A major part of adolescent parenting for many families is finding quality babysitting, educational care, or daycare after school. When looking for the very best setting for your child, you should visit more than one location and, if possible, take your child with you when you go. The following list will give you some hints to help you make a good choice.

Interview Caregivers 

Call first and ask:

  •     Is there an opening for my child?
  •     What hours and days are you open?
  •     Where are you located?
  •     How much do you charge?
  •     When is payment due?
  •     Do you charge for holidays, absences due to vacations or illness, or late pickups?
  •     How many children do you care for?
  •     How much child care experience and education do you have?
  •     How many adults care for the children?
  •     What ages do you serve?
  •     Must a child be toilet trained?

 In a home setting:

  •     Are there others living in the home?
  •     Who and what age are they?
  •     Who, besides the provider, may be caring for my child?
  •     Will my child be taken out of the home while in your care?
  •     Are there pets or smoking in the home?

 Visit and look for:

  •     Positive interactions between caregiver and children.
  •     Children getting lots of attention.
  •     Children who are happy and comfortable with their caregiver.
  •     Clean, safe, and healthy indoor and outdoor spaces.
  •     Safety features such as gates on stairs, caps on electrical outlets, and a locked cabinet for medicine, poisons, and cleaning products.
  •     A variety of toys and learning materials, such as books, puzzles, blocks, and climbing equipment, that your child will find interesting.

Ask the provider:

  •     Can I visit at any time?
  •     How do you handle discipline?
  •     What do you do if my child is sick?
  •     How do you handle an emergency?
  •     Do you have a backup caregiver?
  •     Where do children take naps?
  •     Do caregivers have up-to-date CPR and First Aid training?
  •     Do caregivers have training in child care?
  •     May I see a copy of your license?
  •     Are you accredited?
  •     May I have a list of parents (current and former) who have used your care?

Check References 

Ask other parents:

  •     Was the caregiver reliable?
  •     How did the caregiver discipline your child?
  •     How did you get along with the caregiver?
  •     Was the caregiver respectful of your values and culture?
  •     Would you recommend the caregiver?
  •     If your child is no longer with the caregiver, why did you leave?

Make the Decision for Quality Care

 Ask yourself, from what you have learned:

  •     Is there a balance of free play and routines?
  •     Can the caregiver meet the special needs of my child?
  •     Which caregiver should I choose so that my child will be happy and grow?
  •     Is the child care affordable?
  •     Do I feel good about my decision?

Stay Involved

Ask yourself how you can work your schedule so you can:

  •     Talk to your caregiver?
  •     Talk to your child about how the day went?
  •     Visit your child in care?
  •     Work with your caregiver to discuss problems that arise?
  •     Help your child grow?
  •     Meet with other parents?

 A good child care setting respects children, parents, and caregivers; has open and ongoing communication; and a shared plan for the well-being of children.

 

Developed jointly by the Michigan 4C Association and the Department of Human Services, Child Development and Care.