Back-up plan: What is the provider’s back-up plan? When does the provider go on vacation or take personal holidays? What types of experience do the assistant or substitute caregivers have?.
Environment: Is the home clean and safe? Are latches on cabinets, plugs on outlets? Are the stairs, fireplace, and windows child-proofed? Are there any physical concerns you may have, such as a pool or unused cars or equipment in the backyard? Does the provider keep firearms in the home? If so, are they locked up and stored away from reach? Are there plenty of interesting and age-appropriate toys and materials for your child to play with? Does the provider offer a preschool program or help prepare your child for school? Does the provider offer transportation to and from school? If the provider transports your children, is the provider trained on car seat and vehicle safety? Ask about the provider’s driving record.Points to consider in choosing family child care This organization’s mission is to recognize high quality in family child care. Providers may receive accreditation through the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC). Providers may have additional education, such as a degree in early childhood education, community college courses, or training through child care associations. Licensing requires that providers take pediatric CPR, first aid, and health and safety classes. Licensing has minimum health and safety standards that providers must follow. Finally, when you contact your local resource and referral agency and Community Care Licensing, double-check the ratio.įamily child care providers are required to be licensed if they care for the children of more than one family.Ask if she cares for school-age children.Ask the provider the number of children she is licensed for.Find out how many adults and children are present.When looking at a family child care home: The children of the provider and assistant who are under the age of ten are included in determining the adult-to-child ratio. The number of children cared for at a family child care home may vary, depending on the age of the children and whether an assistant is pre-sent.
You should expect professional service and should treat your provider as a professional. The types of family child care homes vary widely, from the neighborhood parent who cares for a few children to a large family child care home that cares for up to 14 children. Because family child care is home-based, children tend to be cared for in a family-like setting with all the daily activities usually associated with home. It may be in a mobile home park or in an apartment. The home may be rented, leased, or owned. Licensed family child care homes refer to child care in an individual’s private home.