|
About
Children's Resource and Referral
Referral
and Complaint Policy
Parents' Rights
& Responsibilities
Identifing
Child Care Needs
How to
Choose a Child Care Center
How to Locate & Choose Quality Child
Care
Child care centers normally operate outside of the
licensee's home and provide care and supervision to infants, toddlers,
pre-schoolers and/or school-age children. Care is provided for
periods of less than 24 hours. These programs must meet health,
safety and space requirements. Directors, teachers and aides must
be considered competent and certified according to state laws.
Centers usually provide child care in group settings and vary
with the number of days and hours offered. Class size and teacher-to-child
ratios may vary from program to program, but all must meet minimum
state standards as set forth in Tittle 22 California State Regulations:
| 1:4
for infants under 2 years |
1:6
toddler option (18-30 months) |
| 1:12
over 2 years |
1:14
school-age |
Every center, whether private or public, has its own philosophy
and program specifics. It is important for parents to observe
the center in operation and talk to the director and teachers
about the center's philosophy, policies and fee structure.
Some centers, State Preschools, and Headstart programs receive
funding to subsidize the cost of care for income-eligible families.
These programs use a sliding scale fee based on family size and
income. If you are not able to afford child care, contact The
Children's Resource & Referral Program and the staff will
advise you on what programs offer assistance.
Partial requirements for centers include:
- Fingerprint and TB clearance of staff
- Fire and safety standards for the facility
- Prohibition of all physical and humiliating punishment
- Training and educational requirements for staff (including
15 hours of health & safety training)
How To Choose
a Family Child Care Home
Family child care homes offer care for children in the caregiver's
home. Family child care providers offer programs which vary from
a home-like environment to a more structured setting and may include
children of different ages. Children take part in a variety of
experiences and activities as well as family routines.
Building a Positive
Child Care Relationship
Choosing a provider, or a family to use your care, is just the
beginning of a long-term relationship. Here are some ideas to
help you work together more effectively.
PARENT:
- Respect your child care provider: be on time to pick up your
child; pay tuition on time; listen to your provider's suggestions.
- Set aside time to review the contract and enrollment papers
with your provider before starting care. Ask for a signed copy.
- Visit the child care setting. Visits can be fun for your child
and allow you to experience her/him at play.
- Take time to let your caregiver know about your child on a
daily basis. Information about family trips, visitors, illness,
and other changes in schedules can help your provider better
meet your child's needs.
- Get to know the other families participating in the program.
Their children are a part of your child's everyday experiences.
- Tell your caregiver what you like about the program and arrange
time to discuss anything that concerns you.
- Maintain confidentiality of information. Speak privately about
issues involving your child care.
PROVIDER:
- Respect parents: understand their individual culture and work/family
situations; value their decisions. Parents have vital information
to share with you about their child(ren).
- Give clear written and verbal information about your program.
Review your contract thoroughly with parents.
- Encourage parents to visit at various times of the day. Show
the quality of care you offer.
- Take time to let parents know about their children's accomplishments
and share information about daily activities.
- Make opportunities for families to get to know one another.
Have parent meetings and parties, serve a snack one evening
a month so parents can stay and meet one another. Invite parents
to help on field trips.
- Let parents know how much you appreciate them and their children
and arrange time to discuss any concerns as they arise.
- Maintain confidentiality of information. Speak privately about
issues involving their child.
- Maintain complete and current records on each child enrolled
including health needs, family emergency information, names
of persons authorized to remove the child.
|
