Parents & Families - How to Choose Child Care
How to Choose Child Care
It’s important to know what quality looks like when looking for a child care program. A quality early childhood learning environment will include:
- Protection of children’s health and safety
- Stimulating learning opportunities with concepts brought out through play experiences
- Positive relationships with caregivers and children
Types of Child Care
Child Care Family Homes
Family home providers care for children in the provider’s home or other suitable family type of residence. Some parents choose child care family homes because they want to keep their children in a home-like environment, want to relate to a single caregiver, and believe their children will be happier and more secure in a smaller group.
Voluntary Registered Child Care Family Homes
Voluntary Registered Child Care Family Homes are regulated by the Registered Child Care Family Homes, PUB-003. These homes are voluntarily registered to care for five or fewer children and receive periodic unannounced monitoring visits. In Arkansas, child care family homes caring for fewer than six children are not required to be licensed according to the “Child Care Licensing Act 20-78-202″ of 1969.
Licensed child care family homes are regulated by the Minimum Licensing Requirements for Licensed Child Care Family Homes, PUB-001. In a child care family home, children are cared for in a caregiver’s own family residence or in some other suitable family type residence. A license is required for any home caring for six or more children from more than one family. A licensed home can have a maximum capacity of sixteen children if there is sufficient usable indoor space available to the children. Homes providing care to eleven or more children are required to have health and fire department approval. Minimum licensing requires that all caregivers have a criminal background check and that homes maintain an open-door policy to families. Licensed and registered homes are inspected one to three times annually, depending on the type of program. These visits are unannounced. Additional visits may be made if a concern is noted.
Child Care Centers
Families who choose a child care center usually feel that more staff, space and equipment provide a better learning environment and more secure environment for their child. Centers are usually located in commercial district settings. Many child care programs have children grouped according to ages so that activities can be designed to meet the developmental needs of that specific age group.
Licensed child care centers are regulated by the Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers, PUB-002. The child care center must meet all essential standards necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the children. Essential standards include but are not limited to those relating to issues involving fire, health, safety, nutrition, discipline, staff/child ratio and space. Licensed facilities are inspected one to three times annually, depending on the type of program. These visits are unannounced. Additional visits may be made if a concern is noted.
Out of School Time Programs
Out-of-School Time care includes all the care programs offered before school, after school and during holiday and summer break. For many families, there is a gap between the time school ends and the time work ends. Out-of-School Time care fills this gap by creating available care for all school-aged children.
Reasons to Choose a high-quality Child Care
Children are born learning. Quality Child Care providers understand the best way to support your child’s early brain development and teach them is not through lessons or worksheets. The most effective learning happens through play and positive interactions with parents and educators.
Early childhood educators stay up-to-date on the latest skills to support your child through required annual training, and use research-based curriculum developed by early education experts.
Kindergarten readiness is a big part of Better Beginnings. Kindergarten can be difficult for children who have not been in a high-quality Better Beginnings child care program. Learning with qualified child care professionals prepares your child to start kindergarten with confidence. That early learning head start can last a lifetime.
Why Quality Early Childhood Education Matters
- Most parents must return to their jobs by the time their babies are 4 months old.
- Children spend 11,500 hours in early care and education settings before kindergarten.
90% of a child’s intellect, personality and social skills are developed by age 5. - Quality early childhood educators are trained to support the development of social and academic skills used throughout a child’s lifetime.
- The quality of children’s early care and education determines their success in education and the workplace.
Choosing Appropriate Child Care
Finding child care can be overwhelming and stressful.
If you find some of the answers difficult to understand, visit the Child Care Aware website at www.childcareaware.org. Find your local Child Care Aware office here.
