When choosing a child care provider it is important to do your homework.  The Maryland Committee for Children suggests you follow these steps:

1. Contact LOCATE: Child Care to have a free customized search of a database which contains more than 1,400 licensed providers in Montgomery County.  LOCATE will also answer any questions you have, provide information on licensing regulations and discuss tips on what to look for in quality care.  Call LOCATE: Child Care at 240-777-3130.   If you would like to conduct your own on-line search go to www.mdchildcare.org.

2. Conduct a telephone interview.  After you receive your list of potential providers from LOCATE call them and ask:

• Do you have any vacancies in your program?

• What are your weekly fees?

• How many children are in your program and what are

  their ages?

• Are meals or snacks provided?

• What are your hours and days of operation?

• What are your guidelines or procedures when a child is

  sick?

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3. Schedule a face to face interview.  It is important to interview potential providers to see where your children will be cared for and to ask questions.  When you visit a provider be sure to:

• Tour the indoor and outdoor areas of the home/center to

  make sure it is clean and well maintained.

• Ask to see the license. Check to make sure the provider

  name and property address match the home or center

  you are touring. Check the total number of children that

  the provider is licensed to care for and the age groups.

• Ask about staff turnover rate when touring a center.  A

  high-turnover rate can be very hard on a child as

  he/she adjusts to his new daycare setting.

• Ask open ended questions such as:  What child care

  related training or education do you have?  What is your

  discipline policy? How will you communicate my child’s

  daily routine to me?  What toys and materials do you

  have for my child’s age group? What are your cleaning

  routines for toys, cribs and high chairs/tables?

• Ask if they have an emergency plans if they have to

  evacuate the home/center or shelter in place for up to

  three days.  Do they have a battery powered radio or

  TV?  Do they have enough supplies (food, water and

  clothing) for the children for up to three days?

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4. Observe the program.  It is important for you to go back for a second visit to observe the provider and his/her interactions with the children.  Drop in to visit in the morning when the children are up and active if your child is not school age. For school-age programs you will want to visit between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m.  Observe the:

    Caregiver interactions:  Does the caregiver use a welcoming tone of voice?  How does she handle discipline?  Is she attentive to the children’s needs?  Is she making eye contact with the children and communicating easily with them? Does she respond quickly to the children’s needs in a loving, positive way? Are there clear limits for the children?  Does she encourage children to work out their difficulties and/or steps to help when necessary?

    Environment:  Are the children supervised at all times?  Is there adequate staffing?  Is it bright safe and clean?  Are there enough materials for the children?  Are they clean and in good shape? Are the toys, art materials, cubbies and books all within the child’s reach? Does the room have adequate space for children to spread out and play on the floor?   Does the caregiver use good hygiene? Is she washing her hands when changing diapers, preparing food, when eating and after playing outside?

     Program Schedule:  Is there a daily schedule which includes opportunities for both indoor and outdoor play, active and quiet play as well as adult and child chosen play/learning opportunities. Ask yourself if you can picture your child playing happily there?  Are the activities age-appropriate?  Activities should be challenging enough to allow children the thrill of mastering something they find difficult at first but not so challenging that children are continually frustrated.

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5. Check references:  If you get a good feeling from your drop-in visit then ask for names and phone numbers of families who have used the care in the past.  Call and ask them:  Were you happy with the care? Were there any problems communicating with the provider?  What did you like the most or least about the program?  If you would like to check to see if the provider has ever had any complaints lodged against her you can call the Office of Child Care at 240-314-1400.

6. Review the Contract before you sign it.  The Maryland Committee for Children recommends that you have a signed contract before you start care.  Review it carefully and make sure that it includes:

• The cost of care and when it is due

• Hours of operation and any late fees

• Sick policy for both the provider and the child

• Days the program will be closed (holidays, snow days,

  vacations)

  and closure payment policies

• Food and supplies that the provider will furnish (if any)

• A termination policy that clearly states how much notice

  you will need to give if you decide you no longer want

  care for your child.

7. Choose Quality Care. After you have interviewed and visited the providers, checked references and reviewed your notes it is time to trust your instincts and make your decision. Ask yourself if it is affordable, safe, quality care?  Can you communicate well with the provider? Will my child grow and be happy here?

8. Stay Involved.  After you select a provider it is important to stay involved with the caregiver.  Each day talk with the provider about your child’s day.  Offer to volunteer for a special event.  Drop in unannounced from time to time to visit.

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