Look.
Visit several child care programs before deciding which is best for your family. Do they look safe? Are the children supervised at all times, even while they are sleeping? Do all caregivers and children wash their hands often, especially before and after eating, using the bathroom, or changing diapers?
Check.
Are toxic substances like cleaning supplies and pest killers kept away from children? Does the child care program have first aid kits? Does the child care program do practice fire drills once every month? Is the playground equipment safe and in good shape, with no sharp edges? Does the child care program keep medication out of reach from children?
Count.
Count the number of adults and the number of children they will be supervising. Be certain there are enough adults to manage all of the planned activities. Groups of younger children should be smaller than groups of older children. The Division of Child Development and Early Education regulates child care in North Carolina and has defined child-to-staff ratios for licensed child care.
| Staff to Child Ratio in North Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|
| Age of Child | Staff/Child Ratio | Maximum Group Size |
| 0 – 12 months | 1/5 | 10 |
| 12-24 months | 1/6 | 12 |
| 2 – 3 years | 1/10 | 20 |
| 3 – 4 years | 1/15 | 25 |
| 4 -5 years | 1/20 | 25 |
| 5 years and older | 1/25 | 25 |
Ask.
Ask about the training and experience of all adults who will be with your children. Do they have first aid and rescue breathing training? Are their discipline policies compatible with your philosophy? Are children able to choose among activities? What do the adults know about child development? Does the child care program have records proving that other children in care are up-to-date on all their required immunizations? Have all the caregivers gone through a background check?
Step 5 – Be Informed
Contact your local child care resource and referral agency for more information on choosing a safe and healthy child care setting. In Hoke County, call 1-877-230-3024, or click here to search for child care.
