Congregations Caring for Children

A Parent's Guide to Quality Child Care

A Parent's Guide to Quality Child Care

A Parent's Guide to Quality Child Care

A Parent's Guide to Quality Child Care

A Parent's Guide to Quality Child Care

While no one can replace you, quality child care will offer a stimulating, nurtur 

ing environment which should help prepare your child for school and to reach

his/her full potential.

So what exactly is quality child care? Well, quality is defined as a degree of excel 

lence. This means not average, not  it will do  child care, but excellent child care.

Bottom line, you need to feel that the child care provider you select will offer a

safe and stimulating, loving environment in which your child will mentally and

physically thrive.

Characteristics of quality

As you begin your search, here's what to look for in quality child care:

Settings that are safe and provide small group sizes and adult to child ratios

encouraging the best opportunities for development;

Caregivers or teachers who have experience and are trained in early child 

hood development;

Settings that offer opportunities for meaningful parent involvement;

Learning materials and teaching styles that are age appropriate and respect 

ful of children's cultural and ethnic heritage; and

Learning opportunities that promote your child's success in school.

Adapted from  What are the benefits of high quality?  National Association for the Education of

Young Children, 1509 16th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20036 1426

One thing is certain:  you can never begin your child care search too soon. If

possible, start your child care search at least six months before you need the care.

The more time and thought you put into choosing your provider, the better

you'll feel with your choice.

Choosing Quality Child Care

While the many choices and varying advice regarding child care may seem

overwhelming, in the end your feelings will help you choose your provider. Your

local child care resource and referral (R&R) agency offers a wealth of information

right at your fingertips   and it's free. Child care resource and referral agencies

are located in every county in California. By dialing 1 800 KIDS 793 you can get

the phone number of your county's resource and referral agency.

Types of Child Care

Depending on the age of your child, there are several types of child care you may

need to consider. The following provides a description of settings from infant to

school age child care.

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