone.

Every baby awakens one ormore times a night. The way toavoid sleep deprivation is toknow the total amount of sleepyou need per day and to getthat sleep in bits and pieces. Goto bed earlier in the evening.When your baby naps you mustalso nap. Your baby doesn’tneed you hovering while he orshe sleeps. If sick, your babywill show symptoms. Whileyou are napping take thetelephone off the hook and putup a sign on the door sayingMOTHER AND BABYSLEEPING. If your total sleepremains inadequate, hire a babysitter or bring in a relative. Ifyou don’t take care of yourself,you won’t be able to take care ofyour baby.

The postpartum bluesMore than 50% of womenexperience postpartum blues

on the third or fourth day afterdelivery. The symptomsinclude tearfulness, tiredness,sadness, and difficulty inthinking clearly. The main

cause of this temporaryreaction is probably the suddendecrease of maternal hormones.Since the symptoms commonlybegin on the day the mothercomes home from the hospital,the full impact of being totallyresponsible for a dependent

First Weeks At Home WithA Newborn

More than 50% ofwomen

experiencepostpartum blues.



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newborn may also be acontributing factor. Manymothers feel let down andguilty about these symptomsbecause they have been led tobelieve they should beoverjoyed about caring for theirnewborn. In any event, thesesymptoms usually clear in 1 to3 weeks as the hormone levelsreturn to normal and themother develops routines and asense of control over her life.

There are several ways to copewith the postpartum blues.First, acknowledge yourfeelings. Discuss them withyour husband or a close friendas well as your sense of beingtrapped and that these newresponsibilities seeminsurmountable. Don’t feel youneed to suppress crying or puton a “supermom show” foreveryone. Second, get adequaterest. Third, get help with allyour work. Fourth, mix withother people; don’t becomeisolated. Get out of the houseat least once a week—go to thehairdresser, shop, visit a friend,or see a movie. By the thirdweek, setting aside an evening aweek for a “date” with yourhusband is also helpful. If youdon’t feel better by the timeyour baby is 1 month old, seeyour physician about thepossibility of counseling fordepression.

Helpers: relatives,friends, sittersAs already emphasized,everyone needs extra help

during the first few weeksalone with a new baby. Ideally,you were able to makearrangements for help beforeyour baby was born. The bestperson to help (if you get alongwith her) is usually yourmother or mother-in-law. Ifnot, teenagers or adults can

come in several times a week tohelp with housework or lookafter your baby while you goout or get a nap. If you haveother young children, you willneed daily help. Clarify thatyour role is looking after yourbaby. Your helper’s role is toshop, cook, houseclean, andwash clothes and dishes. Ifyour newborn has a medicalproblem that requires specialcare, ask for home visits by apublic health nurse.

The father’s roleThe father needs to take timeoff from work to be with hiswife during labor and delivery,as well as on the day she andhis child come home from thehospital. If the couple has arelative who will temporarilylive in and help, the father cancontinue to work after the babycomes home. However, whenthe relative leaves, the father

can take saved-up vacationtime as paternity leave. At aminimum he needs to workshorter hours until his wifeand baby have settled in.

The age of noninvolvement ofthe father is over. Not onlydoes the mother need thefather to help her withhousehold chores, but the babyalso needs to develop a closerelationship with the father.Today’s father helps withfeeding, changing diapers,bathing, putting to bed,reading stories, dressing,disciplining, homework,playing games, and calling thephysician when the child issick.

A father may avoid interactingwith his baby during the firstyear of life because he is afraidhe will hurt his baby or that hewon’t be able to calm the childwhen the baby cries. Thelonger a father goes withoutlearning parenting skills, theharder it becomes to masterthem. At a minimum, a fathershould hold and comfort hisbaby at least once a day.

VisitorsOnly close friends and relativesshould visit you during yourfirst month at home. Theyshould not visit if they are sick.To prevent unannouncedvisitors, the parents can put upa sign saying MOTHER ANDBABY SLEEPING. NOVISITORS. PLEASE CALLFIRST. Friends withoutchildren may not understand

your needs. During visits thevisitor should pay specialattention to older siblings.

