Quality care provides a safe, healthy environment and supports the social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional development of children. Choosing the best child care arrangement for your child takes time, but is well worth the effort. Here are three basic steps to help you make the right choice for your child:
1. List Your Needs
It is important to ensure that your child's unique needs will be met in the child care facility or family day home you choose. For example, if your child needs a lot of quiet time, a large, busy centre may not be the best choice. Some points to consider are:
- Your child's age
- The types of activities your child enjoys
- The number and ages of children your child enjoys being with
- Any food allergies or food preferences that must be accommodated
Some other questions to consider are:
- What are the provincial regulations for child care services? Have I reviewed the Licensing Standards and Best Practices Manual?
- What are your philosophies about child care and child guidance?
- If you have more than one child, would you prefer them to be in the same facility or family day home?
- Do you need care during shift work, overtime or during holidays?
- Are you willing or able to provide snacks or meals?
- Does the child care facility or family day home need to be near home, work or transportation?
- How much can you afford to pay?
- Do you require assistance with your child care fees for your pre-school children? If so, check out the child care subsidy information.
2. Locate a Child Care Facility or Family Day Home Agency
- Find out about child care facilities or family day home agencies in your community
- Talk to friends and neighbours about their recommendations for child care
- Contact your local Child and Family Service Authority for a list of child care facilities or Family Day Home Agencies
- Go to the Alberta Children's Services web site at: http://www.child.gov.ab.ca/ to find a day care centre or family day home for your child
3. Visit a Child Care Facility or Family Day Home - A Checklist for Parents
To help you choose child care the booklets "Choosing a Day Care Centre: a Guide for Parents" and "Choosing a Family Day Home: a Guide for Parents" are available. Before enrolling your child, please review the booklets and the child care centre's recent inspection reports.
When visiting a child care facility or family day home check:
- Facility and Equipment
- Is space arranged for children to freely choose activities?
- Are toys and equipment in reach of all children?
- Do toys and equipment suit the ages and sizes of all children?
- Are there enough toys for the number of children?
- Program of daily activities
- Can children choose from a variety of activities?
- Do activities suit the developmental ages of the children?
- Do children appear relaxed and involved in activities?
- Is there a provision for outdoor play?
Nutrition
- Does food for all children meet Canada's Food Guide?
- Do caregivers sit with children during meals?
Health and Safety
- Does staff or provider and children wash their hands before and after diapering or toileting?
- Are medications stored in a locked container, out of reach of children?
- Is all indoor and outdoor equipment clean and safe?
- Does staff or provider have First Aid in child care?
Child Care Staff/Provider
- Are staff/child or provider/child ratios in place?
- Are day care staff trained at required levels of certification?
- Are staff or provider engaged and involved with children?
- Does staff or provider calmly reassure children who are upset?
