Industry Tips
Selecting Child Care Services
If you are like most working parents, you must rely on others to take care of your children while you are at work. Naturally, you want the best for your child, so it is very important that you choose your child care facility wisely.
There are many types of child care services available including daycare, nursery school, preschool, kindergarten, after school care, summer camps, and special education schools. Some companies even offer on-site child care.
If you are not lucky enough to have an on-site facility at your place of employment, follow these helpful guidelines from your Better Business Bureau.
- Get recommendations for facilities in your area. Ask friends, colleagues, relatives, and neighbors for recommendations. Check out the facility with local and state government offices.
- Decide what you are looking for in a facility. Consider the location, hours of operation, whether or not they provide bus service, educational values, and cost.
- Visit each facility. After you have chosen a few possible facilities, visit each facility and care giver. During your visit, talk with the director, care givers, and teachers.
Important Questions
- How is the staff selected and what are their credentials?
- What is the staff to child ratio?
- How are arguments between children handled?
- Is the facility licensed? Does it meet state and federal regulations?
- Does the facility have adequate fire extinguishers and alarms?
- Is the facility clean?
- Are the grounds secure? Is the playground fenced and locked?
- What rules are the children expected to follow?
- After you have decided on a facility, arrange for your child to visit before it is time to spend the entire day there. Talk positively about the facility or care givers in front of your child.
