See Module 4, Handout 7: Assessing Quality Care giving

Module 4, Handout 7: Assessing Quality Care giving

Qualifications for a Good Caregiver:

Loving and Responsive

- Hugs, rocks, cuddles, seeks eye contact and enjoys the child

- Responds to the baby's smiles and emerging skills and interests

- Finds ways to expand upon children's play to help them learn new skills

- Sociable and interested in children

- Talks with the baby about what they do and see

- Introduces new ideas, objects and games

- Supports children in building relationships with other children and adults

Respects the baby's individuality

- Understands and nurtures babies' development

- Recognizes the baby's personal rhythms, style, strengths and limitations

- Tunes into these when planning the pace and time for eating, sleeping and playing...one who is comfortable accommodating to children's special needs or conditions

Provides a stimulating and child-friendly environment

- Area is clean and safe so babies can explore their surroundings

- Filled with interesting and stimulating things to explore

- Set up to promote learning through free play

- Changed regularly to accommodate the needs of growing infants and toddlers

- Organized to have distinct eating and diapering areas and set up to be comfortable and practical for adults, allowing them to focus on the children

What to Look for in a Child Care Program:

A quality child care professional should understand and nurture children's learning through the everyday moments they share by providing the three major qualifications stated above. Good child care professionals respond to children, even when they are too young to understand the meaning of our words, and let young children know that their feelings and experiences are important and respected.

If at all possible, before making a program choice, observe caregivers interacting with children during the day. A lot can be learn about a program simply by watching. Specific criteria to look for and ask about when visiting a child care program:

- What training do staff members have in infant-toddler development?

- Do caregivers speak to the children, even babies? Do they sing and read to the children?

- Do they answer children’s questions patiently? Do they ask children questions? Is each baby allowed to eat and sleep according to their own rhythms, and not based on a schedule imposed by the caregiver?

- For toddlers, is a daily schedule posted, using pictures and visuals, so that children can anticipate what will happen next?

- Are toys and materials well organized so that children can choose what interests them?

- Are caregivers able to accommodate the special needs of children?

- Does the environment accommodate the special needs of children?

- Do caregivers respect the language, culture and values of families in the program?

- How does the caregiver feel about discipline? Weaning? Toilet training? Feeding? Do the caregiver's beliefs match your own?

- Does the caregiver handle conflicts without losing patience, shaming a child, or frequently displaying anger?

- Does the caregiver seem to enjoy children?

- Are you welcome to drop in at any time?

- Would your child feel good about coming here? Would you feel good about leaving your child here?

- Is the environment sanitary and safe?

- Is the setting appealing with comfortable lighting and an acceptable noise level?

Licensing Issues

Each state has different licensing requirements for programs and providers. Listed below are some initial questions to ask when selecting a child care program. For more information on licensure, you can visit the National Association for Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies.

- Is the child care program licensed by the state or local government?

- Is the child care program accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children or the National Association of Family Child Care?

- Are the caregivers certified by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition with a Child Development Associates degree credential for infant-toddler caregivers? Do caregivers possess an equivalent credential that addresses comparable competencies (such as an Associate's or Bachelor's degree)?

- Is there a primary caregiver for my child?

- Are the ratios and group size appropriate for my child’s age?

All children—especially infants and toddlers—need a child care setting where they can thrive with caregivers who understand how to promote their healthy growth and development. Young children need a schedule that is responsive to their needs, with appropriate stimulation and time to rest. They need to be talked to and played with. They need love and attention. They also need the opportunity to form the kind of comfortable, secure relationship with a caregiver that will nurture their healthy emotional development.

Reference

Zero to Three. (2011). Choosing Quality Child Care. http://www.zerotothree.org/early-care-education/child-care/choosing-quality-child-care.html