Choosing good and reliable child care is one of the most important decisions we as parents will make for our children. For some of us, our children will have the luxury of being placed in the care of loving relatives. Probably, however, you are in the majority of parents who will need to seek placement for your children in a professional child care program or family child care home. To help you make the right choice for your children, the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care has identified several research-based guidelines that can assist you in selecting the best option for your family’s child care choice.

In addition to selecting a place that is affordable, you probably will want to choose a center that is close to your work or home. Begin by visiting those that meet these criteria and plan to stay at least an hour so that you can more thoroughly observe the activities and programs in actions. Check out the surroundings, including the play and dining areas, and do not hesitate to ask questions about licensing and training of the child care workers.

Considering these guidelines can help you find a place where you feel comfortable and where your child is more likely to feel safe and happy.

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Supervision: Are children supervised at all times, even when they are sleeping? How do the caregivers discipline children? (Hint: Discipline should be positive, clear, consistent, and fair.)

Handwashing and Diapering: Do all caregivers and children wash their hands often, especially before eating and after using the bathroom or changing diapers? Is the place where diapers are changed clean? Do caregivers remove the soiled diaper without dirtying any surface not already in contact with stool or urine? Do caregivers clean and sanitize the surface after finishing the changing process? (Hands should be scrubbed with soap and warm running water for at least 20 seconds and then rinsed and dried. The water faucet should be turned off with a paper towel.)

Director Qualifications: Does the director of a child care center have a bachelor’s degree in a child-related field? Has the director worked in child care for at least two years? Does the director understand what children need to grow and learn?

Lead Teacher Qualifications: Does the lead teacher in a child care center have a bachelor’s degree in a child-related field? Has the teacher worked in child care for at least one year? Does the teacher give children lessons and toys that are right for their ages?

 Child to Staff Ratio and Group Size: How many children are being cared for in the child care program? How many caregivers are there? (Your child will get more attention if each caregiver has fewer children to care for. The younger the children are, the more caregivers there should be. For example, one family home caregiver should only take care of two infants.)

Immunizations: Is your child up-to-date on all of the required immunizations? Does the child care program have records proving that the other children in care are up-to-date on all their required immunizations?

Toxic Substances: Are toxic substances like cleaning supplies and pest killers kept away from children? Has the building been checked for dangerous substances like radon, lead and asbestos? Is poison control information posted?

 Emergency Plan: Does the child care program have an emergency plan if a child is injured, sick, or lost? Does the child care program have first-aid kits? he child care program have information about who to contact in an emergency?

 Fire/Emergency Drills: Does the child care program have a plan in case of a disaster like a fire, tornado, flood, blizzard, or earthquake? Does the child care program do practice drills once every month?

Child Abuse: Can caregivers be seen by others at all times, so a child is never alone with one caregiver? Have all caregivers undergone background check? Have the caregivers been trained on how to prevent child abuse, how to recognize signs of child abuse, and how to report suspected child abuse?

Medications: Does the child care program keep medication out of reach from children? Are the caregivers trained and the medications labeled to make sure the right child gets the right amount of the right medication at the right time?

Staff Training/First Aid: Have caregivers been trained how to keep children healthy and safe from injury and illness? Do they know how to do first aid and rescue breathing? Have they been trained to understand and meet the needs of children of different ages? Are all child care staff, volunteers, and substitutes trained on and implementing infant back sleeping and safe sleep policies to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, crib death)? (When infants are sleeping, are they on their backs with no pillows, quilts, stuffed toys, or other soft bedding in the crib with them?)

Playgrounds: Is the playground regularly inspected for safety? Is the playground surrounded by a fence? If there is a sandbox, is it clean? Are the soil and playground surfaces checked often for dangerous substances and hazards? Is equipment the right size and type for the age of children who use it?

For an easy-to-use tool to take with you on your visits, print out this handy Choosing Child Care Checklist created by the University of Arkansas.

 Disclosure: I am a Better Beginnings ambassador. I receive compensation to write an article for them once a month.  The best thing is that I get to share with you great information about how children learn and how to encourage them in their learning.   All thoughts and opinions are my own based upon my experiences as a 30-year teacher and as a parent and grandparent.   The mission of  Better Beginnings is quality early education for all.  I firmly believe in that.