|
By Vanessa
Rasmussen, © 2004, All rights reserved.
Website: http://www.startingadaycarecenter.com
 |
Seeking
quality childcare for your children requires
time, effort, and considerable research
on part of every parent. The process of
choosing a quality childcare program consists
of several stages, which have been described
in all the articles listed on this website.
To make life easier, given below is a checklist
that entails each and every aspect of finding
the right program. |
The Checklist:
Phase I -
Research
1. Have you bought
brochures from at least 5 day care centers?
[ _ ]
2. Have you researched on the Internet, Local
publications, and school notice boards? [ _
]
3. Have you contacted your local childcare organization
or association, if any? [ _ ]
Phase II -
Visiting a center
1.
Have you taken appointments to meet the director
and other personnel of the childcare center,
and visit the center? [ _ ]
2. Did you spend at least 25 to 30 minutes inspecting
the center for safety? Standards, amenities
and other facilities provided? [ _ ]
3. Have you prepared a comprehensive questionnaire
to interview the director, and other personnel?
[ _ ]
4. Have you checked the credentials of the people
working at the center [ _ ]
5. Have you checked the facility for hygiene
and cleanliness? [ _ ]
6. Have you made a note of all activities and
programs that the facility incorporates for
development of your child ? [ _ ]
7. Does the facility meet all legal requirements
such as licensing? [ _ ]
8. Have you checked as many references as possible
before short listing? [ _ ]
9. Have you interacted with care givers to ensure
that they are friendly and dedicated to their
work? [ _ ]
Phase III
- Financing
1. Have you worked
out all costs involved and ensured that there
are no hidden fees? [ _ ]
2. Have you approached local childcare associations
to avail any subsidies or benefits that you
may qualify for? [ _ ]
Phase IV -
Monitoring
1. Do you regularly
monitor the childcare facility (at least once
every 2 weeks.? [ _ ]
2. Do you interact with caregivers often to
find out the progress of your child? [ _ ]
Copyright
2001, 2004. All rights reserved. Any reproduction
of this article in whole or in part without
written or verbal permission is strictly prohibited.
For information about reprinting this article,
contact the copyright owner: Vanessa Rasmussen,
Ph.D, Starting a Day Care Center, http://www.startingadaycarecenter.com.
|
