Get ready to screenshot and save the following Top 10 Things to L👀K for when Choosing a Childcare Provider in 2021.

Helping hands comes to you in partnership with COAD4Kids 

Choosing a childcare provider can be overwhelming and exhausting.  There is light at the end of the dark tunnel and you can even travel down a tunnel with well-lit lights and friendly stops along the way with folks offering assistance – for free!

First, choose the type of childcare:

• Child care centers (Licensed)
• Family Child care (taking children to a provider’s home with no more than 3 other children otherwise they must follow statewide requirements)
• In-Own-home caregivers (Nannies come into your house)
• Care provided by relatives, friends and neighbors

Once you’ve narrowed down the childcare providers close to home or work with an opening, schedule a visit and look for the following:

10:  

Are children getting individual, positive attention?

9:

Can you see safety signs, smoke detectors, fire estinguishers, first aid kits prominently 
displayed in the rooms?

8:

Are there child appropriate schedules or decorations on the walls at child eye level? 
Is there child art work displayed?

7:

Are there a variety of toys and learning materials like puzzles and books?

6:

Are there individual napping areas (cots, pack-n-plays or cribs)?

5:

Are there child sized restrooms including sinks?

4:

How is the security into and out of the building and each room?

3:

What does meal time look like? Do you provide food, if so how is it stored and labeled? 
Are there eating schedules?

2:

Is there a Step up to Quality star poster or License displayed?

1:

Are children (mostly) happily involed in activities?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Choosing a Childcare

COAD4Kids can help parents navigate childcare with plentiful resources and expertise in Tuscarawas and Ashland Counties.  Many of the resources for families are easy to read and understand.  There are videos, activities, factsheets, scholarship opportunities, and free parent training.  There is also staff available to answer questions over the phone (330) 577-2276 and discuss local options if this is new territory for you.

Listen to COAD4Kids’ Kelly Goodell, Regional Coordinator for Prevention Services and Wendy Thompson Professional Development Specialist discuss what parents can consider when choosing child care.

 

Keep up to date with:

        Newsymom

 &

   COAD4Kids