These organizations can tell you about programs located near your home or office, help you determine which type of care will best suit your needs, and tell you which centers or family child care homes have space available. Once you have identified several child care alternatives, visit each program, observe it carefully, and talk to the adults who will provide care. Providers you meet should invite you to drop in at the child care program at any time and encourage you to take part in activities and decisions about the program. Head Start, the nation's popular and successful early childhood program, attributes much of its success to parental involvement. Plan to visit several programs before making a choice.
Quality varies greatly.
When you visit each program, take enough time to observe it carefully. Take a child care checklist with you and use it to guide your observations and questions. Safety and Health Issues Child care settings should be safe, and designed to encourage children to engage in different activities, both alone and with other children. Look for fences around outside play areas and wellconstructed playground equipment on a forgiving surface. Dangerous and toxic substances should be locked out of children's reach and electrical outlets and radiators should be covered.