VERY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS PARENTS NEED TO ASK BEFORE ENROLLING CHILDREN INTO CHILD CARE

(The difference between a Family Child Care Center is they can provide child care to 6-8 children or a Group Child Care Center (the owner may own several child care centers) can provide child care to 8 or more children).

These are some questions you should ask a child care provider. When you contact a child care center be sure to ask who it is that you are talking to, and what that person’s role or job is at the child care center. It might be helpful to begin your conversation by saying, “I am looking for child care; can you answer some questions for me?”

1. Is the child care center CDA Credential or NAEYC Accredited? ** see below
2. What days and hours of the week do you offer child care?”
3. “What are the ages of the children currently in your care?”
4. “How many children are in your center?”
5. “Are you a regulated family child care provider (Provisionally Certified, Certified or State (Group) Licensed)?”
6. “How long have you worked with children and what training do you have in child care?”
7. “Do you have an opening for my child’s, age group?”
8. “How many teachers are in each classroom or group, and what is their training?”
9. “How many children are in each classroom or group?”
10. “What is a typical day like in your child care center/home?”
11. “Do you smoke or does anyone in your home smoke?”
12. “Are there any pets in your home? What kind?”
13. “Do you serve meals to the children? What type of foods is usually served?”
14. “How do you handle discipline in your child care center/home?”
15. “Do the children watch TV? If so, how long and which shows?”
16. “What is your illness policy”?
17. “Do you ever go on errands while the children are with you? If so, who watches the children while you are away?”
18. “Will my child play outside part of the day?”
19. “Do you take the children on trips or outings? What type of transportation do you use?”
20. “What are your fees and how often do I need to pay that amount?”
21. “Are there any registration fees or extra charges?”
22. “May I visit my child at any time?”
23. “What do I need to do to start my child in your child care center?”
24. “How many different adults will be with my child during the day?”
25. “Are there other adults who visit your home/center regularly that might have contact with my child?”
26. “How will I know how my child is doing in your child care center?”
27. What would happen if someone other than the child’s parent comes to pick him /her up?”
28. “If I decide that my child isn’t going to attend your center anymore, how soon do I need to let the center know?”
29. “What else can you tell me about your child care center?”
30. “When can I come for a visit?”

**The Child Development Associate (CDA) is a national, professional award granted by the Council of Early Childhood Professional Recognition in Washington, DC. 

**A CDA credential will demonstrate your commitment to meet the needs of children in your care. It will demonstrate your professional commitment to working with parents, and other adults to nurture and provide for, children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth in an and early learning childcare setting. It’s 100% about the quality of child care services being provided. Parents are going to be notified what criteria to look for in a child care centers/homes.

**National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation is a voluntary system by which programs measure themselves against a national set of standards.

Make an informed decision when entrusting your child to the care of a provider.
CLICK HERE to obtain more information and to print a copy of “very important questions parents need to ask before enrolling children into childcare.” This brochure is developed to assist you with selecting a childcare center to meet your needs in making the right choice to positively impact your child’s future.

To help us understand the need in providing a list of quality child care centers available to you, please email us with this subject line: YES, QUALITY CENTERS.