Feeding your baby:achieving weight gainYour main assignments duringthe early months of life areloving and feeding your baby.All babies lose a few ouncesduring the first few days afterbirth. However, they shouldnever lose more than 7% of thebirth weight (usually about 8ounces). Most bottle-fed babiesare back to birth weight by 10days of age, and breast-fedbabies by 14 days of age. Theninfants gain approximately anounce per day during the earlymonths. If milk is providedliberally, the normal newborn’shunger drive ensuresappropriate weight gain.

A breast-feeding mother oftenwonders if her baby is gettingenough calories, since she can’tsee how many ounces the babytakes. Your baby is doing fine ifhe or she demands to nurseevery 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours,appears satisfied after feedings,takes both breasts at eachnursing, wets 6 or more diaperseach day, and passes 3 or moresoft stools per day. Wheneveryou are worried about yourbaby’s weight gain, bring yourbaby to your physician’s officefor a weight check. Feedingproblems detected early aremuch easier to remedy thanthose of long standing. Aspecial weight check 1 weekafter birth is a good idea for

infants of a first-time breast-feeding mother or a motherconcerned about her milksupply.

Dealing with cryingCrying babies need to be held.They need someone with asoothing voice and a soothingtouch. You can’t spoil your babyduring the early months of life.Overly sensitive babies mayneed an even gentler touch.

Sleep positionRemember to place your babyin his crib on his back. As of1992, this is the sleep positionrecommended by the AmericanAcademy of Pediatrics forhealthy babies. The back(supine) position reduces therisk of Sudden Infant DeathSyndrome (SIDS).

Taking your babyoutdoorsYou can take your babyoutdoors at any age. You

already took your baby outsidewhen you left the hospital, andyou will be going outside againwhen you take him or her forthe two-day or two-weekcheckup.

Dress the baby with as manylayers of clothing as an adultwould wear for the outdoortemperature. A commonmistake is overdressing a babyin summer. In winter, a babyneeds a hat because he or sheoften doesn’t have much hair toprotect against heat loss. Coldair or winds do not cause earinfections or pneumonia.

The skin of babies is moresensitive to the sun than theskin of older children. Keep

sun exposure to small amounts(10 to 15 minutes at a time).Protect your baby’s skin fromsunburn with longer clothingand a bonnet.

Camping and crowds shouldprobably be avoided duringyour baby’s first month of life.Also, during your baby’s firstyear of life try to avoid closecontact with people who haveinfectious illnesses.

Medical checkup on thethird or fourth day of lifeEarly discharge from thenewborn nursery has becomecommonplace for full-termbabies. Early discharge meansgoing home within 24 to 48hours after giving birth. Ingeneral this is a safe practice ifthe baby’s hospital stay has beenuncomplicated. Thesenewborns need to be re-checked 2 days after dischargeto see how well they arefeeding, urinating, producingstools, maintaining weight, andbreathing. They will also bechecked for jaundice andoverall health. In some cases,this special re-check will beprovided in your home.

The two-week medicalcheckupThis checkup is probably themost important medical visitfor your baby during the firstyear of life. By two weeks of ageyour baby will usually havedeveloped symptoms of anyphysical condition that was not

detectable during the hospitalstay. Your child’s physician willbe able to judge how well yourbaby is growing from his or herheight, weight, and headcircumference.

This is also the time yourfamily is under the most stressof adapting to a new baby. Tryto develop a habit of jottingdown questions about yourchild’s health or behavior athome. Bring this list with you

to office visits to discuss withthe physician. Most physicianswelcome the opportunity toaddress your agenda, especiallyif your questions are not easilyanswered by reading or talkingwith other mothers.

If at all possible, both themother and father should go tothese visits. Most physiciansprefer to get to know bothparents during a checkuprather than during the crisis ofan acute illness.

If you think your newborn issick between the routine visits,be sure to call your child’sphysician for help.

