Guiding Children Successfully Educational Guides
Program 11. Choosing Quality Child Care
 "Nothing
matters more for the future of our world than the way we raise our
children today."
1. Parents need choices
Do you ever struggle with finding quality child care? Or maybe once you
find care do you struggle with leaving your child? Identify some of these
struggles.
When considering child care what do you look for? Do you consider whether
the providers are caring and tuned in to your child’s needs? Are they
respectful of your child’s values and ideas? Will the center provide a safe
and secure learning environment for your little one?
Think about your needs as a parent choosing child care. How can you meet
your own needs while also being sensitive to the needs of your child?
2. Know the blessings and challenges of care.
Between mom and dad there should not be more than four thirds of a full
time job, according to Stanley Greenspan, so that parents have time for
their children.
Think about your current career, financial, family situations. Are there
any adjustments that could be made to better accommodate your needs and the
needs of your child?
3. Look for the things that matter most – high quality child care
programs, objective of life long learning, work with parents not in
competition with them.
Think about the relationship you have with your child’s caregiver. How
well do you know that person? What are some ways you could get to know that
person better?
Do you have an effective means of communication with this person? If not,
how might you develop a system?
Are you involved in your child’s education/care? Do you support play and
learning at home? How might you become more involved?
What are some ways you can show support to your child’s caregiver?
For additional information, see web units at
www.arfamilies.org. Of
particular relevance to this program are:
Getting Involved in Your Children's Education;
Connecting Children to the World of Work; and
Taking Care of the Parent
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