Child Care: Questions to Ask About Infant/Toddler Family Care

What is family child care?

Family child care is done by providers who are licensed to care for children in their home. The caregiver is often a mother with her own small children. Family child care providers are licensed by the state. The states also have rules about the number of adults needed to take care of a certain number of children. Generally, a child care home should not have more than 6 children per adult caregiver, including the caregiver's own children. No caregiver working alone should care for more than 2 children who are under 2 years of age.

Ask the Child Care Provider:

• Can you tell me more about your background and experience?
• What are some reasons you enjoy taking care of children? Do you have children of your own?
• How will my child be transported if you leave the house? Do I need to provide a car seat?
• What are your expectations regarding length of commitment?
• Do you smoke? Do you have any health problems?
• Are you trained in first aid and CPR for children?
• What kinds of activities might you plan for my child?
• What are your views on discipline? Meals? Television? Computers? Video Games? Playmates?
• What would you do if ____? (Give examples relevant to your situation: medical and personal emergencies, common problems with child.)
• Can you give me several references?
• May I have a tour of your home?
• Do you have a current licensing permit?
• What are the tuition payments? When are they due?
• What are the hours? Holiday and vacation schedule?
• Do you provide meals or snacks? Is there a charge for food?
• What other extra charges might I expect to pay?
• Are fees reduced if more than one child enrolls?
• Are deductions offered for periods of absence?
• What is the caregiver to child ratio? Federal guidelines for centers suggest no more than 1:3 for infants; 1:4 for toddlers; 1:8 for children aged 3 to 6.
• What is the procedure for medical emergencies?
• What are the policies regarding illness? (for example, are parents contacted if another child has a contagious disease? Does caregiver have someone to substitute in case she gets sick?)
• What questions do you have for me?

Observe or Ask About:

Home

Does the home have:

• plenty of toys and art materials?
• enough indoor and outdoor space for children to play?
• special areas for quiet and active play?
• safe, creative outdoor play equipment?
• a quiet place for homework?
• places to practice extracurricular skills (sports, music, dance)?
• smoke detectors and fire extinguishers? Regular fire drills? Alternate exits?

Caregiver

Does the caregiver:

• welcome my questions and suggestions?
• share my childrearing philosophy?
• take time to share my child's experiences with me?
• really listen and talk to the children?
• sensitively handle feelings of fear, shyness, upset, and anger?
• respect each child's unique background and interests?
• guide rather than direct behavior?
• seem cheerful, affectionate, and warm?
• have training and experience in early child education?
• establish and consistently maintain limits?

Program

Does the program:

• balance active, physical activities with quiet, restful ones?
• provide ample rest and nap times?
• prohibit play that could quickly get out of hand?
• patiently encourage toddlers to solve some problems on their own?
• help children deal with feelings constructively?
• have a well-defined, predictable schedule of daily activities?
• balance structured and unstructured activities?
• encourage language development?

Health and Safety

• Does the home have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers? Regular fire drills? Alternate exits?
• Are important phone numbers posted near the phone? (Examples include police, fire, poison control center, hospital, children's physician, ambulance.)
• Does your caregiver always know how to get in touch with both parents?
• Are parents contacted if another child has a contagious illness or an accident?
• Does your child receive constant supervision, indoors and out?
• Is your baby checked often when in a crib or playpen?
• Is all baby equipment strong, stable, and in good repair?
• Is the crib latched?
• Are the crib slats no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart? Does the crib have bumper pads? Does the mattress firmly abut the side of the crib?
• Does the home have separate cribs and crib sheets for each infant?
• Do strollers or infant seats have safety harnesses?
• Are the crib and playpen free of toys that could be used to climb out?
• Can all doors be opened from the outside at all times?
• Are the doors and windows locked?
• Do strong screens or metal bars cover the windows (especially important above ground level)? Do all glass doors have decals?
• Are the rooms well ventilated and comfortable year-round?
• Are the bathroom facilities clean and easily accessible to children?
• Are latched safety gates placed at the top and/or bottom of stairways?
• Are stairways and walkways free from clutter?
• Are small, sharp, or otherwise dangerous items out of reach or locked in a cupboard, drawer, or cabinet? (Examples include pins, thumbtacks, paper clips, matches, lighters, knives, plastic bags, scissors, guns, razor blades, glassware, working appliances.)
• Are poisonous items stored out of reach or locked in cupboards, drawers, or cabinets? (Examples include cleaning products, polish, bleach, medicines, cosmetics, perfumes, aerosol cans, and first aid supplies.)
• Are the home and yard free from poisonous plants?
• Are all foods or drinks within reach safe for your child? (Examples of dangerous foods or beverages: any food that a child could choke on like popcorn or hard candy; beverages that are hot or alcoholic.)
• Is your child kept away from dangerous places like the stove or hot water faucets? Do all electrical sockets have protective covers?
• Have furniture and other household objects with sharp corners been padded or removed?
• Has attention been paid to objects that could be pulled or knocked over? (Examples include tablecloths, electrical cords, lamps, furniture.)
• Is your child safe around pets? Are pet dishes out of reach?
• Are toys safe, clean, and in good repair?
• Are play surfaces, indoors and out, softened with carpeting or wood chips?
• Is the outdoor area fenced and free of hazards?
• Is the play equipment safe and appropriate for my child's level of development?

Meals

• Is my caregiver knowledgeable about my baby's food requirements and feeding schedule?
• Does the caregiver serve food I want my child to eat?
• Are children allowed to leave food on their plates? (They should never be forced to eat.)
• Are portions small and second helpings available?
• Is the kitchen clean?