Courtesy of McKesson HealthSolutions

Going home within 24to 48 hours after

giving birth has becomecommonplace forfull-term babies.


Leading A Double Life

Are you frustrated by a lack of time to do the things you want? Or even to do the things you have to get done? Managingahouseholdand indingtimeforfamilyactivi-ties is not easy for an employed parent. Routine familyand household activities may average six hours; sleepaveragessevenhours;commutingusesone;andworkonthejobtakeseight.Thatleavesonlytwohoursforactivi-ties of choice! Many times those hours are spent doing

jobsthatneedtobedoneinsteadofthosewewouldliketodo.Dividing the family tasks

Familiesmay use a variety ofmethods to divide house-holdtasks:Resource method: Peoplewiththeresources(time,ener-gy,skill)dothejob.

Rotating chores method: Choresarerotatedamongallmembers. Everyone tries all tasks, although some train-ingmaybeneededandstandardswillvaryfromweektoweek.Each‐person method: Eachperson is responsible forhis/herownfood,cleanup,andlaundry.Somefamilyjobsstillneedtobeconsidered(suchasyardworkandhouse-holdrepairs).Substitute method: Goods and services (conveniencefoods, cleaninghelp, dining out) arepurchased inorderto “save” time. How the average American spends timeduringaweek.

Eatingandsleeping:70hoursWorking:40hoursCommuting:10hoursRecreationoutsideofhome:12hours

Recreationathome:12hoursFamilyactivities:12hoursHomeandpersonalmaintenance:8hoursReligiousactivities:4hoursIt’s about time

Howistimespent?Keepatimediaryforafewdays,not-ingspeci icactivitiesandtheamountoftimetheytake.Thenexaminetheactivitiesandcomparethemwithper-sonalandfamilygoals.Ifactivitiesandgoalsdon’tblend,itmaybetimetore-evaluatethesituation.Ifsomespecialactivities(suchasvolunteerwork)aremissing fromthelist,thetimeplanmustallowforthistoo.Take time for 10 things

TaketimetoWork-it’sthepriceofsuccess.TaketimetoThink-it’sthesourceofpower.TaketimetoPlay-it’sthesecretofyouth.TaketimetoRead-it’sthefoundationofknowledge.TaketimetoWorship-it’sthehighwayofreverenceandwashesthedustofearthfromoureyes.Take time toHelp and Enjoy Friends- it’s the source ofhappiness.TaketimetoLove-it’sonesacramentoflife.TaketimetoDream-ithitchesthesoultothestars.Take time toLaugh-it’s the singing thathelpswith life’sloads.TaketimetoPlan-it’sthesecretofbeingabletohavetimeforthe irstninethings!

Tips on surviving the day

Organizeclosets,drawers,of ice,andhome.Thiswilltaketimebutit’swortheveryminute. Setgoalsanddevelopaplan.Keepprioritiesinmindasyoudetermineyourdailyandweeklyschedule. Invest ina fewgoodcalendars.A largeonewiththemonth-at-a-glancemaybebestforwork. Don’texpectperfection.Itmaybenecessarytoadjuststandardssoyouhavetimetospendelsewhere. Trythesalamitechniqueforjobstobedone-slicebigjobsintosmalleronesthatareeasiertoaccomplish. Learnwhen yourprime time (time forpeakperfor-mance)isanduseitwisely.Determineprimetimeofother familymembers and delegate tasks accordingto person andwhen those tasks need to be accom-plished.Who does this now? Who could do it?

Try thisactivitywithother familymembers. Isa reviewofresponsibilitiesinorder?Whousually…Preparesthemeal?Doesmealclean-up?

Washesthecar?Doestheyardwork?Doesthegroceryshopping?Plansthemenus?Attendsappointmentsandeventswithchild(ren)?Paysbillsandbalancesthecheckbook?Doeshouseholdrepairsandmaintenance?

