Choosing Infant/Toddler Care
Information Sheet

"Choosing child care: a matter of choice not chance"



You love your childrenand want the best for them. The care they receive in your absence is essential to their health and security
and to your peace of mind. Choosing child care is a big decision for parents because of its importance to the health, well-being and development of thier child. This information is designed to assist parents in locating and choosing quality care to meet
the needs of thier child and family. Should you require additional information on a specific area please call your local:

Child Care Information and Support Program
869-2111
Memory Lane Family Place 22 Memory Lane, Sackville N.S. B4C 2J3



Indicators of quality care for infant and toddlers

All children need warm, nurturing caregivers who understand and respond to their needs.
They need environments that keep them safe and healthy.
Routines that are ageappropriate, respond to individual needs, and stimulate growth and development.
When these variables come together, they form the base of quality care.

Knowledgeable caregiver:
A quality caregiver is one who is aware of the developmentalneeds of infants and toodlers,
who takes the time to know each child on an individual bases and respond to their needs quickly and consistently.
By receiving prompt, personal care and attention from a primary caregiver, infants and toodlers build trusting bonds.
These attachments make a child feel secure and lay the groundwork for healthy growth and development.
When these bonds are broken, young children can become very distressed.
Continuity of a caregiver is an important factor for quality care at any age but it is vital for this age group.

Child adult ratios:
In order for caregivers to provide children with individual care and attention, adequate ratio of adults to children is essential.
Child care ratios in Nova Scotia are outlined in the Day Care Act and Regulations:

Private home care
6 children mixed ages infant to 12 years - 8 school age including the caregiver's children.
Child care professionals suggest that no more than 2 of these children should be less than 2 years of age.

Centre based care:
Infants 1 to 4      group size 10
Toddlers 1 - 6     group size 18


Environment:
Children need surroundings that are clean, bright and have a comfortable temperature.
It is vital that this space is child proofed, with secure boundaries (i.e. baby gates)
so children can safely explore their surroundings.
Quality environments provide interesting, age-appropriate toys to explore and learn from.
Equipment and toys shoudl be clean, in good repair and meet safety standards.
Eating, sleeping and diapering areas require special attention.
To protect children's health and safety, they need to be clean, well ventilated, and organized
so adults can focus their attention on the child. hand washing and other health practices should be part of each care routine.

Daily routines:
Infants and toodlers need a stable, predictable routine that takes into account their individual schedules and temperaments.
Look for daily routines that combine care-taking tasks such as feeding, diapering and napping,
along with added stimulation through being cuddled, sang and talked to, played with, and taken for walks.

Communication:
Quality care welcomes parental involvement and visits at any time during the day.
There is a system in place at the beginning and the end of each day for parent and caregiver to exchange
information about how the child's day or night went.
Open lines of communication are critical for both the welfare of the child and the health of the parent caregiver relationship.

Choosing child care is a personal decision based on your values, and the needs of your child and family.
It is a good idea for parents to consider carefully what qualities they are looking for in a caregiver and an environment.
As in all things, some compromises may be required when choosing care.
These compromises however should be in areas that do place the child at risk. Parents need to listen to their intuitions, if you choose carefully, and base your decision on what is important to you for your child; you are bound to make the best choice.



Your Child Care Search

Finding and choosing child care is a task that takes time, energy and careful consideration.
Parents may have an idea of the type of care they want however, it is a good idea to keep an open mind and explore all posible options.
Arrange to visit and observe as many types of care as time will allow, before making a final decision.
Finding child care can be a long process, by beginning your search early you increase your options and odds of finding the care
you want and need. Following are some steps to follow, to assist you in your search.


STEP 1:
Determine your needs and those of your child
Consider how each of the following might factor into your search and options:

Hours and days:
  • How soon do you need care to begin?
  • Do you need full-day, part-day care?
  • Do your hours change, requiring flexibility in your childcare schedule?
  • What are your feelings about continuity of care -- how long could this arrangement lasy ideally?
Cost of Care
  • What can you afford to pay?
  • Is there any assistance you may be eligible for such as a provincial child care subsidy?


Location
  • Would you perfer child care close to home or to work?
  • Do you need child care near public transportation?
  • Who will be picking up and dropping off your child?


Consider yours and your child's needs:
  • What is your child's temperment? Activity level? Daily schedule?
  • How is your child's health? Do they have any health conditions or allergies?
  • What stage of development is your child at, and how are they reacting to seperation and stranger anxiety?
  • Do you have any specific concerns? What information do you feel is important for a caregiver to know about your child?


