Going back to school may mean sending your child to child care. What do you look for in choosing child care?
 
This checklist will help parents choose child care. When selecting the appropriate child-care setting, parents need to consider issues such as availability, affordability and quality. Visit possible centers or family child-care facilities, and use the checklist to guide you.

Do both parents and children feel the program is a safe and comfortable place to be?

• Is there ample space?
• Are there caring providers?
• Is there support upon separation (when parents leave for work/school)?
• Is care consistent, or is there a great deal of caregiver turnover?
• Do caregivers deal with feelings (both children's and parents') in a relaxed way?
• Is the environment reasonably clean?
• Are health practices followed (hand-washing, separate and sanitary toileting and diapering areas)?
• Are there enough adults for the group's size and age?

Are the children encouraged to feel good about themselves?

• Are activities suitable for the children's ages? Is independence encouraged?
• Are children allowed choices throughout the day? Are positive guidance techniques used?
• Are reasonable limits set with consistent reinforcement? Do caregivers supervise play without being intrusive?

Are the children involved in meaningful activities?

• Do activities support children's natural curiosity?
• Are children allowed to explore?
• Do caregivers attempt to build on language?
• Are questions posed to foster thinking and reasoning?
• Is problem solving and personal expression encouraged?
• Are a variety of age-appropriate play materials available?
• Is a schedule of daily activities posted and followed?
• Is a healthy mix of activities offered? For example, is there a balance between active and quiet activities, large and small group activities, and adult-directed and child-directed activities?

Is the environment child-centered?

• Are materials on shelves accessible to the children?
• Is there child-sized furniture? Are furnishings in good repair?
• Are rooms tidy and organized in a way that makes sense to a child?
• Are children's projects displayed at children's eye level?

Does the environment encourage positive social behavior?

• Are rules for behavior fair and consistently enforced? Do caregivers provide reasons for rules?
• Are children encouraged to find positive solutions to conflicts?
• Are there opportunities for children to have meaningful interactions with both children and adults?
• Is children's physical development supported through appropriate health, nutrition and safety practices?
• Are the indoor and outdoor environments safe for children?
• Are there regularly scheduled nutritious meals and snacks?
• Are activities planned to encourage physical activity?
• Is mealtime pleasant? Is there an adequate setting and equipment for rest time?

Are efforts made to ensure consistency between home and child care?

• Is there an effort for daily parent-provider exchange?
• Do staff ease transitions and separation felt by the child as well as the parent? Are parents encouraged to visit? Do staff and parents discuss important issues such as guidance and discipline and toileting techniques?

If infants are present, are their needs being met?

• Are there enough caregivers to provide individual attention?
• Is scheduling flexible to meet individual needs?
• Do caregivers respond promptly to signs of distress?
• Are toys and play areas sanitized daily?
• Are diapering areas sanitary, and do caregivers wash after every diaper change?

Note: The Cooperative Extension Service has a mission to deliver research-based information to the public. Extension is an educational entity, not a regulatory agency. For more information about child-care licensure, please contact the child-care licensing office in your area. Child-care resource and referral agencies are good sources of information on locating and selecting services. To find out about the resource and referral agency nearest you, contact the National Child Care Aware Hotline at 800-424-2246.

Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child Care - NNCC. DeBord, K. (1994). Choosing child care. In Todd, C.M. (Ed.), *Day care center connections*, 3(6), pp. 3-4. Urbana-Champaign, IL: University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service.