selecting & evaluating quality child care presented by

Selecting & Evaluating Quality

Child Care

Presented by

Objectives12

45

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 CentersLicensed Religious Exempt *Preschools

Family Day HomesLicensed Voluntarily

RegisteredLocally

PermittedFamily Day

Home System

Average Cost of Care

0 - 12 MONTHS 13 - 15 MONTHS 16 - 23 MONTHS 2 - 3 YEARS 4 - 5 YEARS NOT IN SCHOOL

5 - 9 YEARS AND IN SCHOOL

OVER 10 YEARS

$166.38 $162.62

$155.84

$142.26 $134.43

$113.20 $107.65

$154.00 $150.00

$144.17

$135.07

$126.41

$105.19 $100.73

Child Care Center Family Child Care

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What’s the Difference?

May or may not be licensed or regulatedSmaller groups of children More flexible than center carePolicies are set by caregiverUsually only one caregiverOften mixed age groupsMore 1 to 1 time

Must be licensed or regulatedLarger number of children

Decreased flexibilityStructured environment & curriculum

Many caregiversVariety of daily activities & experiences

SocializationLess 1 to 1 time

Child Care Centers

Family Day Homes

ObjectivesDiscuss the different types of child care1

2

45





3

Key Indicators of Quality Center Care

Health and Safety

Small Group

Size

Accreditation and Quality Rating

Caregiver Turnover

(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 Qualifica

tions

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


2

45

3





Start early and visit each providerAsk questions

Stay involvedHave

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!


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45

Educate you on the essentials of quality child care


Offer suggestions on what to do when you can’t find availability


3

Different Work Routes

Waiting ListsDid you encounter a roadblock?

Networking Options

Alternative Work

Arrangements

Include Other

Types of Providers

Develop a

Temporary

Plan! Contact Resource &

Referral Agency


2

45

Educate you on the essentials of quality child care




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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