"Questions to ask" to help find quality child careGroup Day Care Centers

What is Quality Child Care?

That question has no easy, quick answers. To parents, evaluating child care may seem an overwhelming task, especially if you're new to child care services.

This checklist can help. Use it in whatever way best suits your needs. For a thorough evaluation, go through the entire checklist, section by section. Or, if you prefer, zero in on parts that seem most important to you.

General things to look out for

*Is the license posted?

*Are parents' visits, announced or unannounced, welcome anytime?

*Are there opportunities for parent/caregiver communication?

*Is this the kind of place you would enjoy spending your day?

Licensed care

Licensed programs fall into three categories:

*group day care centers - 9 or more children

*family day care centers - 4 to 8 children

*day camps

Regulations set standards for adequate child care, but cannot guarantee quality care. That's why parent involvement in evaluating child care is so crucial.

(licensed to care for 9 or more children)

Age of Child-Staff Maximum

Child Ratio Group size

0 to 2 4:1 8

2 to 2&1/2 6:1 12

2&1/2 to 3 8:1 16

3 to 4 10:1 20

4 to 5 13:1 24

5 to 6 17:1 32

6 & up 18:1 32

*These ratios are adjusted for mixed age groups.

Family Day Care Centers

(licensed for 4-8 children)

A family child care provider can care for no more than eight children under age seven, including his or her own. Age groups may be mixed, according to the following combinations. Additional allowed numbers of school-aged children are shown.

Children Children Maximum

Under 2 age 2-7 Group size

0 8 8

1 7 8

2 5 7 +1

3 2 5 +3

4 0 4 +2

A word on Wisconsin child care regulations: Anyone caring for four or more children under the age of seven must be licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services. Exceptions are relatives caring for your children or baby-sitters who come into your home.

Some things to look for . . .

Caregivers

*Do the caregivers genuinely seem to enjoy working with young children?

*Do they seem to be warm, loving people?

*Do they talk with you, the parent, openly and straightforwardly about their policies?

*Do they have training and experience in child care?

*Do they receive regular, ongoing additional training related to their jobs?

*Do the caregivers seem to get along well with each other?

Caregiver/Child Interactions

*Do the caregivers get down to child's eye level when talking or listening to children?

*Do they encourage children to express their feelings verbally?

*Do they encourage children to work out negative feelings, anger, fear, frustration - without hurting others?

*Do caregivers respect individual differences among the children?

*Do disciplinary measures focus on what the child is to do, rather than what not to do?

*Do caregivers set reasonable limits with children and also allow children to make choices when appropriate?

*Do they discipline with words, tone of voice and actions that show respect for children? (State licensing rules prohibit corporal punishment and any humiliating, frightening or abusive punishment).

*Do caregivers show patience in letting children do something for themselves and exert their independence?

*Do the children seem comfortable in coming up to talk to the caregivers?

*Do the children seem happily occupied and relaxed?

*Does the ratio of children to caregivers meet state requirements as outlined in the graphic?

Program/Activities

*Is there a regular daily schedule? Is it organized, without being rigid?

*Are activities geared for different age and developmental levels?

*Are there both indoor and outdoor activities?

*Is time provided for both physical activity and quiet play?

*Is there a nap or rest period?

*Are there structured activities, as well as free play when children can choose what to do?

*Are there opportunities for different types of interactions - large group play, playing with a few other children, playing alone?

Are there materials for:

*Dramatic play - dolls, puppets, dress-up clothes?

*Language skills - reading books, activity books, a reading corner?

*Creative movement and music - records, instruments, dance props?

*Gross motor exercise - climbing structures, riding toys, tumbling mats?

*Fine motor exercise - puzzles, sorting boxes, pegboards?

*Art materials - crayons, paints, scissors, clay?

*Sand and water play?

(State licensing rules set minimum requirements for materials and equipment)

*Do the children have opportunities to learn about sharing and getting along with others?

*Are there opportunities to learn about the child's own and other's cultures and to learn respect for people of different ages, races, cultures and abilities?

Physical Environment

*Are the play areas clean and large enough so children can move freely and safely, without activities interfering with each other?

*Is the playground safe and supervised by an adult so that children can't wander away?

*Is play equipment (indoor and outdoor) sturdy and in good repair?

*Are games, toys, etc., stored where the children can get to them?

*Are wall displays placed at child's eye level?

*Are unused electrical sockets covered with safety caps?

*Are cleaning fluids, medications, poisons, sharp tools, matches, etc., stored away from children?

*Is the center or home free of other hazards: peeling paint, exposed electrical wires, uncovered hot water pipes, unprotected hot radiators or heaters?

*Are fire safety drills practiced?

*Are emergency telephone numbers posted by the telephones?

*Is there adequate heat, ventilation and lighting?

*Are bathrooms clean and sanitary?

*Are there footstools in the bathrooms to help young children reach toilets and sinks?

Meals and Snacks

*Are meals and snacks balanced and wholesome?

*Is the food preparation area clean and sanitary?

*Are menus posted in advance?

*Does mealtime seem enjoyable, relaxed and unhurried?

*Do the staff members sit with the children at the tables?

Extra considerations

for special age groups

Infants and Toddlers

*Do the caregivers provide enough cuddling, holding and attention?

*Do they spend time playing with and talking to the baby?

*Do they provide stimulation by naming things and pointing out things to look at and touch?

*Is there a safe place to sleep where the child can't roll out and be injured?

School-Age Children

*Are activities varied, with recreational activities, rest and quiet areas, and freedom for children to select activities?

*Are activities provided that will be interesting for this age level, rather than just an extension of day care activities?

*Are staff able to understand and cope with the conflicts and confusions that come up with older children?

*Will the children be accompanied by an adult from school to the child care center?

Information taken from "Child Care Checklist" printed by the Child Care Information Center, Madison, WI.

If You Have Concerns or Complaints

First, talk to your child's caregiver to try to work out your differences. If those attempts fail, and you feel the caregiver is violating a state licensing regulation, contact your regional Division of Community Services office. In our area, contact the Southern Office, 3601 Memorial Drive, Madison, Wis. 53704-1105, 608-243-2400, Fax 608-243-2426. Counties they serve: Adams, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Juneau, Lafayette, Richland, Rock, Sauk.