Wallingford, CT – January 16, 2012 – Finding a good day care facility can be time-consuming. However, the payoff is peace of mind for working parents when placing their children in the care of other people. Connecticut Better Business Bureau advises parents to do the necessary research to find a safe, reliable and appropriate facility.
Recommendations from family or friends can be helpful, and government agencies or industry organizations also can be valuable sources of information. Parents should determine first what kind of facility they need: Full or part-time, in-home or facility-based. Consider the location in relation to home and work, traffic flow, the hours, cost and educational opportunities for the children.
Parents need to take time to visit facilities, ask about the staff’s training and experience and find out how the center handles medical emergencies. Children may be spending a large part of their waking hours in a day care setting, so it’s important to find out what kinds of education or stimulation is offered to help your child develop.
BBB has the following tips to help select a quality child care facility:
- Visit several facilities or caregivers, and find out how staff is selected and what their credentials are. What is the staff-to-child ratio? How are children grouped, whether by age or stage of development?
- Confirm the facility is licensed by the state or local community and whether it carries appropriate liability insurance.
- Ask about safety procedures and how accidents are handled. What will happen if your child is hurt or becomes ill while at the center? Will you be called or notified before you arrive to pick up your child? Will you always be contacted if your child is hurt?
- Ask about fees and payment deadlines. Is a deposit required, and is it refundable? Are fees charged if a parent is late picking up a child? Are there extra charges for any activities? Are meals and transportation offered? Is financial assistance available?
- Ask about the balance between structured and unstructured activities, what happens during naptime? How are babies prepared for naps, and how often are they checked while sleeping? What if your child can’t go to sleep?
- Make sure the center or day care home is clean, with enough space for children to play and adequate safety equipment.
- Call at least three parents whose children are enrolled in the program to discuss their experiences.
- Ask if your child can spend part of the day in the day care center or home before you enroll.
- Be alert to your child’s reaction and behavior.
Allow plenty of time for adjustment, especially in the first days and weeks at the center. Call or visit the facility once your child is enrolled to find out how your child is doing, and to establish rapport with the staff.
Parents can check child care centers’ reputation at
www.ct.bbb.org/Find-Business-Reviews, or select from a list of
accredited child care centers in our BBB Accredited Business Directory at
www.bbb.org, or by calling 203-269-2700.
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Founded in 1928, Connecticut BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. BBB helps consumers find and recommend businesses, brands and charities they can trust, offers objective advice and a wide range of education on topics affecting marketplace trust.
BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses. Today, 116 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than three million local and national businesses and charities. For more advice on finding companies and businesses, start your search with trust at www.bbb.org/.
