L’Observateur / October 21, 2000

Finding good day care for your children is something that should not be taken lightly, says LSU AgCenter associate Raye Neely.

“All children deserve the best possible care available, but, unfortunately, not all parents know how to select appropriate daycare services,” Neely says.

To help in the task of selecting the best day care for your children, the LSU AgCenter associate offers these suggestions:

First, find out the hours of operation. These can vary from center to center. Specifically ask,”What times are you open and what holidays do you observe?” This can be asked by phone before you decide whether to visit the center.

Other questions that can be asked by phone include: “What ages of children do you accept; do you provide formula, meals or diapers; does my child have to be potty trained; and what times can I visit my child during the day?”

After you have made telephone contact, the next step is to visit the site. It is recommended thatyou visit at least three different programs. You can take your child with you during the visits, andyou need to be sure to observe the caregivers and children.

While visiting sites, be sure to evaluate whether each place looks and smells clean, whether it looks safe, whether the staff appears friendly, whether there is enough space for children to play inside and outside, if children can reach the toys easily.

Also observe the caregivers at the sites and determine whether you think they look happy, have pleasant tones of voice and seem to enjoy the children. Check on how the children respond to thecaregiver, and, most important, think about whether you would feel comfortable leaving your child in this center.

Another important consideration is the number of children each caregiver has in her/his care. Besure to ask, “What is your teacher/child ratio?” Typically, the more teachers to supervise children, the better the situation. Keep in mind that the teacher/child ratio should be higher for infants under12 months old than for older children. Different centers may have different teacher/child ratiosdepending on the license of the center, so ask the center what license the center has and what that license means. And don’t forget you may have to pay more tuition to get lower teacher/child ratios.

A visit to the site also involves taking a good look at the children. Do they seem happy? Do theyplay well? Are they given chances to make decisions such as deciding what toys to play with or choosing activities to participate in? Can you picture your child there?

Remember to jot down notes. This is especially important if your child has special needs. Thesenotes will help you remember questions to ask while you are making your visits, and they will serve as reminders of your impressions of the centers once you have completed the visits.

Remember that daily interaction with caregivers is extremely important,” Neely says.

“Communicating with the staff will make you aware of your child’s daily activities.” The LSU AgCenter associate says such communication will assist in forming partnerships with your child’s caregivers, and that very important partnership can assist in setting common goals for your child.

“If you are pleased with the care your child is receiving, tell the provider,” Neely says. “Everyoneenjoys hearing they are doing a good job.

“On the other hand, if you are displeased with the care your child is receiving, it is equally important to discuss your concerns with the caregiver or the director of the center as soon as a problem arises.” For more information on family life, contact a home economist in your parish LSU AgCenter Extension office.

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