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Questions to Ask Your Caregiver's Parent References       Infants and Toddlers Does your child's caregiver... Seem to enjoy cuddling your baby? Care for your baby's physical needs-feeding, diapering, etc? Spend time holding, playing with and talking to your baby? Provide stimulation by pointing things out to  your baby? Provide dependable and consistent care so that your baby can form an attachment and feel important? Cooperate with your efforts to toilet train your toddler? Child-proof the setting so your toddler can crawl or walk, and have the opportunity to explore safely and freely? Realize that toddlers want to do things for themselves and help the child learn to feed and dress him/herself, go to the bathroom, and pick up his/her own toys? Help your child learn language by talking with him/her, naming things, reading to him/her, verbalizing what she or he is doing, and responding to the child's words and sounds? Offer your child opportunities for play with objects and toys that will help develop his/her sense of touch, sight and hearing? Provide opportunities to participate in a variety of activities that are suitable for a toddler's short attention span? Does the provider maintain a sanitary diaper changing area that is disinfected after every diaper change? What experience has the provider had with infants and toddlers? Who supplies the diapers? formula? baby food? Is there a special outside play area for infants and toddlers? What is the provider's plan for dealing with separation and attachment issues that arise in the first years of life?   TOP

Preschool Care Does your child's caregiver... Plan many different activities for the children? Join in the activities with the children? Set consistent limits which help the children gradually learn to make their own choices? Recognize the value of play and encourage children to be creative and use imagination? Help children feel good about themselves by being attentive, patient, positive, warm and uncritical? Allow children to do things for themselves, understanding that they can learn from their mistakes? Read to children and help them learn the language by talking with them and answering their questions? Provide opportunities to play with a variety of toys and equipment that encourage their use of imagination? Allow the children the opportunity to choose their own activities for at least part of the day? Take the children to nearby places of interest, such as the park, the library, the fire station, pet store, etc. Are there lots of creative expression materials out where the children can use them at all times? How much climbing, running, jumping will the children have per day? How much drawing, stringing, puzzle assembly, sorting time is offered the children per day? Does the provider bend down to establish a physical connection to a child? Is there a regular story time? Are children carefully supervised at all times? Is there child sized equipment? Are toys stored within easy reach of the children, or must they always ask an adult for assistance? TOP

School-Age Care Does your child's caregiver... Provide children supervision and security, but also understand their growing need for independence? Set reasonable and consistent limits, but also allow your child to make choices and gradually take responsibility? Understand and respond sensitively to the conflicts and confusion that growing children sometimes feel? Help your child follow through on projects, help with homework, and suggest interesting things to do? Listen to your child's problems and experiences? Respect your child's ideas, values and opinions? Work with you to set clear limits and expectations for your child? Understand the conflicts and confusion older school-age children may feel about sex, identity and pressure to conform? Is there... A quiet place to do homework? A place to safely store personal belongings? The opportunity to practice skills such as sports, musical instruments, drama activities, craft projects, etc? Time when your child can be with their friends after school?   A variety of  materials and equipment including art materials, table games, sports equipment, books, films, records, etc? The opportunity to use community facilities such as a baseball field, swimming pool, recreation center, when possible? Is transportation provided to and from school, or is the provider on a bus route? Are the activities geared for the age of your child? Is the program an extension of a preschool curriculum, or is there a separate program for older children? Are afternoon snacks available? Are there athletic leagues or clubs after school? TOP

Children with Special Needs The Americans with Disabilities Act helps to provide greater access to public places and services for people wit special needs.  Call the Mari9n Child Care Council for more information about ADA.  Childcare providers cannot discriminate against children with special needs. Does the provider have experience caring for children with special needs? Is the facility or home accessible for children who are physically disabled? Does the provider know sign language? Does the [provider have experience in providing a special diet or in feeding techniques? What adaptive does your child use? Can this equipment be transported to child care? TOP