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 This most important topic brings me memories when I used to work outside from home and I have to confront of this issue: finding a high quality childcare.  I am a professional in this field and I don't qualify for a government subsidized childcare.  My options were narrowed down to looking for a qualified family childcare provider for my two children at that time -- ages, 2 and 1.  I clearly remembered interviewing about 20 family childcare providers in my area before selecting one that meets minimum of my professional standards.  Out of those 20 family childcare providers' home that I interviewed and visited, I found one that I felt comfortable in leaving my children safe.  This provider have a 6 units in child development and have 16 years experience in the business.  I figured that this provider have less formal education yet she has a number of years of experience to counter-offer.  Nowadays, there are only a few family childcare providers that are qualified to give a high quality childcare to your child.  You are considered fortunate and blessed if you find one.  That's why I do what I do now.  Daily, I strive to provide the highest quality care to my own children and extend these services to other families that find me.

 In my professional opinion, finding a high quality childcare is mostly found in  government subsidized programs such as Headstart because these programs are monitored daily by different liscensing and funding agencies or sponsor.  If you are lucky to qualify in these programs, most likely your children are receiving the highest quality of care.  The caregivers or teachers are professionally trained and skilled in early childhood education.  Most of these Headstart programs are found in a center base and a few qualified family childcare providers such as myself that these programs caters to.

Basically, there are 3 childcare/preschool options out there:  subsidized programs such as headstart or state preschool, religious and private institution childcare/preschool and the family childcare homes.

Headstart and state preschools are funded by federal and state governments.  They provide highest quality childcare/preschool due to governments' standards and requirements to adhere to.  Also, the child to adult ratio in these programs are 8:1 for preschool and 3:1 for infants and toddlers.  Child to adult ratio is another important factor to add to the equation in finding a high quality childcare. 

Religious and private sponsored center based childcare programs are businesses that belongs to a private business owner or a church.  Some teach religious materials while others don't.  The child to adult ratio in these programs are 12:1 for preschoolers and 4:1 for infants and toddlers. 

Family childcare homes are private small businesses that offers childcare to the community.  Most of these family child care operators varies with their education and experience.  Some offer a preschool service while others don't.  The child to adult ratio is 8:1 for preschoolers and 3:1 for infants and toddlers. 

If you are looking for a high quality childcare, I would suggest to interview, interview, interview! Ask these questions:

1.  How long are their experience in taking care with children and what age group?

2.  How many child development units they may have and what are they? (They will have a better understanding in taking care of your child based on your child's developmental level, age-appropriate activities, learning styles, etc. The more child development units, the better.  Child development is a study about human development from age zero to adulthood).

3.  Are they First-aid and CPR certified? (Safety purposes in an emergency when your child is choking, have a bad accident, drowning, etc.)

4.  Ask what are their discipline styles and measures.  (If using time-out, need to be base on number of minutes by the age.  For example, 3 minutes for a 3 year old, etc.

5.  Finally, visit the facility, look around for physical dangers and safety for your child.  The more safety precautions and measures, the better. 

  a. Is caregiver/teacher speaking at your child's eye level?

  b.  Are cleaning & hazardous materials locked in a cabinet or in a safe place inaccessible to children.

  c.  Do they wash toys and disinfect them? How often?

  d.  Where are the children nap? Does separate bags were provided for each child's mat?

  e.  Is the facility have child restraint locks in cabinets and doors?

I have so much to share on this topic.  You can either email me or post on this blog for an answer for a specific question or concern.

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