Child Care Checklist
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Start your quality child care search as far in advance as you can. Finding the right child care option can take time. Visit and ask questions before you make your choice. To find quality child care, follow these five steps to success:
Step 1 - Start Early
Start looking as far in advance as you can. Finding the right child care option can take time
Step 2 - Search online or make a call
Begin your search by clicking here or call the Child Care Resource and Referral for more information at 1.800.308.9000, Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm and Saturday, 8:00am to 12:00pm to speak with a Child Care Specialist who is knowledgeable about the types and availability of child care information and resources in Arizona. A Child Care Specialist can assist you by providing more information, tools, and resources you can use to evaluate and locate high-quality child care, as well as a list of child care options in your area that meet your needs. A Child Care Specialist can provide you with information about how you can get help paying for child care, licensing information and a checklist on how to identify high quality child care programs.
Child Care Resources and Referral provides child care information, not recommendations, to child care programs and resources. Child Care Resource and Referral does not endorse, warrant, or regulate any child care programs.
Child Care Resources and Referral provides child care information, not recommendations, to child care programs and resources. Child Care Resource and Referral does not endorse, warrant, or regulate any child care programs.
Step 3 - Visit and Ask Questions
Make sure you visit the child care options you are considering. Find out if the program meets the following key indicators of quality:
Child to Adult Ratio – Ask how many children there are per adult.
(Why – The fewer the number of children for each adult, the better it is for your child. You want your child to receive plenty of attention; the younger the child, the more adults there should be available to provide care).
Group Size – Ask how many children are in the group.
(Why – The smaller the group, the better. Imagine a group of 25 two-year olds with five adults, compared to a group of 10 two-year olds with two adults. Each has the same child to adult ratio but which group would you choose for your child to have a calmer and safer environment).
Caregiver Qualifications – Ask about the caregivers’ training and education.
(Why – Caregivers with degrees and/or special training in working with children will be better able to help your child's growth and development. It’s important that caregivers are involved in activities that improve their skills and professional development such as participation in Family Child Care Network or Director meetings, attending early childhood conferences, or receiving on-site technical assistance to improve the overall quality of programs from one of the Quality First Coaches.
Turnover – Ask how long the caregivers have been at the center or providing care in their home.
(Why – It's best if children stay with the same caregiver for at least a year. Your child needs to focus his/her energy on learning new things rather than getting used to new caregivers every few months).
Quality First Star Ratings – Find out if the child care provider participates in the statewide Quality First program.
(Why – Programs that have met voluntary standards for child care that are higher than state licensing requirements, like Quality First, increase the quality of the program. Star rating 3, 4 and 5 exceed state licensing requirements, and star rating of 2 meets licensing requirements.)
Child to Adult Ratio – Ask how many children there are per adult.
(Why – The fewer the number of children for each adult, the better it is for your child. You want your child to receive plenty of attention; the younger the child, the more adults there should be available to provide care).
Group Size – Ask how many children are in the group.
(Why – The smaller the group, the better. Imagine a group of 25 two-year olds with five adults, compared to a group of 10 two-year olds with two adults. Each has the same child to adult ratio but which group would you choose for your child to have a calmer and safer environment).
Caregiver Qualifications – Ask about the caregivers’ training and education.
(Why – Caregivers with degrees and/or special training in working with children will be better able to help your child's growth and development. It’s important that caregivers are involved in activities that improve their skills and professional development such as participation in Family Child Care Network or Director meetings, attending early childhood conferences, or receiving on-site technical assistance to improve the overall quality of programs from one of the Quality First Coaches.
Turnover – Ask how long the caregivers have been at the center or providing care in their home.
(Why – It's best if children stay with the same caregiver for at least a year. Your child needs to focus his/her energy on learning new things rather than getting used to new caregivers every few months).
Quality First Star Ratings – Find out if the child care provider participates in the statewide Quality First program.
(Why – Programs that have met voluntary standards for child care that are higher than state licensing requirements, like Quality First, increase the quality of the program. Star rating 3, 4 and 5 exceed state licensing requirements, and star rating of 2 meets licensing requirements.)
Step 4 - Make a Choice
Think about what you saw at each visit, and make the best choice for your child and family. Use a checklist provided by Child Care Resource and Referral to help you make a choice. Keep in mind the pros and cons of each type of child care setting, and how they must meet your families needs.
Step 5 - Stay Involved
The work isn't over when you find care for your child. Visiting and participating in events at your child's early childhood program sends a message that you want to be involved in your child’s growth and development. Include visits at different times of the day in order to participate in a variety of activities. The following are a few parent activity ideas:
Even if you can’t get time off from work during the day, you can check in at drop-off and pick-up times. Allow yourself extra time in your schedule to walk around the child care environment and ask caregiver questions regarding your child’s growth and development.
If you are having trouble finding child care, here are a few helpful tips:
There is a lot to consider when choosing a child care program and it is important that you know what to look for and what questions to ask to ensure you are making the best decision for your family. It is highly recommended that you visit at least three child care settings before making a selection. It is important to spend time in each setting observing how the caregiver interacts with children and parents. Use this checklist to ask questions and as a guide for what to look for in a quality child care program.
- Read your favorite children’s book to your child’s class.
- Start a Provider Appreciation Day Committee to celebrate teachers in program.
- Create a Parent Information Board to share parenting resources.
- Recycle or purchase items for art activities (e.g. paper, plastic containers & bottles, cardboard boxes)
- Share your hobby with children during Show & Tell
- Sponsor a class field trip to your local children’s museum
Even if you can’t get time off from work during the day, you can check in at drop-off and pick-up times. Allow yourself extra time in your schedule to walk around the child care environment and ask caregiver questions regarding your child’s growth and development.
If you are having trouble finding child care, here are a few helpful tips:
- Stay in touch with your Child Care Resource & Referral Specialist, and ask them to keep thinking about what might work for you.
- Look in a different location. Try looking on your way to work, near work, or near a public transportation stop on your route to work, or even try a different route to work.
- Discuss your child care needs with your employer and with co-workers. If many of you are having the same difficulties, your employer needs to know to so that they can allow adjustments in schedules and create ways to keep valuable employees.
- Get on the waiting list at every program that would work for you. You never know when a spot might open up.
There is a lot to consider when choosing a child care program and it is important that you know what to look for and what questions to ask to ensure you are making the best decision for your family. It is highly recommended that you visit at least three child care settings before making a selection. It is important to spend time in each setting observing how the caregiver interacts with children and parents. Use this checklist to ask questions and as a guide for what to look for in a quality child care program.
