Congregations Caring for Children

Infant and toddler care

When looking for quality care for infants and toddlers, look for a provider who

seems to enjoy your child by talking and interacting with him or her in a warm,

friendly way. It is important that your little one is included in activities but stays

safe when around older children. Keep these questions in mind when looking for

quality infant and toddler care:

Does the provider keep a clean diaper changing area which can be disinfected

after every diaper change?

Does she wash her hands after every diaper change and between diaper

changes?

What are the sleeping arrangements? Where are cribs located?

What experience has the provider had with infants and toddlers?

Who supplies the diapers? Formula? Baby food?

How is your infant fed? Is she held and cuddled with every bottle feeding?

Fed on her own schedule?

Does the provider encourage you to bring breast milk and stop in throughout

the day to breast feed your baby?

Is there a special outside play area for infants and toddlers?

What are the ages of the other children?

What is the provider's plan for dealing with separation and attachment issues

which happen during the first years of life?

Does the provider ask you what your child likes and needs?

Does the provider read, sing, and provide toys that are appropriate for your

child's age?

Preschool care

Preschoolers need room to run, jump, climb, and socialize. Look for a provider

that can expose your child to books, toys, art, music, and  share time,  which

will help him prepare for school without pushing him too much.

Find out:

What is the preschool's daily schedule?

Do the providers interact with the children and stay close to observe them?

Do the providers get down to the level of the child? Is eye contact being

made?

Do the children respond in a positive way to the providers?

Do you see smiles exchanged?

With regard to art projects, does the provider believe that process or product

is the more important?

Are there creative materials for pretending so that the children can use their

imagination at all times?

How much climbing, running, or jumping will the children have each day?

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