Choosing a child-care provider
Author: By LORI RYPKA

Choosing a child-care provider can be one of the most daunting and nerve-racking feats for parents. They are looking for a special person or team in whom they can place their trust to care for their most valuable treasure.
There are many factors when choosing child care, whether it is in-home care, a family day-care setting or a center. Among them are hours of operation, contract specifications and price.
First and foremost on conscientious parents’ list, however, is choosing a safe and healthy environment for their child.
Child Care Choices in Frederick not only offers referrals to group programs and some rate information, it also provides an extensive list of what to look for when assessing a child-care setting so parents are comfortable leaving their child there.
According to Child Care Choices, here are a few questions to consider:
* Are children supervised at all times, even while asleep?
* How are children disciplined? (Note that discipline should be positive, consistent and fair.)
* Do all caregivers and children wash their hands often, especially before eating, and after using the restroom or changing diapers?
* Do caregivers clean and sanitize the surface after finishing the changing process?
* How many children are being cared for in the child-care program? How many caregivers are there?
* Is your child up to date on all of the required immunizations? Does the provider have up-to-date records on all children’s immunizations?
* Are toxic substances like cleaning supplies and pest killers kept away from children?
* Is poison-control information posted?
* Does the program have an emergency plan if a child is injured, sick or lost?
* Does the program have a plan in case of a disaster like a fire, tornado, flood, blizzard or earthquake?
* Have all caregivers gone through a background check?
* Have the caregivers been trained how to prevent child abuse, how to recognize signs of child abuse and how to report suspected child abuse?
* Is medication kept out of reach of children?
* Are the providers trained in first aid and CPR?
* Is the playground equipment safe and in good condition?

Shannon Aleshire, program director for Child Care Choices, urges parents to look for regulated care.
In Maryland, for example, licensed child-care providers have completed the necessary training and requirements so parents know the program meets basic health and safety standards.
Parents seeking care in Virginia have an even higher-tech way of identifying child care that meets state regulations for safety and hygiene - a database at www.dss.state.va.us. The Department of Social Services database allows parents to query family or institution day-care centers to view results of inspections, violations and complaints.
“If you have access to the Web, it is a tremendous resource,” says Lyda Kiser, executive director of The Heritage Child Development Center in Berryville, Va., and Children First Development Center in Kearneysville, W.Va. If a facility a parent is considering is not listed, then it was not part of the licensing process, she says. There also is information online about West Virginia’s regulations, she said.
Quality programs will provide information to parents on who is certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Kiser says.

Seeking red flags
Aleshire suggests making two visits to observe a child-care provider’s interaction with children.
Parents “should go with their gut” when choosing care, she says. “Give yourself credit,” she says, adding that what makes one parent comfortable might make another uncomfortable.
Kiser also recommends looking at the security of the building: Can nonaffiliated persons come in? Can children easily leave without permission?
Other observations to make:
* Do children have adequate activities in which to participate?
* Are there challenging toys and adequate outside space for play?
* Is the staff engaging?
* Is there a place where kids can be alone when they are having a tough time?
* What types of meals are prepared?
* Is this a nonprofit or for-profit organization?

Kiser says that noting a child crying in a child-care center should not necessarily be a cause for alarm.
“There are always kids in child care crying,” she says.
Parents ought to be concerned if they identify safety concerns, such as unsafe equipment, or abusive behavior, Aleshire says. It’s important to assess the quality of the caregiver, the program and the environment, and pay close attention to any red flags that arise.

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