Perfect childcare does exist, though you couldn’t have convinced me of that when I surrendered my career as a pediatric nurse to stay home with my children… solely because I couldn’t find satisfactory childcare. I soon realized that I wasn’t alone and opened the doors to my own family home daycare.

Speaking from the inside, I can assure you that there are vast numbers of providers-in-waiting in centers, preschools, and family home daycares – and I’m going to help you find them!

1. Look inside yourself.
   Your qualities as a parent will determine what you’ll be happy with in a provider. Consider discipline, educational need, and work hours.
2. Look at your child.
   Does he do well in large crowds or better one-on-one? Does he have medical needs that would necessitate a school nurse?
3. Arm yourself with information.
   The National Association for the Education of Young Children (or NAEYC) at 800-424-2460 can provide information about regulations in your state as well as names of providers that have earned the coveted status of accreditation.
4. Call a referral service.
   Most communities have a childcare referral service available. Childcare Aware is a national service (800-424-2246) that can offer information about providers in your area. Keep your mind open to all forms of childcare.
5. Conduct telephone interviews.
   Call the providers whose information appeals to you.
   A brief over-the-phone interview can offer a multitude of information.
   Ask about:
   1. Experience/Training.
   2. Hours
   3. Teacher to child ratio
   4. References, preferably, parents of children currently in care.
6. Call your state regulatory department.
   Information about alleged abuse/neglect complaints and compliance might be available in your state.
7. Schedule an onsite interview.
   Look for the provider’s attentiveness to the children (including interaction with your child during the interview) and safety of the environment. Take a list of questions and things that are important to you. Talk with the children in care; do they seem happy?
8. Take it home.
   Don’t be intimidated into accepting a position you’re not sure about. Though the positions often fill quickly, it’s usually safe to take it home overnight. Time and again, parents have told me, "it just felt right."
9. Accept the position that you feel comfortable with.
   If necessary, ask for a second interview.
10. Stay involved.
    Your child offers the best information. Talk with him each afternoon about his day. Remember, childcare providers seldom chose the career for its excellent pay, but because they love children. Relatedly, a thank you or offering of appreciation for exceptional care goes a long way towards provider morale.

Safety Checklist

Provider:

• I have seen criminal record check/fingerprinting results of the provider.
• I have seen certification documents for Infant CPR and First Aid training.
• The provider has an "open door" policy, i.e. I can visit anytime.
• Generally seems clean, washes his/her hands often, especially after diapering and before food preparation.

Inside:

• Cleaners (including that used to clean diaper changing pad), medications, fuels, etc. are out of children’s reach.
  interview - "Better Basics for the Home"
• A safe heating or air conditioning unit is in use that would not pose a potential risk to child. If there is a fireplace in the home, all matches and fire starting materials should be inaccessible.
• Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers available. Fire drills are performed so that the children will know what to do in the event of fire.
• A plan of action is in place for emergencies.
• A phone is nearby; ideally, emergency numbers are posted near the phone (including poison control).
• Means of emergency transportation?
• First aid kit?
• Toys are age appropriate.
  No Small or sharp items.
• Stairs are gated.
• If this is a home daycare, is there a firearm in the home? If so, be sure that it is locked away and out of reach.
• Diaper changing area is clean, with a disinfectant for the diaper-changing pad nearby, but out of reach of children. There is a sink and soap nearby.
• Soiled diapers are placed in a closed trash can (not in the kitchen).
• The food preparation area is clean, preferably away from play area. Refrigeration is adequate (40° or below).

Outside:

• Ideally, care is on ground level, with an easily accessible exit for emergencies.
• Clean, safe outdoor play area is free of bodies of water, power tools/equipment, and is inaccessible to the road.
• Play equipment is age appropriate and free of loose screw caps, nails, or splinters.
• Play equipment is not installed over hard surfaces.
• Play equipment should also be anchored so that it does not tip. Concrete anchors should not be visible.
• If this is a home provider, are pets in the play area? As determined by the parent, consider this carefully. If acceptable, proof of pet vaccination should be available.

Emily Bridges is a freelance writer, pediatric nurse, preschool owner, and mother of three. She writes as an acting Columnist for Child Care Magazine, regular articles in The Harbour View, authorship of the preschool curriculum she uses in her preschool, and award-winning writing in college.

Meet the Author
Jill Dunford
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hosted by Sue Spataro
interview & FREE excerpt

Teach Me Mommy is a step by step themed book that gives parents lessons that will teach their preschoolers in a fun and relaxed way.  The book is simple to use and includes crafts, book recommends and topics to cover that are perfect for the preschooler. In the interview with author Jill Dunford, she describes how to set up your own nursery school complete with activities along with a FREE excerpt to help you see how this is done.

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