11-teen Way of Looking at an Infant Care*

1.  On your hands and knees- Are toys and other materials accessible from this level?  Are pictures and photos placed where both a young infant and a mobile toddler can see them?  Remember that very young babies can only focus up to 1-2 feet away (though this range quickly expands).  Also, from a low vantage point you'll be able to spot any potential safety hazards.

2.  With your eyes closed!  Blocking out your vision will allow you to focus on your other senses.  Young children are just getting started in sorting out their senses, and touch, smell, taste, and sound are all equally important to them (as opposed to us vision-oriented adults).  Are there a variety of different textures available?  Can you smell traces of bleach or other harsh cleaning products?  Is the noise level a pleasant ruckus or an overwhelming roar?

3.  With your eyes open!  Check to see that the caregiver's license is displayed prominently (required by law) and that it's up-to-date.  For your information, anytime time a licensing analyst makes a visit to a child care facility, a written report is sent to that provider and this report must be posted for 30 days.  That visit could be a random choice or a follow-up on a complaint.



4.  As an academic.  The best caregivers (educarers, to use Magda Gerber's word) use a combination of experience and established child development theory.  In the state of California, you don't need ANY formal background in early childhood education to receive a license!  Ask what kind of education your potential caregiver has.  If you're a caregiver, do a little research.  It doesn't have to be expensive- Los Angeles City College has a great Child Development Department for like $20/unit.  Both LACC and UCLA Extension offer classes online and on weekends or evenings (though UCLA's classes are vastly more expensive!).  Finally, Pathways and other resource/referral agencies offer free seminars for both parents and caregivers.

5.  As a paranoid.  Aside from internal safety, ask about the provider's emergency procedures and safety training.  Does the site seem secure?  What is their protocol for pickup/dropoff?  A good child care center will ask to see i.d. of any unfamiliar people picking up a child.  The providers should always check the list of people allowed to pickup a child (usually filled out during enrollment).  Ask to see the center's first-aid kit and any credentials for first-aid/safety training.

6.  Do your homework.  It's never too early to start looking for child care.  The best places may have waiting lists (we've even heard of applications to one center submitted with a sonogram on it!).  You can get a feel for a place by making a phone call, but nothing beats an in-person visit.  Once you narrow down your choices, ask for references. 

7.  Tell your friends!  Personal references and word-of-mouth are how many people find great care for their kids.  Plus, then your child and your friend's kids will be cared for together and it's like the next generation cool circle of kids, together at last!  There are lots of forums online to read reviews of schools.

8.  Prioritize!  What's most important to YOU and your family?  For some it's proximity to work or your home.  Other families need a center that offers care outside regular business hours.  Of course, all families have a budget in mind.  Think about your goals for your child to see if a potential caregiver will be a good fit- do you need potty training?  Do you prefer a center that offers field trips, special outside instructors in the arts, or other chances for enrichment? 

9.  Be open-minded.  Many people shy away from family child care centers- we've all seen the little home/schools with their playground equipment and their banner flapping proudly in the wind.  They may seem a little less legit because they're so informal, but for infants especially this isn't necessarily a bad thing.  A home-based child care can offer a lot of comforts and truly be a second family for your child (of course, as a family child care giver myself I am a little biased).  Family child cares offer the advantage of a familiar, home-like setting and a lot of flexibility.

10.  With your ears open!  Communication is important in any family/caregiver relationship.  Even more so when it's infants or young toddlers who can't speak for themselves yet.  A quality infant care center will have written observations available documenting not only basic events like feedings and diaper changes, but also milestones or a "slice of life" running observation.  Some even provide a notebook (email would work nowadays too) for parents and caregivers to communicate back and forth with.  Pickups and drop offs can be hectic times, so I think the notebook is a great idea!

11.  Trust your gut. . . and your heart.  Enough said.

Good luck!

 *Yes, I am a recovering English lit nerd.  See the Wallace Stevens poem I'm referencing HERE.