Child Care Checklist for Parents:

(See also, the Quality Indicators for good child care page)
Today more and more families are in search of quality child care. Faced with the reality of both parents having to go back to work, choosing the right child care facility can be a tough decision. Child care should be a safe, happy, and loving environment as well as convenient and affordable. Finding quality child care is never easy, but it is well worth the time and effort. Here are a few things that may make the task a little easier:
  1. Get Organized: Know what your options are within your community. You probably have a good idea of the type of child care facility that is right for your family. It may a child care center, Head Start program, public school program, or maybe in home child care. Ask for recommendations from coworkers, family members, and friends. In Morgan County you can call the Morgan County Family Center at 970-867-9606. They can provide you with the names of day care providers within the community.
  2. Telephone Interview: By conducting a telephone interview you save time and energy. It is a good idea to contact three or four different caregivers. A few things you may want to ask are hours, location, availability, cost, and when you would be able to come in for a visit. Avoid calling during busy times of the day.
  3. Make a Visit: Make sure to visit at least three different locations. Give yourself plenty of time to visit, at least one hour. Make a checklist such as the one provided below. It should consist of things you want to ask the provider before your visit, and remember to ask for at least three references.
  4. Make a Decision: Always review the information that you have gathered and call the center back if you have any unanswered questions or questions that you forgot to ask. If your child is old enough, get their input and let them visit the facility as well. It is OK to be choosy when it comes time to make a decision. If you are not happy with a facility that you have found, keep looking. Remember our children deserve the best care that we can give them.
Child Care Checklist of Parents: (Click for print version)
Items to be ask about:
  Health and Safety Items:
  License / Up-to-date
  Child Safety gates, caps on electrical outlets, first aid kit
  Fire exit plan and alternative route
  Clean play area
  Enough space for the number of children
  Safe outside play area / fenced
  Healthy meals and snacks
  First Aid, CPR certified
  Daily Routines:
  Warm greeting
  Learning activities
  Outdoor time
  Free play time
  Children read to on a daily basis
  Art activities
  Nap time / relaxed not stressful
  Pick up time / greeted warmly
  Affection and Attention:
  Individual Attention
  Speaks in a calm voice
  Relaxed / Flexible
  Gentle
  Respectful
  Good adult supervision
  Other Questions to Ask:
  How do you discipline children?
  How much TV are the children allowed to watch?
  How do you handle toilet training?
  How do you handle emergencies?
  Are the children ever taken on field trips?
  Are the children ever driven in a car? Do you use seatbelts / car seats?
  How long have you been in business and/or licensed?
  Things to ask yourself when you get home from your visit:
  Was I welcomed with a warm greeting?
  Was I given a brief tour of the facility?
  Did they explain their fees and policies?
  Was I given a brief explanation of the daily routines?
  Was the overall environment friendly?
  How were the other children acting? Were there happy sounds?
  Is this the environment my child would enjoy coming to daily?
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