To ensure you have a good comparison, visit a minimum of three child care programs, spending at least one hour at each site. Use the checklist below as a guide in comparing programs. If you can answer yes to most or all of the questions on the checklist, then your child will have a greater chance of having a successful child care experience.
Family Child Care Home Checklist
Child Care Center Checklist
Also be sure to speak with other parents whose children are enrolled in the child care program. Some questions you might want to ask parents:
- Does your child like going to this program?
- What do you like most about this program?
- What do you like least about this program?
- Does the provider keep you well informed about your child’s development? How?
- Is the provider dependable and reliable?
- Does the provider make you and your child feel comfortable in the program? How?
- If you had to find child care again, would your child still be enrolled in this program?
Then visit the programs again (without an appointment) and observe at a different time of day. If there is no room available in your top choice, get on the waiting list as soon as possible.
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