The Keys To Quality Child Care

The Keys to Quality Child Care are essential tips and tools for parents to consider when selecting a child care provider for their children.  Over 31,000 babies are born each year in CCRC’s 2,500 square mile service area, and our goal is to educate each and every new parent on how to find safe and reliable child care.

Parents seeking child care receive literature on the basic how-tos of selecting quality child care, as well as a child safe teething ring with baby keys as a reminder to parents how to choose, and continue to monitor, their child's care giver.

CCRC's Keys to Quality "Baby Keys"

Goals of the Campaign

1. Teach parents the critical questions to ask a child care provider before leaving a child in their care.
   
2. Demonstrate what a parent should look for when they visit the home of a child care provider or a child care center.
   
3. Give parents examples of how to communicate and build a healthy relationship with their child’s care provider.
   
4. Provide direct information to the community and area hospitals on how to educate parents on choosing quality child care.
   
5. Increase awareness of quality child care and parental rights in choosing a child care provider.
   
6. Create a demand for better child care.  Quality child care will increase in response to the demand.

Please consider helping CCRC with this valuable campaign. For more information, contact CCRC’s Communications Department at (866) 674-5437.

Keys to Quality Care  Match | Learn | Develop

Match the needs of your child and family with the program.
Explore your child care options and determine which program best matches the needs of your child and family.

Match your beliefs on discipline to those of the caregiver.
Positive discipline should include a “teachable moment”. Children test and push limits, giving the provider an opportunity to redirect the child to learn self-control and self-discipline.

Match your culture and child-rearing beliefs.
When caregivers acknowledge a family’s beliefs and culture by including materials, books, food, music, and traditions as part of the everyday curriculum, children and parents feel respected and welcomed.

Learn about the caregiver’s experience and education.
Ask each caregiver about their education, training, and experience in early childhood education and their knowledge of child development stages.  Check the caregiver’s background with the appropriate agencies and ask for references.

Learn about the child care environment.
Ask your caregiver about health and safety procedures.  What are the hand washing and diapering procedures?  Are there age-appropriate materials inside and outside the care facility? How often are the materials cleaned and inspected?  Check for fenced yards, covered pools, functioning smoke detectors, and adequate food storage.  In case of emergency, is there an escape plan posted?

Learn about what meals are served and who supplies them.
Healthy nutrition fuels a child’s brain and physical development.  Meal times offer the opportunity for a child to socialize and learn proper nutrition.  Meals should include a defined routine and appropriate portions.

Learn how the caregiver relates to children in their care.
A positive relationship between caregiver and child includes a caring, loving adult that can consistently provide limits and boundaries to help the child feel safe and secure.  Evaluate how the caregiver might respond to difficult situations.

Learn what activities the provider offers your infant or toddler.
Learning opportunities with age-appropriate materials and activities improve a child’s knowledge, social skills, and self-awareness.  Early language and literacy experiences such as talking, singing, and reading with a child promote learning, thinking, and imagination.

Develop positive, ongoing communication with your caregiver.
Children feel more confident when they see that their parents are comfortable with their caregiver. Develop a form of communication with your provider that may include daily notes, phone conversations, and scheduled meetings.  This offers parents and providers an opportunity to share your child’s development.