Questions to Ask Child Care Providers that Target Quality Care

When it comes to quality child care and finding a good fit for you and your child, remember that you are the interviewer in this process and so ask for clarity when it comes to operational definitions. Start your investigation a couple of months prior to the planned admission date. Peace of mind is the payoff.
What is an operational definition? Easily stated, it is the way someone defines a word or what it means to them. A good example of this would be the word, snack. Ask the child care provider what they define as a “snack” in terms of portion size and quality. Are the children getting sugary-sweet cereal for snacks or are they getting a piece of fruit or another healthy option? Do you know what state law mandates for this?
As a must, check out the Family and Social Service Administration website at www.in.gov/fssa and click on laws, rules and policies. Then, scroll down to interpretative guidelines. Finally, click on Interpretative Guide for Child Care Center Rules. Think this is not worth the effort? Not so, this guide will give you information on any of the following topics you choose to seek out and then some. Also, updates are posted. Some topics include:
General definitions Licensing requirements Criminal history check: Required actions Inspections Emergency closure of child care centers
Reporting requirements; general Reporting requirements; serious consequences Reporting child abuse or neglect Reporting communicable disease Personnel policies Enrollment policies Admission, discharge, arrival, and departure policies Parent communication Director qualifications Director responsibilities Administrator responsibilities
Caregiver qualifications Lead caregiver qualifications Lead caregiver responsibilities Support staff Substitutes Volunteers
Early childhood practicum students Visitors Basic first aid training
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training In-service staff training
Children’s admission records Signed consent forms Children’s health records Children’s injury records Children’s medication records
Staff, substitutes, and volunteer records Emergency information file
General records Confidentiality of records Attendance records
Record retention Child/staff ratio chart Building Maintenance Child/staff ratios and supervision Child grouping policies
Grouping of children under 30 months of age Implementation of continuity of care Alternative mixed age groupings Rest periods Positive discipline Inappropriate discipline Discipline documentation General program components Basic schedule of activities General program planning
Written program plans Literacy development Coping with separation
Educational equipment and materials Television Pets Playground and outdoor safety Critical height chart Playground design
Playground and outdoor environment Water play areas Field trips
Transportation in child care center owned or leased vehicles
Transportation in other vehicles Transportation to school Food program Menus Meal times Meal components General meal guidelines
Home style food service Picnics Special diets Vendor service
Health program Adult health requirements Child health requirements
Ill child procedures Medication Communicable disease Universal precautions supplies Emergency equipment and procedures Evacuation procedures Child hygiene Diapering Disposable diapers Cloth diapers Toilet training Staff hygiene Building maintenance
Poisons, chemicals, and hazardous items Electrical safety
Combustible materials Emergency drills Furnace room Prohibited heat sources Heat, light, ventilation, and air conditioning Hallways, stairways, and exits Doors Garbage and refuse Indoor space
Indoor furnishings Holiday decorations Bathrooms Water supply and plumbing Drinking water Kitchen and food preparation areas
Manual dish washing Pest prevention Office and staff areas
Infant/toddler requirements Infant/toddler room personnel
Infant/toddler charts and records Infant physical care Toddler physical care Infant/toddler grogram; general Infant program Toddler program Infant/toddler room furnishings; general Infant room furnishings
Toddler room furnishings Infant/toddler equipment; general Infant equipment Toddler equipment Infant feeding Infant food preparation and storage Breast milk Infant milk Bottle sterilizing procedures
Infant solid foods Toddler feeding Infant/toddler sleeping
Infant room size Infant/toddler rooms; general School age staffing
School age grouping School age program and equipment Special needs staffing Special needs program Extended hours of operation Night care approval Night care staffing Night care Night care program and equipment Night care food service Ill child care space requirement
Existing licensed child care centers
The best is for last. Go to www.in.gov/fssa and select locate child care. Next, select the county, zip, or city of interest but be sure to read the terms of use and click on the box that you have done so before moving forward. The, click on the name of a child care facility that is of interest. Finally, click on inspection, complaint, or enforcement information. View them all if you like.
The facts and experiences of other children and their families speak volumes about the quality of the child care facility. Read over the facts carefully and thoughtfully. Ask the provider to elaborate on anything you might find to be of interest. Get testimonials from parents whose child attends this child care facility. Be your child’s advocate. There is no better person than a loving parent or primary caretaker of the child to do this. Be their voice. Stay involved.
Once you have made a decision as to the child care provider that your child will attend, follow the next article for ways you can make value-added contributions to your child's provider while keeping in the know about real-life daily operations.