The selection of a child care arrangement is one of the most critical child-rearing decisions facing parents during their child’s early years. As a parent, your challenge is to learn enough about key issues in child care to be able to make the best choice possible for your child. Begin the search and application process several months before care is needed. For infant care, this should be done early in your pregnancy.
Before making your final decision on a child care program be sure to consider the following:
Steps to Choosing Quality Child Care
Check Lists to Use When Visiting a Program
Check a Program's Violation History
Make a Complaint
An important step:
Parents should always review the licensing/registration records, inquiring about the regulatory history, occurrence of serious citations, and the complaint history of a program to make sure the child care provider is in good standing with the NYS Office of Children and Family Services and that there are no unresolved citations. Then decide where you feel comfortable leaving your children and if it is the best fit for your family. This is an important step to ensure a quality child care placement and a vital component of a comprehensive search for the right child care provider.