Courtesy of the Ohio Cooperative Extension Service

www.rightchoiceforkids.org

Using NAEYC Standards to Find Quality Programsfor Young Children

A Guide for

Families

http://www.rightchoiceforkids.org/

The National Association for

the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has set 10 standards for early childhood programs that can help families make the right choice when they are looking for a child care center, preschool, or kindergarten. This introduction to the standards can guide your family in fi nding a program in which your children can learn and grow. The standards (and more than 400 related criteria) are based on research on the development and education of young children and were created with input from thousands of experts and educators from around the country. The standards defi ne what NAEYC—the world’s largest organization of early childhood professionals—believes all early childhood programs should provide.

The standards and criteria are also the foundation of the NAEYC accreditation system for early childhood programs. To earn NAEYC Accreditation, programs must meet all 10 standards.

S TA N DA R D 1 —RelationshipsThe program promotes positive relationships among all children and adults. It encourages each child’s sense of individual worth and belonging as part of a community and fosters each child’s ability to contribute as a responsible community member. Warm, sensitive, and responsive relationships help children feel secure. The safe and secure environments built by positive relationships help children thrive physically, benefit from learning experiences, and cooperate and get along with others.

What you want to see in a program• Children and adults feel welcome when they visit

the program. Teachers help new children adjust to the program environment and make friends with other children.

• Teaching staff engage in warm, friendly conversations with the children and encourage and recognize children’s work and accomplishments.

• Children are encouraged to play and work together.• Teachers help children resolve conflicts by

identifying feelings, describing problems, and trying alternative solutions. Teaching staff never physically punish children.

S TA N DA R D 2 —CurriculumThe program implements a curriculum that is consistent with its goals for children and promotes learning and development in each of the following areas: social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive. A well-planned written curriculum provides a guide for teachers and administrators. It helps them work together and balance different activities and approaches to maximize children’s learning and development. The curriculum includes goals for the content that children are learning, planned activities linked to these goals, daily schedules and routines, and materials to be used. NAEYC and the NAEYC accreditation system do not prescribe a specific curriculum; programs can design their own or choose a commercially available curriculum that meets NAEYC’s guidelines.

“Valued teachers lead to valued

children … Accredited programs

tend to attract employees who not only

view themselves as educators, they

consider themselves child advocates.”— Kate in San Antonio, Texas

her child attends an NAEYC-Accredited program.

What you want to see in a program• Ask about the program’s curriculum and how it

addresses all aspects of child development. The curriculum should not focus on just one area of development.

• Children are given opportunities to learn and develop through exploration and play, and teachers have opportunities to work with individual children and small groups on specific skills.

• Materials and equipment spark children’s interest and encourage them to experiment and learn.

• Activities are designed to help children get better at reasoning, solving problems, getting along with others, using language, and developing other skills.

• Infants and toddlers play with toys and art materials that “do something” based on children’s actions, such as jack-in-the-box, cups that fit inside one another, and playdough.

S TA N DA R D 3 —TeachingThe program uses developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate and effective teaching approaches that enhance each child’s learning and development in the context of the curriculum goals. Children have different learning styles, needs, capacities, interests, and backgrounds. By recognizing these differences and using instructional approaches that are appropriate for each child, teachers and staff help all children learn.

What you want to see in a program• Teachers carefully supervise all children.• Teachers provide time each day for indoor and

outdoor activities (weather permitting) and organize time and space so that children have opportunities to work or play individually and in groups.

• Children’s recent work (for example, art and emergent writing) is displayed in the classroom to help children reflect on and extend their learning.

• Teachers modify strategies and materials to respond to the needs and interests of individual children, engaging each child and enhancing learning.

S TA N DA R D 4 — Assessment of Child ProgressThe program is informed by ongoing systematic, formal, and informal assessment approaches to provide information on children’s learning and development. These assessments occur within the context of reciprocal communications with families and with sensitivity to the cultural contexts in which children develop. Assessment results benefit children by informing sound decisions, teaching, and program improvement. Assessments help teachers plan appropriately challenging curriculum and tailor instruction that responds to each child’s strengths and needs. Assessments are also important in identifying children with disabilities and ensuring that they receive needed services.

