How to Find Child Care in My Area
Finding the right child care provider is important to every parent. Sometimes relying on word of mouth or pulling a piece of paper off of a flyer with a telephone number listed on it is not the most reliable method. Throughout the country there are agencies that free of charge, can assist parents in locating a licensed family child care home, licensed center, preschool, or nanny. This article will help you locate your local Resource and Referral agency.
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Instructions
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Go to www.naccrra.org
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On the right side of the home page is a place for you to search for your local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR) agency by entering your zip code. The search will give you the name, address, and phone number of your local R&R.
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Call the CCRR and let them know you are looking for child care. They will ask you numerous questions to pinpoint your need for child care services. These questions will include asking you the age of your child, if your child has any special needs, do you want your child care provider to be located near your home or near your work, your address, your name, do you need the child care provider to pick up or drop off, etc.
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The CCRR will give you a list of 5 to 10 child care providers in your area. You will use this list to make initial phone contact with the child care provider. When you call them, ask yourself: Where they courteous when they answered the phone? Does it sound chaotic in the background? Are you communicating well with them during your conversation? Do they have space available to accommodate your child's needs and schedule?
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If you feel comfortable with the phone conversation, schedule a time to make a site visit. Be sure to bring your child with you to see how the child reacts to the environment and the provider and to see how the provider interacts with your child. Most child care providers will not tell you their fees over the phone. This helps to prevent people from 'shopping' around without seeing what they are getting.
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During the site visit, check for safe surroundings, ages of other children, rest area, play area, outdoor area, ask about what the children eat, what a typical daily schedule is, what is the providers approach to discipline, does she have any helpers, does she have any complaints on her license, how long has she been in business, what holidays is she closed on, what time does she open and close, what is her sick child policy, does she have back-up assistance if she is ill, etc.
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As the parent, you are the best choice for what type of care is right for your child. Go with your gut instinct and ask the questions you feel you need to ask.
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Choose the provider that you feel most comfortable with. Do not choose a provider that you feel somewhat meets your needs. If you do not find a provider that you like, call the local CCRR back and tell them you need more names. They will perform an expanded search and give you more names for your area. Don't give up; the right provider is out there!
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Tips & Warnings
On your site visit, let your child interact with the other children to see how he/she gets along with them.
You can request a list of only licensed centers or only licensed family child care homes.
Your local CCRR should also give you a telephone number to contact the agency that issues licenses to child care providers. Call this number and check on the background of your provider. THIS IS IMPORTANT.
