Our CCR&R service will give
you, the parent, information in making informed choices about all
aspects of care for your children. We do not endorse or recommend any child care provider, we have a compiled list of child care providers that we offer to help you make the right decision for your family. |
Choosing Quality Child Care
When scheduling a visit with a caregiver, allow enough time to ask questions and observe the children's activities and their interactions with the caregiver and with each other.
- Establish a list of questions you would like to have answered by the caregiver.
- Schedule a visit.
- Reserve at least an hour to tour the home or center.
- Use the Visit and Observation Checklist.
- Ask for references.
- Interview several different caregivers to give you a basis for comparison.
- Notify caregivers or programs you did not choose.
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PROVIDER INTERVIEW
Questions to ask when choosing a provider:
- What background or special training do you have in child care?
- If you hire assistants, what background or special training do they have, and what is the rate of turnover for those positions?
- How do you provide for regular communication with parents?
- Is there an open visitation policy for parents?
- What is the policy on discipline?
- What meals and snacks are provided?
- What nutritional guidelines are followed?
- Do you participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program?
- How would you or an assistant handle a medical emergency?
- Have you or your assistants taken a pediatric CPR or first aid training?
- What insurance coverage do you carry?
- what provisions do you make when you or an assistant are unable to care for children due to illness or some other emergency?
- Is there a regular schedule of activities and does it allow for flexibility?
- Do you have a policy on television and video viewing?
- Is there a written parent agreement? What does it include?
- What are your fees?
- What are your long-term plans in regard to your child care business?
- Are you registered or licensed with the Iowa Department of Human Services?
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VISIT AND OBSERVATION CHECKLIST
___ Is the caregiver warm and friendly?
___ Does the caregiver respond quickly to the child?
___ Does the caregiver talk directly to the children and communicate with them at their level?
___ Does the caregiver have a sense of humor?
___ Does the caregiver appear kind and patient with the children?
___ Do the children appear relaxed and happy?
___ Do the children interact well with each other?
___ Are there rules for the children to follow and are they easily understood by them?
___ Does the home or center appear clean and comfortable?
___ Is there enough space for play and napping areas?
___ Is there enough furniture, toys and other equipment for the children?
___ Are furniture, toys and other equipment safe and in good repair?
___ Are dangerous items such as medicine, cleaners, poisons, matches and sharp instruments stored in a safe place?
___ Are there safety caps on electrical outlets?
___ Is there an emergency plan posted?
___ Is a first aid kit on the premises?
___ Are there working fire extinguishers and smoke detectors?
___ Are foods stored properly?
___ Are there definite sanitation and hand-washing rules?
___ If there are pets, have they been vaccinated?
___ Are pets friendly toward children?
___ Is there evidence of adequate supplies such as soap, toilet paper, individual towels or paper towels, individual glasses?
___ Does the outdoor play area appear safe and accessible?
___ Are there materials available for creative expression in art and music?
___ Are children's book and educational toys available?
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CHECKING REFERENCES
References can be a helpful tool in helping you make your final decision about a caregiver. References should be requested from the caregiver. When you call the reference ask the following questions:
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How long has your child been in the home or center?
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How does your child feel about the caregiver?
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What do you like about the caregiver and his or her methods?
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Is there anything you do not like about the caregiver's methods?
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Is it easy to talk to the caregiver?
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Is the caregiver open to your child's individual needs?
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How does the caregiver deal with problems or concerns?
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What kind of discipline does the caregiver use?
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What would you like to see the caregiver do differently?
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Would you choose this caregiver again?
CHILD DEVELOPMENT HOMES: Number of Children Allowed in Care
| Category |
Max # of
children
under 24
months in
care at any
one time |
Total # of
children school
age, including
under 24
months |
School age
children
(kindergarten
or higher
grade level)
|
Additional
Part-time
children |
Max. Capac-
ity |
Max. Capac-ity in bad weather/ emergency school closings |
A |
4
A max. of 3 maybe be under the age of 18 months |
6 |
2
For less than 2 hours at a time |
0 |
8 |
8 |
B |
4
A max. of 3 may be under the age of 18 months
|
6 |
4
Can be full time when no school. Asst. if more than 8 are there for more than 2 hours
|
2
At any one time
|
12 |
12
If more than 8 children are there, must use a 14 yr or older assistant |
C |
4
Whenever 4 children under 18 months are in care, both providers must be present
|
12
If more than 8 children are present, both providers must be present |
2
For less than 2 hours at at time |
2
At any one time
|
16
If more than 8 children are present, both providers must be present |
16
If more than 8 are present, you must have an 18 yr old or older assistant |
These numbers include the provider's infant and preschool children
Category B & C providers may use up to 180 part time hours per month.
Iowa Department of Human Services Child Care Registration Guidelines, Jan 2004.
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CHILD DEVELOPMENT HOMES: Facility, Provider, and Training Requirements
Iowa Department of Human Services, Child Care Registration Guidelines, Jan. 2004
| Category |
Facility Requirements |
Provider Qualifications |
Training Requirements |
A |
A. Fire Extinguisher
B. Smoke Detectors
|
A. 18 Years Old
B. 3 Reference Letters |
A. Within 1st 3 months
----Mandatory Reporter
----First Aid
B. 1st Year of Registration
----12 hrs. training, 2 hrs. health & safety.
C. 2nd year and following
----12 hrs. of training
|
B |
A. 35 Sq Ft/child indoors
B. 50 Sq Ft/child outdoors
C. Quiet area for sick children
D.Fire Safety
----Fire Extinguisher
----Smoke Detectors
----Two Direct Exits
|
A. 20 Years Old
B. High School Diploma/GED
C. Meet one:
----2 yrs experience working directly with children in care
----CDA or 2 or 4 yr degree in child care related field and 1yr experience working directly with children in child care.
|
A. Within 1st 3 months
----Mandatory Reporter
----First Aid
B. 1st Year of Registration
----12 hrs. training, 2 hrs must be health & safety
C. 2nd year and following
---12 hrs of training
|
C |
A. 35 Sq Ft/child indoors
B. 50 Sq Ft/child outdoors
C. Quiet area for sick children
D. Fire Safety:
----Fire Extinguisher
----Smoke Detectors
----Two Direct Exits
|
A. 21 Years Old
B. High School Diploma/GED
C. Meet One:
----5 yrs experience working directly with children in care
----CDA or 2 or 4 yr degree in child care related field and 4yrs experience working directly with children in child care |
A. Within 1st 3 months
----Mandatory Reporter
----First Aid
B. 1st year of registration
----12 hrs training, 2 hrs must be in health & safety
C. 2nd year and following
----12 hrs of training |
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As you weigh your choices, remember that the most important considerations revolve around trust. You should be able to trust that the caregiver you choose will attend to your child's individual needs. It is essential that your child feel comfortable.
The caregiver you choose will play an important role in the growth and development of your child. |
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QUALITY
CHILD CARE IS MANY HANDS
WORKING TOGETHER PARENTS, PROVIDERS,
& CCR&R |
In accordance with Federal laws and U.S. Dept. of Agriculture policy,this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race,color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,1400 Independence Ave. SW Washington D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800)795-3272 (voice) or (202)720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Funding is provided by the Iowa Department of Human Services through the Child Care Development Fund. |