STEP 2: Locating Services

  • Talking to family, friends, co-workers, inquire if they know a care giver or day care centre with openings.
  • Check childcare ads in the classifieds section of local newspapers and job search wed sites, Bargain Hunter publication.
    Check community bulletin boards in corner stores, farmers markets, libraries, playgroups, community centres, and mailboxes.
    Call and inquire if your neighbourhood school has a listing of people who provide care.
  • Identify and call opyions that have a suitable location. A listing of licensed child care centres is available by contactig your local
    Child Care Information and Support Program.


STEP 3: Screen your options

Once you've identified a potential caregiver or program, call to see if it will meet your needs.
Before placing this call refer to your list of needs and make a list of questions to ask.
Use the same list when contacting each centre or caregiver.

Possible questions to ask?
  • What are you hours/days of operation?
  • Where are you located?
  • Do you (or will you) have any openings for a (your childs age) child in (month you need care)?
  • How many children do you care for? What are their ages?
  • What are your fees? What is included in these fees? Do you give receipts?
  • What activities and routines make up a typical day?
  • Do you have experience/training caring for infants/toddlers? Do you have First Aid CPR?
  • Do you have references?


If the answer to these questions meets your needs and expectations arrange a time to visit the home or centre.
Try to arrange a time when other children will be present.

STEP 4: Visit the day care center or home

Following are some points to consideration when visiting a child care center or home:

  • Does the home or center have a welcoming, comfortable feel? Does it appear to be well maintained and clean?
    Does the place look safe for your child? Do the care givers appear to enjoy talking to and playing with children?
  • Do they talk with each child on the child's level and respond to their babbles?
    Do they respond quickly and appropriately to a child's distress?
  • Are there toys within the child's reach? Are toys and equipment clean, comfortable, plentiful, and age appropriate.
  • When you listen do you hear happy voices of adults and childreninvolved in play?
    Do caregiver voices sound patient and happy? Do you sense a genuine fondness for the children?
  • Count the number of children in the group. Then count the number of staff caring for them. Do they meet with regulations?
    A small number of children per adult are most important for babies and younger children.
    Do you get the impression that the caregiver can handle the number of children in her care?
  • Where do the children eat, sleep and play? Are these areas safe, with secure boundaries?
  • Licensed child care centers are required to meet standards of care for health and safety, staff training,
    ratios, equipment, nutrition, programming and equipment. These are minimal standards, and do not assure quality care.
    Check that the child care centre has a current license displayed and a copy of the daycare act.


STEP 5: Interview the caregiver

Clear , open lines of communication are very important in arranging and maintaining your child care arrangement.
Following are some questions to consider when interviewing a potential caregiver.

  • How is the caregiver's day set up to meet the needs of infants/toddlers? What routines and activities make up a typical day?
    Do these routines fit your child's schedule? How flexable are routines?
  • What experience/training does the caregiver have in caring for infants and toddlers?
  • Does she have first aid/infant CPR? how would she handle an emergency?
    Are there smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and an evacuation plan?
  • Ask about teh length of time caregivers have been caring for children and how long she plans to continue?
    Continuity of care is an important factor. Ask day care directors if staff are rotated, and how often?
  • Listen carefully when the caregiver speaks to get a sense of her philosophy in caring for children.
    Is it similar to yours? Ask her what she feels is important to provide good care for infants and toddlers.
  • What are the caregiver's views on feeding, weaning, toilet training? Do you agree with these views?
  • What are the caregiver's views on guiding children's behavior discipline? Do you agree?
  • What is the policy if child becomes sick?
  • What does she enjoy about caring for this age group?
  • Are the children taken on outtings during the day? Who provides the care seat?
    Does the caregiver have adequate Auto and Liability Insurance?
  • What do parents provide? (Food, milk, diapers, bedding)
  • If the caregiver provides food, what type and is it nutritious?
    Is there a menu you can see? Day care centres have a menu posted on centre's bulletin board.
    Some private home caregivers may also have a menu. In either settiing there should be a process for letting
    you know what, and how much your child ate that day.
  • Discuss cost of the care? Any additional charges? What is included in this fee? When is it due?
    Do parents pay for sick and absent days? Does caregiver give receipts?
  • Are parents welcome to come by at any time without calling?
  • Does caregiver have references?


STEP 6: Evaluate

Before committing to any child care arrangement, take time to consider the information you have collected,
check references, ask yourself if the home or center has?
  • A safe, nurturing environment with long term possibilties?
  • A reasonable travel distance?
  • Affordable fees?
  • Similar values in caring for your child?

If you determine that this arrangement will meet the needs of your child and family, arrange a time to visit with
your child to gage their reaction. Ask to have written agreement outlining hours, fees etc.
The information presented is designed to meet the needs of parents choosing child care in private homes or cetre based care.
Some questions and information may pertain more to one type of care than the other.
Information on hiring and interviewing a caregiver to come to your home is also available.

Best of luck in your search.


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