What you want to see in a program• The program supports children’s learning

using a variety of assessment methods, such as observations, checklists, and rating scales.

• Assessment methods are appropriate for each child’s age and level of development and encompass all areas of development, including math, science, and other cognitive skills; language; social-emotional; and physical.

• Teachers use assessment methods and information to design goals for individual children and monitor their progress, as well as to improve the program and its teaching strategies.

• Families receive information about their child’s development and learning on a regular basis, including through meetings or conferences.

S TA N DA R D 5 —HealthThe program promotes the nutrition and health of children and protects children and staff from illness and injury. Children must be healthy and safe in order to learn and grow. Programs must be healthy and safe to support children’s healthy development.

What you want to see in a program• Teaching staff have training in pediatric first aid.• Infants are placed on their backs to sleep.• The program has policies regarding regular hand

washing and routinely cleans and sanitizes all surfaces in the facility.

“Choosing a preschool for my fi rst child

was somewhat overwhelming, so when

you fi nd a program accredited by NAEYC,

it adds peace of mind that you’re

making a good choice for your child.”— Jen in Torrance, California

her child attends an NAEYC-Accredited program

“NAEYC is an organization that can

be trusted with the future of my child’s

education … That is why I chose an

NAEYC-Accredited center —

nothing but the best.”— Jennifer in Newark, New Jersey

her child attends an NAEYC-Accredited program

• There is a clear plan for responding to illness, including how to decide whether a child needs to go home and how families will be notified.

• Snacks and meals are nutritious, and food is prepared and stored safely.

S TA N DA R D 6 —TeachersThe program employs and supports a teaching staff with the educational qualifications, knowledge, and professional commitment necessary to promote children’s learning and development and to support families’ diverse needs and interests. Teachers who have specific preparation, knowledge, and skills in child development and early childhood education are more likely to provide positive interactions, richer language experiences, and quality learning environments.

What you want to see in a program• Teaching staff have educational qualifications and

specialized knowledge about young children and early childhood development. Ask, for example, how many teachers have Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials, associate’s degrees, or higher degrees.

• The program makes provisions for ongoing staff development, including orientations for new staff and opportunities for continuing education.

• Teaching staff have training in the program’s curriculum and work as a teaching team.

S TA N DA R D 7 —FamiliesThe program establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with each child’s family to foster children’s development in all settings. These relationships are sensitive to family composition, language, and culture. To support children’s optimal learning and development, programs need to establish relationships with families based on mutual trust and respect, involve families in their children’s educational growth, and encourage families to fully participate in the program.

What you want to see in a program• All families are welcome and encouraged to be

involved in all aspects of the program.

• Teachers and staff talk with families about their family structure and their views on child rearing and use that information to adapt the curriculum and teaching methods to the families served.

• The program uses a variety of strategies to communicate with families, including family conferences, new family orientations, and individual conversations.

• Program information—including policies and operating procedures—is provided in a language that families can understand.

S TA N DA R D 8 — Community RelationshipsThe program establishes relationships with and uses the resources of the children’s communities to support the achievement of program goals. Relationships with agencies and institutions in the community can help a program achieve its goals and connect families with resources that support children’s healthy development and learning.

What you want to see in a program• The program connects with and uses museums,

parks, libraries, zoos, and other resources in the community.

• Representatives from community programs, such as musical performers and local artists, are invited to share their interests and talents with the children.

• The staff develop professional relationships with community agencies and organizations that further the program’s capacity to meet the needs and interests of children and families.

S TA N DA R D 9 — Physical EnvironmentThe program has a safe and healthful environment that provides appropriate and well-maintained indoor and outdoor physical environments. The environment includes facilities, equipment, and materials to facilitate child and staff learning and development.An organized, properly equipped and well-maintained program environment facilitates the learning, comfort, health, and safety of the children and adults who use the program.

