Choosing a Child Care Program

For parents, finding the right child care program for your family is an important decision. Here are important things to consider when choosing where to enroll your child or children.

Basic Family Needs

• Consider the location. Look for schools that are conveniently close to your home or daily commute.
• Determine whether you need full-time or part-time care. Find out if the schedule and hours of operation will work for your family.
• Research average tuition costs in your area and determine what you can comfortably afford, keeping in mind that financial aid or state subsidies may be available.

Types of Child Care

• Center-based Child Care (offered in a classroom-like setting)
• Home-based Child Care (offered in a provider’s home)
• School-based Child Care (offered in a public school setting)

Visit the Program

• Take a tour, observe closely, and ask lots of questions.
• Get familiar with the policies, philosophy of care and education, guidance strategies, special needs support, and daily routines. Ask to review the parent handbook.
• Make sure safety and health needs are being addressed.
• Look for evidence of positive relationships and interactions.

Teachers and Staff

• Ask about the experience, education, and ongoing professional development of the staff.
• Confirm adequate teacher-to-child ratios and general supervision.

Learning Environment

• An environment that is developmentally appropriate for young children will encourage hands-on play and joyful exploration.
• There should be adequate space indoors and outdoors for movement and activities.
• Check what materials and activities are available for children and whether they encourage exploration and engagement.

Family Engagement

• Explore ways that the program encourages parent involvement.
  Ask how the program provides information and communicates with parents.
• Check on opportunities for families to participate in decision making and goal setting for their child and the program.
• Explore how home languages and culture will be supported.

After touring and reviewing your options, trust your instincts and see which environment feels like the best fit for your child’s unique personality and temperament.

When in doubt, it can be helpful to ask people you know and trust about local options and their experiences.