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   Choosing Child Care 

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This site is designed to help parents figure out the type of childcare that is best for them and their child(ren).  There are many choices and we hope to give you some information that may help you with your choice.

What kinds of care are available?

Why do parents choose the various kinds of care?
 

Child Care Centers care for children in groups. All centers in Massachusetts must be licensed before they operate.  Licensing does not insure quality but it does set minimum health, safety and caregiver training standards that centers
must maintain.

Most centers are divided into classrooms that are organized by the age of the children. There are standards and rules that determine the number of adults to children in each of the rooms.

Centers are also broken down into categories of care, based on the ages of the children they serve:

• infant/toddler : babies two months old to almost three;
• preschool : three to five years; and
• school aged : kindergarten to 12 years.

 

Parents choose a center because they believe that larger groups, numbers of staff, and licensing make programs safer for their children and make their childcare arrangements more dependable. Many parents believe that more staff, space,  equipment, toys, and the organized activities provide a better learning environment for their children.

 

Parents choose family childcare because they want to keep their children in a homelike environment. They prefer to relate to a single caregiver and believe that children are healthier, happier, and more secure in smaller groups. Sometimes they choose family childcare because they can find it closer to home, it is less expensive, or it offers more flexible hours of care.

 

Parents choose in-home care because they believe their children will be more secure in their own homes. They believe that if they employ the caregiver to work in their home, they have more control over the kind of care their children will receive.

1. Look: Begin by visiting several childcare homes or centers. During each visit, think about your first impression. Does the place look safe for your child? Do the caregivers enjoy talking and playing with children? Are there plenty of toys and learning materials within a child's reach?

You should always visit a home or center at least once, but it would be best if you visited twice.  Stay long enough to get a good feel for what the care will be like for your child.

2. Listen: After you finish speaking with director, teacher, or family childcare provider, take some time to step back and listen. What does the childcare setting sound like? Do the children sound happy and involved? What about the adult voices...do they sound cheerful and patient?

A place that is too quiet may mean that there is not enough activity provided for the children. A place that is too noisy may mean that there is a lack of control.

3. Count: Count the number of children in each group. Then count the number of staff members caring for them.

The fewer the number of children for each adult, the more attention your child will get. A small number of children per adult is most important for infants and toddlers.

4. Ask: It is very important that the adults who care for your children have the knowledge and experience to give them the attention they need. Ask about the background and experience of all staff. Find out about the special training staff has.