Guide to Choosing Quality Care
A child care provider who is warm and supportive will help your child learn by providing activities that are right for your child at each age and stage of development.
Choosing child care is a difficult task – and one that only you, the parent, can do. But, with care, you can select an arrangement that will add positive experiences to your child’s life. The following steps are designed to help you collect the information you need to make a well-informed decision about care for your child.
Steps to Finding Quality Care
Step 1: Call LOCATE: Child Care
Step 2: Interview
Step 3: Visit
Step 4: Ask
Step 5: Decide
Step 6: Act
Step 7: Help!
Step 1: Call LOCATE: Child Care
You don’t have to do it alone. Take advantage of the child care resources and expertise in your community by contacting LOCATE: Child Care at 1-877-261-0060. LOCATE: Child Care counselors will provide you with child care options near your home, work, school, or bus route. Child care options on this list will meet the requirements (location, hours, cost, special requirements concerning pets, smoking, etc.) you have specified. This is a free service.
Call all the names of the homes or centers you received. Let them know you received their names from LOCATE: Child Care. Below, you will find some questions that you may want to ask.
Telephone Questions:
- What time do you open and close?
- How many child do you care for and what are their ages?
- Are the groups small enough to provide one-on-one attention to each child during the day?
- Do you serve meals or do I need to bring food for my child?
- When I have time, may I stay and watch my child play?
Visit at least 3 programs. Take your child with you. When you go, look at the area, the caregiver(s) and the children. Here is a list of things to check:
Look at the Area
- Does it look clean and safe for every age child there? For example, is there a crib for each infant?
- Is there enough space to play inside and out so all the children can have room to play?
- Do the toys and materials support different types of play, such as imaginative play, building projects, and arts and crafts?
- Is there a time and place for both quiet and active play?
- Ask to see the provider’s license.
Look at the Caregiver
- Did the caregiver use a calm voice and talk to the children on their level?
- Are you comfortable with the way the caregiver disciplines the children?
- Does the caregiver praise accomplishments and help resolve conflicts?
- Does the caregiver seem to enjoy and respect the children?
- If your child is an infant, does the caregiver connect with your baby by gently holding and talking to the baby?
- Will the baby also get attention when she is not crying?
Look at the Children
- Are the children doing activities that suit their age and stage of development?
- Activities that are too hard will be discouraging, but children learn from new activities that are interesting and a little bit challenging.
- Are they given a chance to make choices about activities that interest them?
- Do the children have a daily schedule which allows for indoor and outdoor play, nap time if appropriate, and time for both individual play and group play?
- Are the infants being held and talked to in a reassuring way that will help them learn to trust that their needs will be met?
Ask the caregiver if you may talk with other parents who use that home or center. If you do talk with other parents, here are some questions that might help you.
Questions for Other Parents
- Does your child enjoy going there?
- What do you like most about this child care?
- What are some of the things that you don’t like?
- If you had to find child care again, would your child still go there?
- Go over your notes from all the questions you have asked.
- Decide which family child care home or center seems the best for you and your child.
- If you feel unsure about the program, visit again.
- If you are unhappy with all the choices, call LOCATE: Child Care (1-877-261-0060) again for more names. If care is hard to find, you may need to try a new area.
Act on the suggestions provided below, which are designed to help build a sound long-term relationship between you and the provider:
- Sign a contract before you start care.
- These are the items to include:
- The hours the program opens and closes.
- The days the program will be closed for holiday and vacation.
- The things you will need to bring to the program.
The best way to feel comfortable in a new program is to get involved. Attend parent meetings, help with arts and crafts projects, or bring in special snacks.
If you are pleased with the care your child receives, tell the provider! Good parent/provider communication benefits your child and is the key to a healthy relationship.
- If you have concerns about the way your child is treated, speak to the caregiver.
- If you feel the program is not operating according to regulations, contact your regional Office of Child Care (410-554-8300).
Help is just a phone call away.
If you have any questions, call LOCATE: Child Care at 1-877-261-0060.
Attachment & Bio-Behavioral Catch-Up (ABC)
Caring for a baby is tough. No matter how many books you read or people who give you advice, nothing can prepare you for the responsibility of raising a child. But the help you need is just a knock away! The Family Tree’s free ABC Program is designed for parents of babies ages 6 months to 18 months. Our trained educators help parents bond with their infant, create healthy attachment and ensure baby is growing healthy.
Healthy Families
In collaboration with Prevent Child Abuse America, Health Care Access Maryland and other health care providers, we are proud to offer this research-based home visitation service designed for expecting parents in Baltimore. It offers free support services that include pre-natal and peri-natal medical care, parenting education, skill building resources and connections to community-based programs. Plus, we can serve any Spanish-speaking pregnant mom in the city.
This program, which offers ongoing support up until the child is 3 years old, is recognized by the U.S. Department of HHS as one of seven proven home visiting models.
Parent Assistance in the Home (PATH)
PATH is a free and voluntary home visitation program that supports parents in their efforts to care for their family, whether it’s raising a toddler or a teen. Our trained educators focus on parenting skills, positive discipline, stress and communication, children succeeding in school, links to community services and more. This service is offered in Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Prince George’s County.
Family Connects Maryland
Family Connects Maryland is a short-term home visiting service for select Baltimore City moms who deliver at Sinai Hospital. The program is free and voluntary, and home visits are done by a registered nurse.
