What to Look for in a Child Care Program

• Are staff members trained in infant-toddler development?
• Do caregivers speak to the children, even babies? Do they sing and read to the children?
• Do they answer children’s questions patiently? Do they ask children questions?
• Is each baby allowed to eat and sleep according to their own rhythms, and not based on a schedule imposed by the caregiver?
• For toddlers, is a daily schedule posted, using pictures and visuals, so that children can anticipate what will happen next?
• Are toys and materials well organized so that children can choose what interests them?
• Are caregivers able to accommodate the special needs of children?
• Does the environment accommodate the special needs of children?
• Do caregivers respect the language, culture and values of families in the program?
• How does the caregiver feel about discipline? Weaning? Toilet training? Feeding? Do the caregiver’s beliefs match your own?
• Does the caregiver handle conflicts without losing patience, shaming a child, or frequently displaying anger?
• Does the caregiver seem to enjoy children?
• Are you welcome to drop in at any time?
• Would your child feel good about coming here? Would you feel good about leaving your child here?
• Is the environment sanitary and safe?
• Is the setting appealing with comfortable lighting and an acceptable noise level?

For more information, please go to Zero to Three (Parent Pages)