You, the child's parent, must decide whether the home meets your child's particular needs. And, as you visit the home, you may wish to check to see whether the basic registration requirements continue to be met. Quality of care has been found to be associated with registration. While registration is no guarantee of quality, it can be a good indicator. If the home is not registered, you can still use the minimum requirements to guide you when you visit and choose a place.
Most families find family child care homes by word of mouth - asking friends, coworkers, neighbors.
Look at all the rooms and spaces the children use - kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, etc. Visit at least once with your children. The following are questions you may want answers for to help you evaluate and select your family child care home. Look for a variety of activities including both active and quiet play, and both indoor and outdoor activities. Look for play equipment and materials in a safe condition that are appropriate for the ages and number of children being cared for.