What you want to see in a program• The facility is designed so that staff can supervise

all children by sight and sound.• The program has necessary furnishings, such as

hand-washing sinks, child-size chairs and tables, and cots, cribs, beds, or sleeping pads.

• A variety of materials and equipment appropriate for children’s ages and stages of development are available and kept clean, safe, and in good repair.

• Outdoor play areas have fences or natural barriers that prevent access to streets and other hazards.

• First-aid kits, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and other safety equipment are installed and available.

S TA N DA R D 1 0 — Leadership and ManagementThe program effectively implements policies, procedures, and systems that support stable staff and strong personnel, and fiscal, and program management so all children, families, and staff have high-quality experiences. Effective management and operations, knowledgeable leaders, and sensible policies and procedures are essential to building a quality program and maintaining the quality over time.

What you want to see in a program• The program administrator has the necessary

educational qualifications, including a degree from a four-year college and specialized courses in early childhood education, child development, or related fields.

• The program is licensed and/or regulated by the applicable state agency.

• The program’s written policies and procedures are shared with families and address issues such as the program’s philosophy and curriculum goals, policies on guidance and discipline and health and safety procedures.

• Appropriate group sizes and ratios of teaching staff to children are maintained (for example, infants—no more than 8 children in a group, with 2 teaching staff; toddlers—no more than 12 children in a group, with 2 teaching staff; and 4-year-olds—no more than 20 children in a group, with 2 teaching staff).

Help build more quality programs for young children If you are using this guide to find a child care program, preschool, or kindergarten for your child, you may have already discovered that finding a quality program can be a challenge. While the number of quality programs is growing (and there are more than 8,000 NAEYC-Accredited programs around the country), there are not enough for all the children and families who need them. Now that you have learned more about what to look for in a program, we hope you will raise your voice to support efforts to ensure that all young children can benefit from quality early education programs.• Write or call your elected officials—local, state, and

federal—and urge them to invest in quality programs for young children.

• Ask businesses in your community to sponsor early childhood programs that are working to improve quality.

• Volunteer with an early childhood program, and support its efforts to provide additional training and education for teachers and staff.

• Encourage other families to use this guide to find quality programs and join efforts improving programs for young children.

For more information on ways you can foster quality programs for young children, visit www.naeyc.org/policy.

National Association for theEducation of Young Children

1313 L Street NW, Suite 500Washington, D.C. 20005-4101

202-232-8777 • 800-424-2460

This guide is an introduction to the NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and Accreditation Criteria. For more information about the standards, the benefits of quality programs for young children, and finding quality programs in your community, visit the following Web sites:

www.naeyc.org www.rightchoiceforkids.org

Photos courtesy of: Susan Woog Wagner • Item # 539

http://www.naeyc.org/policy

http://www.naeyc.org/

http://www.rightchoiceforkids.org/

All babies cry.They cry because they are hungry, cold, wet,

tired, bored, warm, or justuncomfortable.Doctors have found thatduring the first 7 weeks of life,a baby may cry 2 ½ hours a day.Babies usually cry less as theygrow older and they find otherways to calm themselves, likesucking on pacifiers or fingers

or playing with their hands.While crying is normal, somebabies seem to cry for noreason. They are not easilycalmed, and they cry for long

periods of time. These babiesare often referred to as havingcolic.

What is colic?These signs may mean that ababy has colic:• Unexplained crying and

fussiness (not due tohunger or pain)

• Crying that begins in baby’sfirst month (usually in thefirst weeks)

• Irregular crying, one ormore times a day

• Excessive crying (from 20minutes to 2 hours eachtime, or more than 4 hourstotal each day)

• Nothing seems to calmbaby

A colicky baby may also do oneor more of these things:• Cry a loud, piercing cry• Swing her arms and legs

while crying• Arch his back while crying

• Pull her knees up to herstomach while crying

What causes colic?We don’t know for sure, butbabies may cry because ...

• Gases passing through thebaby’s stomach cause pain.

• Painful cramps occurbecause of changes inhormones after birth.

