Choosing child care may be the most important decision you will make as a parent. We know that children are influenced primarily by their homes and parents, but the preschool child of parents who work full-time may spend a major portion of her waking hours in child care. The quality of those hours will shape a child's physical, social and intellectual development for years to come.

When possible, begin your search when you know you will be having or adopting a child. At a minimum, plan on beginning the process at least two months before your child will need care. In some communities, child care providers have waiting lists.

You can identify child care options by contacting the licensing representative through the local Department of Human Services office. Some counties are also served by a child care resource and referral agency that will help match your needs with local providers. You may wish to check your local newspaper, telephone book or talk to friends and relatives to locate licensed care.

Steps in Choosing Child Care

1. List the things you feel are important for your child and you, such as type of care, atmosphere, hours and location.
2. Learn about the different kinds of child care and how to identify quality care.
3. Collect names of potential child care providers.
4. Screen several chid care providers over the phone to determine openings, hours, number and ages of children, cost, services, etc.
5. Visit more than one program. Although an initial appointment is recommended, sotp by unannounced to observe at different times of the day
6. Look for the state license.
7. Look at all spaces used by children, observe the caregivers and children and be sure to ask all of your questions during the visits.
8. Check references on your final choice(s).
9. Make an appointment to review the licensing file at the Department of Human Services office.
10. Take your child to visit the final choice(s).
11. Trust your intuition and your observations.
12. Read the provider's parent handbook or written policies and procedures carefully.
13. Have an alternative caregiver in case your child is ill or your provider goes on vacation or is closed.

Child Care Options

Child Care Centers care for eight or more children and provide care during set hours and days of the week.

Centers Providing Drop-in Services provide care for children on a drop-in basis and meet the needs of parents seeking occasional or part-time care.

Part-day Programs care for eight or more children, generally offering preschool or mother's day out programs, for more than 15 and up to 30 hours a week.

Family Day Care Homes offer care for up to seven children in the provider's own home.

In-home Care means hiring someone to come into your home and care for your child.

Relative Care may be in the child's or the relative's home.

Child Care Licensing

The 1963 Oklahoma Child Care Facilities Licensing Act requires that all child care facilities be licensed by the Department of Human Services. Programs that operate less than 15 hours per week and care provided by a relative or in the child's own home are exempt from the law.

Choosing a licensed home or center will help to ensure that your child is safe, that the caregivers are trained and that the facility meets certain requirements. A license does not guarantee that the quality of a child care facility will meet every parent's or child's needs, but it does mean that a trained professional is working to help the staff meet minimum state requirements for a safe and suitable environment for your child.

Licensing Representatives:

• make periodic unannounced visits during the year to consult with caregivers and check to make sure they are meeting requirements for the state license
• provide parents with the names of child care providers in their area
• maintain case records on licensed providers that can be reviewed upon request by parents (names of all children and families are removed from these records to protect their privacy
• investigate complaints that licensing requirements are not being met
• offer or sponsor training for child care providers

You can help your caregiver by not requesting anything that will put her out of compliance with licensing requirements, such as taking more children than she is licensed for, asking her to use physical punishment or not keeping immunization records up-to-date.

Child Care Checklist

• Is the program licensed?
• Is written information on program philosophy, hours, fees, vacations, etc. provided?
• Are you welcome to visit the program at any time, to observe, eat lunch with your child, or help with a special event?
• Are there enough staff to meet children's needs? (refer to a copy of licensing requirements to check minimum staff-child ratios)
• Is the size of the group comfortable for staff and children?
• Are classes combined at the beginning and end of the day when fewer children and staff are present?
• Is the caregiver energetic, in good health and able to keep up with children?
• Does the caregiver seem calm, patient and gentle with children?
• Does the caregiver appear to be warm and friendly with a good sense of humor?
• Does the caregiver greet children upon arrival and act happy to see them?
• Does the caregiver understand what children can and want to do at different stages of growth?
• Does the caregiver respond promptly when children need attention?
• Does the caregiver appear child-oriented and speak to children at their eye level?
• Does the caregiver help the chilren feel good about themselves, their activites and other people?
• Does the caregiver encourage children to express themselves in creative ways?
• Does the caregiver call each child by name, treating each one as an individual?
• Does the caregiver seem to be someone your child will enjoy being with?
• Does the caregiver eagerly talk to parents about their child's daily experiences?
• Does the caregiver seem to be someone you can develop a relaxed, sharing relationship with?
• Does the caregiver have training in child development, first aid, and CPR?
• Does the caregiver have experience in working with young children?
• If religious values are taught, are they acceptable to you?
• Is there a balanced program of daily activities (free play, story time, naps, outside play, etc.)?
• Is there a variety of activities geared to the age levels and needs of children?
• Does the schedule show active and quiet times throughout the day?
• Is the play area cheerful, colorful and welcoming to children?
• Are there places to work alone, with a friend, or in small groups?
• Is there a plentiful supply, within a child's reach, of sturdy, colorful, creative materials (games, books, puzzles, blocks, etc.)?
• Are girls and boys encouraged to participate in the same activities?
• Are children given lots of opportunities to make choices?
• Are there opportunities for music and movement activities?
• Is children's artwork displayed where it is visible to children?
• Is there play equipment available to stimulate your child's imagination (dress-up clothes, housekeeping toys, etc.)?
• Do children experience success frequently?
• Is television time limited, and then only to creative children's programs?
• Do they offer special birthday or holiday activities?
• Are children allowed to finish what they are doing before they are expected to go on to something else?
• Are trips taken to nearby points of interest?
• Are activities for school-age children relaxed, recreational and appropriate for their interests, skills and needs?
• Do children look happy, active, and occupied?
• Are the rooms clean and free of hazards (check bathrooms, kitchen and all play areas)?
• Are the rooms kept a comfortable temperature, well-ventilated and properly lighted?
• Are any hazards within children's reach, such as medicines, cleaning products, matches or buckets of water?
• Are there any sharp edges, uncovered electrical outlets or open stairs?
• Are there smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and protected heaters?
• Are fire drills held and emergency telephone numbers posted?
• Is furniture and indoor and outdoor play equipment clean, safe and in good repair?
• Do children have individual sleeping spaces with clean bedding?
• Is large outdoor playground equipment anchored and surrounded by a cushioned surface?
• Is the outdoor play area well-maintained and fenced or otherwise protected from traffic and other hazards?
• Are children exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke?
• Are there pets around children?
• Are children encouraged to wash their hands after using the bathroom and before meals?
• Are soap and paper towels within reach of chilren at handwashing sinks?
• Do caregivers wash their hands after diapering or assisting a child with toileting and wiping noses?
• If children are transported, are seat belts and child safety seats used?
• Are children served nutritious meals and snacks?
• Is a current menu available?
• Do caregivers sit at tables with children during meals?
• Is mealtime relaxed, unhurried and pleasant?
• Are children allowed to serve themselves and get second helpings?
• Do staff anticipate and eliminate potential behavior problems?
• Are children encouraged to cooperate with others, consider other children's feelings, and solve problems by talking things out?
• Do staff recognize and encourage good behavior more often than correcting misbehavior?
• Are reasonable, consistent limits set for the protection of children?
• Are the limits simple, understandable, and clearly explained to children?
• Are staff gentle but firm in helping children understand the rules?
• Do caregivers redirect children by giving alternatives when behavior is unacceptable?
• If children are removed from the group as a means of regaining self-control, are the periods of time age-appropriate? (One minute of time out for each year of a child's age is recommended.)
• Does the program prohibit all forms of physical punishment, verbal abuse such as yelling, criticizing or comparing children, and withholding or forcing of food?
• Does the caregiver share your beliefs on discipline?

