There are various questions to ask yourself (as the parent) and the child care provider before you make the final decision of leaving your child in a certain daycare. Answers from such questions should clearly indicate that if you eventually choose the child care home or child care center you are considering, your child will be safe, secure, and happy while you are at work or school.

The answers you receive from the questions you ask yourself will most likely be derived from your own observation of the child care setting during your visit. For example, unanounced visits will tell you whether the child care provider is consistently attentive to the needs of the children in his or her care. Are children well supervised while indoors or outdoors? Are children encouraged to wash their hands after using the washroom to prevent the spread of germs? Are child care providers interactive with the children?

Answers received from providers will help you compare the providers' child care offering to your criteria. What kinds of meals are served? Are there set times for napping? Do providers take on-going training courses that help them enhance the quality of child care? Is at least one or more of the providers First Aid or CPR trained? Are diaper changing areas cleaned regularly? Are there guidelines for handling sick children? What is the adult-child ratio?

All of these questions and more will help you know what is best for your child. In the end, follow your gut, it's usually right!

Check out the following links on helpful checklist for selecting a daycare or child care for your little precious one.

Daycare United States - Local Daycare Search Made Easy


Is This The Right Place For My Child?


Child Care Checklist For Parents