• The baby is too stimulatedby the outside world. Acolicky baby may not beable to “ignore” sights andsounds.

• The baby cries to releasetension.

• The baby cannot stopunwanted behaviors, such

What To Do When Baby Cries

Some babies seem tocry for no reason.



My

as crying, because theydon’t yet know how to doso.

Tips for remedy andreliefThere is no cure for colic, butthere are some things you cando to comfort a fussy baby. Tohelp baby cry less, follow thesetips:• Feed just the right

amount-not too much, nottoo little. Babies who cryafter eating may want tosuck rather than eat more,or they may need to cry alittle as they fall asleep.Talk with your doctor ifyou aren’t sure if your babyis eating enough.

• Give the baby things tolook at or listen to earlierin the day. To keep babycalm, avoid active play latein the day.

• Change the baby’s position.If you are holding the baby,put her down and let herkick. If the baby is lyingdown, pick him up andtalk to him.

• Handle baby gently. Don’tshake or move the babyroughly.

Try these ideas, too:• Hold your baby in your

arms. Keep his arms closeto his body. Walk or rockthe baby gently, whiletalking to him softly.Remember gentle! Shakingor bouncing too roughlycan harm your baby, oreven cause death.

• Sit and hold your baby facedown with your handunder her tummy. Slowlyrock your legs back andforth, or lift them gently upand down.

• Lie on your back and layyour baby on top of youwith his tummy down.

Massage or pat his backslowly and gently.

• Give your baby a warmbath, gently massaging hertummy with your hand,soap, or a soft cloth.

• Turn on a radio, vacuumcleaner, hair dryer, clothesdryer, or water faucet.Some babies are calmed bysteady sounds and noises.

• Offer your baby a pacifier(again, remember to begentle-you can injure thebaby’s mouth if you are toorough).

• Take your baby for a ride. Ifyou use a car, be sure toplace baby in a safety seat.

• Place the baby in a wind-up swing; be sure that hisneck is supported.

Seeking Medical HelpIf you find that your newborncries a great deal, see a doctorto be sure there isn’t a medical

problem. Parents of colickybabies shouldn’t be afraid totalk openly with their doctors.It’s important to mention anyconcerns you have so you canput them at rest. In somesituations a doctor mayprescribe medicine, but there isnot any medicine yet thatcompletely cures colic in allinfants. If medication isprescribed, ask your doctor totalk about the possible sideeffects.

Coping techniques forparentsCaring for a colicky infant canbe very difficult. Thefrustration may becomeoverwhelming. Parents of acolicky baby need to have aplan to help them get throughthe stress of colic. Keep theseideas and tips in mind:• Remember not to take the

crying personally. Yourbaby’s crying is not acomment on you as aparent.

• Take deep breaths. Try torelax as much as possible.A crying baby can be veryfrustrating, so try not to“lose your head.”

• Take turns with the baby(with your spouse orsomeone else).

• Try taking 15 minutes tocalm your baby. If she isstill crying, put her downand let her cry. After 15minutes, try to calm heragain.

• Your first concern shouldbe to make sure baby is safe

and secure. It is normal forbabies to sometimes cry.

• Take a break from yourbaby. Ask a trusted friendor relative to babysit so youcan spend some time awayfrom your infant.

• Talk to other parents,especially people who havehad colicky babiesthemselves. These may befriends, relatives, or peoplein a parent support group.

• Don’t be afraid to accept orask for help from friends or

relatives who offer. If youcan, hire someone to helpyou around the home.

It can really try your patienceto have a baby with colic.

Just remember that the cryingshould happen less often asbaby grows older, and be sure toask others for the help you

need during these difficultmonths.

Books can also be very helpful.Here is one to look for in yourlibrary or local bookstore. Eventhough newer books areavailable, this one still givessome of the very best advice:The Fussy Baby by W. Sears(Signet, 1985)

Courtesy of the University ofIllinois-Extension

It can really try yourpatience to have a baby

with colic.

© 20 11 Carebridge Corporation

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