• Do caregivers spend time and seem to enjoy cuddling, playing with, and talking to children?
• Is feeding and diapering done in a loving, patient manner?
• Are infants held while being bottle-fed?
• Are caregivers supportive of a mother who is breast-feeding?
• Is there a policy on parents providing food and formula for infants?
• Are records on feeding, sleeping and diapering available to parents on a daily basis?
• Are diapers changed when wet?
• Are sanitary diaper-changing methods followed and the caregiver's hands washed after each diapering?
• Are there potty chairs or child-size toilets available?
• Do caregivers share your views on toilet training?
• Is there enough space for children tgo explore and develop motor skills?
• Is there a carpeted or soft area for infants to lie, roll and crawl?
• Are infants and toddlers taken outside?

Does this program have other chilren with special needs?
• How accepting are the staff, the other children and their parents?
• How do caregivers encourage chlidren's acceptance of each other?
• Are activities adapted to allow everyone to participate?
• Are caregivers able to provide extra assistance as needed during activities?
• How will the environment be adapted to meet your child's needs?
• What specialized training do caregivers have?

Depending on whether you are interviewing a family day care home provider or a center director, the following questions may help to clarify your decision:

• Tell me about yourself.
• How long have caregivers worked in the program?
• Will you be providing care for at least another year?
• What would you do in a medical emergency, such as if a child was choking?
• Will anyone I haven't met be caring for the children?
• Are the children around any other adults?
• Tell me what a typical day would be like for my child.
• How would you handle a preschooler who refuses to eat lunch?
• What are some things you hope my child will learn here? (Look for answers such as independence, to play with others, to enjoy books, and a sense of curiosity rather than academic goals.)
• What would you do if a preschooler deliberately hit another child?
• What is your policy regarding sick children?
• Is the program closed at certain times of the year?
• What is the policy regarding payment for a child who is sick or misses certain days?
• Can I have some names and telephone numbers of other families whose children you have cared for? (past and present)

Things you should never see

• a caregiver physically discipline a child (hitting, shaking, spanking)unattended crying babies or children left unsupervised
• a child left out of sight and hearing of other children as a form of punishment
• babies left in one place, i.e., cribs, playpens, swings or infant seats, for a long time
• babies with bottles propped
• children being forced into potty training
• caregivers making fun of children for any reason
• children fighting without adults stepping in
• food used as a bribe or punishment
• a child scolded harshly or embarrassed in front of other children
• a child left in a wet or dirty diaper too long
• parents being told to drop their child off at the office or to call before visiting

Tips for Parents

1. To ensure a safe arrival, children should be brought inside the center by an adult and taken to their classroom. Unless this is done, the teacher may not be aware of your child's arrival.
2. Help childproof the parking area. Always turn off your car and remove the keys.
3. Don't send your child with toys, food or money without the caregiver's permission.
4. Dress your child in comfortable clothes suitable for active play and creative art activities. Leave a change of clothes in case of accidents.
5. Let the caregiver know if any information on the child record cards has changed, such as a change in work telephone number, who can pick up the child, or an immunization update.
6. Always sign a permission slip with specific instructions before leaving medication for your child.
7. Label all baby food jars, bottles, and medication with your child's name to reduce confusion.
8. Label your child's coat, hat, swimsuit, etc., with his or her name.
9. Be supportive of the caregiver's efforts to teach your child new skills. Practice new skills such as toilet-training at home.
10. Always pick you child up on time. If an emergency arises and you will be late, call and let them know.
11. Children frequently misbehave as soon as their parents arrive - discuss with the caregiver which of you will set the limits during this transition time.
12. Pay on time - caregivers and centers also have financial obligations to meet.
13. Be careful in discussing any problems or concerns in front of your child.