Choosing Quality Child Care

Finding a child care provider who meets the needs of both you and your child is one of the most important things that you will ever do for your child and his/her future. The following are some questions that you should consider asking when you interview a potential provider. Remember, DO YOUR RESEARCH! Take your time in selecting the care option that is best for your family, and then take your time in making your selection.

Child Care Checklist

When you make your first call, ask:

Are there any current openings for my child?
Is the center/home licensed or registered?
What are the hours of operation?
Where is the facility located?
How much are the fees?
When are payments due?
Are fees charged for absences?
Are there fees if I must be late in picking up my child?
How many children are being cared for in the home or center?
How much child care training and experience with children do you (and the staff) have?
What is your staff turnover rate?
What ages do you serve?
Must a child be toilet trained?
If this is a home setting, are there others living in the home? Ages and relationship to the provider?
Are there pets or smoking in the home?

What to ask when you visit the center or home:

Will I be welcome to visit at any time?
How do you handle discipline?
How do you handle an emergency?
What do you do if my child is sick?
Is there a back-up caregiver?
Where do the children sleep?
Have caregivers received training in child care?
May I see a copy of your license?
May I have a list of parents who have used your care?
Will my child be going on field trips?
Are the children required to be toilet trained?
Am I expected to provide food?

Information to give the person caring for your child:

child's allergies to food, insects, medicine, etc.
where a parent or guardian can be reached
name and phone number of your doctor, dentist
neighbor, friend, or relative to contact in case of emergency
hospital authorization emergency medical release form
description of child eating habits and established routines

Child Care Checklist
When you make your first call, ask: Are there any current openings for my child? Is the center/home licensed or registered? What are the hours of operation? Where is the facility located? How much are the fees? When are payments due? Are fees charged for absences? Are there fees if I must be late in picking up my child? How many children are being cared for in the home or center? How much child care training and experience with children do you (and the staff) have? What is your staff turnover rate? What ages do you serve? Must a child be toilet trained? If this is a home setting, are there others living in the home? Ages and relationship to the provider? Are there pets or smoking in the home?	What to ask when you visit the center or home: Will I be welcome to visit at any time? How do you handle discipline? How do you handle an emergency? What do you do if my child is sick? Is there a back-up caregiver? Where do the children sleep? Have caregivers received training in child care? May I see a copy of your license? May I have a list of parents who have used your care? Will my child be going on field trips? Are the children required to be toilet trained? Am I expected to provide food?
Information to give the person caring for your child: child's allergies to food, insects, medicine, etc. where a parent or guardian can be reached name and phone number of your doctor, dentist neighbor, friend, or relative to contact in case of emergency hospital authorization emergency medical release form description of child eating habits and established routines

Child Care Choices Available
Child Care Centers This category includes day care centers, preschools, nursery schools, before and after school programs, and Head Start Programs. A Child Care Center needs a license from the State.	Group Day Care Homes Homes in which two or more adults provide care for up to 12 children. *A Group Day Care Home requires a license from the State.*	Family Day Care Homes Homes where an adult cares for one to six children. *A Family Day Care Home must be registered with the State.*
Relative Care Provider A child's grandparent, great-grandparent, aunt, uncle, or adult brother or sister who provides care in his or her own home. Relative providers must be at least 18 years old and enrolled with the Department of Human Services (DHS) to receive child care payments from the State.	Day Care Aide A person you employ to care for your child(ren) in your home. Aides must be at least 16 years old and enrolled in the Department of Human Services (DHS) to receive child care payments from the State.	Remember, licensed and registered care facilities must be inspected so that they meet fire, safety and health regulations put forth by the State of Michigan. Using licensed or regulated care is one way in which you can best protect for your child when you are at work. Use licensed or regulated care!

Things tofor when you visit the home or center

Caregiver

frequent interaction between caregiver and children
warm, available and responsive to children
treats children with respect and consideration
concern for each child's individual needs
open and friendly to parent - makes you feel welcome
uses positive behavior management techniques
provides direct supervision at all times
exhibits commitment to children and their growth and development
children appear happy and involved
has current CPR and First Aid Training

Environment

space is clean and well-organized
follows all health and safety requirements
no strong or unpleasant odors
offers enough space for naps, indoor and outdoor play
attractive and equipped for children
provides nutritious meals and snacks
adequate and safely stored first aids supplies
has a posted plan in case of accident, fire or other emergency
provides a space for each child's things

Program

staffing meets the state licensing criteria for adult/child ratio
flexible scheduling (to accommodate children's needs and disruptions of routine)
has a balance of free play and routines
based on child development theories and recent brain research
an inclusive environment that teaches tolerance
both indoor and outdoor play daily
a large choices of toys and equipment for child to encourage active, quiet and creative play, such as blocks, books, puzzles, dress-up clothes, art materials, paste, paper, scissors, paint, crayons, etc.
freedom to express feelings
teaches peaceful conflict resolution

Things tofor when you visit the home or center
Caregiver frequent interaction between caregiver and children warm, available and responsive to children treats children with respect and consideration concern for each child's individual needs open and friendly to parent - makes you feel welcome uses positive behavior management techniques provides direct supervision at all times exhibits commitment to children and their growth and development children appear happy and involved has current CPR and First Aid Training	Environment space is clean and well-organized follows all health and safety requirements no strong or unpleasant odors offers enough space for naps, indoor and outdoor play attractive and equipped for children provides nutritious meals and snacks adequate and safely stored first aids supplies has a posted plan in case of accident, fire or other emergency provides a space for each child's things
Program staffing meets the state licensing criteria for adult/child ratio flexible scheduling (to accommodate children's needs and disruptions of routine) has a balance of free play and routines based on child development theories and recent brain research an inclusive environment that teaches tolerance both indoor and outdoor play daily a large choices of toys and equipment for child to encourage active, quiet and creative play, such as blocks, books, puzzles, dress-up clothes, art materials, paste, paper, scissors, paint, crayons, etc. freedom to express feelings teaches peaceful conflict resolution

If you become concerned about . . . .

the cleanliness of the home or center;
the safety of the home or center;
the treatment of the children;
the adult caring for your child;
the program, equipment or activities of the home or center,

Call the Division of Child Day Care Licensing at
1-866-856-0126

The Freedom of Information Act allows you to access any information that the State of Michigan maintains on each child care provider. You may request a copy of a provider's file by calling 517-373-3598. For the request, you will need the child care provider's name and address.

If you become concerned about . . . .
the cleanliness of the home or center; the safety of the home or center; the treatment of the children; the adult caring for your child; the program, equipment or activities of the home or center, Call the Division of Child Day Care Licensing at 1-866-856-0126 The Freedom of Information Act allows you to access any information that the State of Michigan maintains on each child care provider. You may request a copy of a provider's file by calling 517-373-3598. For the request, you will need the child care provider's name and address.

Last Updated March 2, 2004

Choosing Quality Child Care

Child Care Checklist

When you make your first call, ask:

What to ask when you visit the center or home:

Information to give the person caring for your child:

Child Care Choices Available

Child Care Centers

Group Day Care Homes

Family Day Care Homes

Relative Care Provider

Day Care Aide

Things tofor when you visit the home or center

Caregiver

Environment

Program

If you become concerned about . . . .

Call the Division of Child Day Care Licensing at1-866-856-0126

Call the Division of Child Day Care Licensing at
1-866-856-0126