Center-based Care Day care centers are established settings where children are cared for in a group away from their homes for all or part of the day. There are many different kinds of center-based care, including preschools and parent cooperatives. Some of these centers are set up primarily to keep children safe and secure. Others are designed to prepare children for their school years. Many day care centers have an organized program of activities to help children learn.
Some centers follow more formal plans.
Your child may not be comfortable in a large group for a major part of each day. In Nebraska there should be at least one staff person for every four children ages six weeks to 18 months. Talk to the director to make sure the center's program has the approach you like, and includes the kinds of activities you want for your child. This checklist is designed to help you decide what things about a day care arrangement are most important to you and your family. It can help you make sure your child's arrangement offers the things you believe important.