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Yesterday’s post dealt with the various options available to adoptive parents seeking to place their children in child care settings. Today’s post will address what to look for in a program and assess its fit for your child.
Whether in a traditional Child Care Center or a home-based Family Child Care program, indicators of a quality program will include the following:
Low caregiver to child ratios: This number will vary from state to state, but generally one caregiver to 3-4 infants (depending upon age of infant), and 1 caregiver for every 6-8 preschoolers, depending upon age.
Caregiver background/qualifications: Center-based caregivers are required by law to possess a certain number of Early Childhood Education units (this number will vary from state to state). These are specialized classes with respect to child development, curriculum planning and best child care practices. Center directors/administrators must carry additional units related to running a center-based program.
Low turnover: Particularly with children who have been adopted and may already have separation issues or attachment disorders, consistency is key. Particularly during certain developmental cycles (stranger anxiety, separation anxiety).
Written/posted/practiced disaster plan: Are there routinely scheduled drills, emergency preparedness kits for each child and caregiver
Clear sign-in/sign out policies: Children must be singed in each day with parents signature or initials and signed out. If someone else will drop off or pick up, that should be communicated in advance, or if it’s an emergency, you should list every conceivable person who might ever be called upon to pick your child up. Further, that person should be prepared to show picture ID. If there is a custody dispute or restraining order, caregivers should know not to allow your child to leave with the other parent.
Discipline policy: How are disciplinary issues handled?
Unannounced visits: Once a child is enrolled (not while a parent is still evaluating the program and thus a stranger to enrolled children) parents have the legal right to fully access their child and may do so unannounced if there are concerns.
Complaint information: Each state will maintain any previous complaints regarding the facility. Keep in mind that some complaints are unsubstantiated (proven not to have happened) and will not be listed in the complaint file. Substantiated complaints and those that are inconclusive (not able to be determine if the infractions occurred or not) will be listed.
Grievance procedures: Are there clear avenues for addressing and resolving issues with the center?
Illness: Are there strict sick day policies (tangibles such as: temperature, mucus color, etc.), and are they enforced? What if a child becomes ill during the day? Are there isolation areas so as to prevent the spread of illness?
Sanitization: Are toys cleaned and sanitized daily (particularly for infants and toddlers who tend to mouth things)?
Facilities: Separate toileting facilities for children and staff?
Infection control: Are hand washing/universal infection control techniques utilized?
Medications: How and where are meds stored? Medications must be clearly labeled, with the label still attached. Providers should be aware of the need to administer the medication with clear instructions as to timing and dosing. Parents must give written consent.
Safety precautions: Does the program use latches, child safety equipment, and areas not accessible to children for items not safe for children?
Emergency cards: Emergency cards must be on file for each child and must be current.
Diaper changes: There should be a separate area for changing diapers, and a sink for hand washing that is separate from the sink used for the preparation of food.
Our next post will discuss programmatic indicators of quality.
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