Quality Child Care

This takes time, effort, and knowing what to look for. Child care is care provided by an adult other than the parents for some part of the day while parents work or are otherwise engaged. Some types of child care must be licensed in Idaho.

Quality child care enhances a child's sense of self and builds a foundation for learning. Below are some features of a quality child care program.

The Provider

• Understands the needs of infants and young children;
• Responds appropriately to children's needs, uses positive guidance and discipline;
• Works to promote growth in the core areas of development (social, emotional, cognitive, physical, language); and
• Respects, responds to, and maintains communication with children and their families.

   

The Environment

• Is safe, clean and secure;
• Provides a comfortable, homelike atmosphere indoors with a variety of play materials and spaces; and
• Has a stimulating outdoor play space.

The Program

• Offers a variety of appropriate developmental activities;
• Encourages active learning through play;
• Provides nutritious, appetizing meals and snacks;
• Follows a consistent schedule of daily routines; and
• Offers opportunities for individual as well as group activities encouraging positive social interaction.

   

Tips for Choosing Child Care

Options to Consider

• Family child care homes enroll a small group of children in the caregiver's home.
• Group child care homes enroll up to 12 children.
• Child care centers can serve larger numbers of children.
• In-home care is provided in your home by a caregiver, such as a nanny.
• Alternative child care arrangements may include relatives, friends, neighbors, shared care, emergency care, and drop-in care.

Schedule an informational interview with a provider to gather information such as hours, tuition, sick policy, holidays that the provider is closed, activities that your child would be doing, discipline policy, and the provider's child care philosophy. If you are interviewing a home child care provider, you might want to meet the provider's spouse and family. List possible questions to ask each provider, and remember to ask for references from other parents.

Child Care Articles

(Note: You'll find these articles at different web sites. Use the "back" button when you're done to return to this page.)

The National Child Care Information Center — Information for parents, child care providers, organizations, policy makers, and the broad child care community, to complement, enhance, and promote linkages, and serve as a mechanism for supporting quality, comprehensive services for children and families.
 

Helping Your Child Say Good-bye

Provider Appreciation Day