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Choosing
Childcare & Preschool
Placing
your child in child care or preschool is one of the most important
decisions you will make as a parent. Because children learn so
much during the earliest years of their lives, quality child care
and preschool can help build your child's self-esteem, confidence,
language and social skills. Children need a safe, loving, comfortable
and enriched environment for their happiness and success.
Naugatuck
Discovery urges families to carefully consider all options for
early care and education. After you choose a child care provider
or a preschool that is right for your family, it is important
for you to stay in touch and share information regularly with
the provider and to continue to monitor the arrangement. Work
with the provider to solve problems for the best interest of the
child. Before you choose a child care or preschool facility, do
the research and make sure you are choosing the best setting for
your child and family. Remember, you have the final responsibility
and have the right to change providers at any time, but changing
providers too often can be detrimental to your child's social,
emotional and academic growth.
Types
of child care
In-home
care with a relative - A relative cares for the child in the
relative's home. Not regulated or licensed by the state of Connecticut.
In-Home
Care- Children are cared for in their own home by a parent,
family member, friend or paid provider. Not regulated or licensed
by the State of Connecticut.
Family
Day Care Home - A paid provider cares for up to 6 children,
not related to the provider, in the providers home. Licensed by
the State of Connecticut.
Group
Day Care Home - A paid provider cares for 7 to 12 related
or unrelated children outside the provider's own home. Licensed
by the State of Connecticut.
Center
Care- A large group, usually 12 or more children, are cared
for in a non-residential setting. child care centers are licensed
by the state. Licensed by the State of Connecticut.
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For
a complete listing of licensed Family Day Care Homes, Group Day
Care Homes, and Child Care Centers, please visit :
www.dph.state.ct.us/BRS/Day_Care/day_
care.htm
What
does accredited mean?
According to the National Association for the Education of Young
Children, an accredited facility means that the educational program
being taught has met standards of excellence in early childhood
education. The programs provide a safe and healthy environment,
teachers are well-trained and have access to high quality teaching
materials while working with a curriculum that is developmentally
appropriate and challenging to the child. Accreditation standards
are often higher than what states require, and facilities are
not required by state law to become accredited.
For
more information on accreditation for center-based child care,
please visit the National Association for the Education of Young
Children's web site, www.naeyc.org.
For more information on accreditation for family child care homes,
please visit the National Association of Family Child Care's web
site, www.nafcc.org.
What
does licensed mean?
The State of Connecticut's Department of Public Health Division
of Community Based Regulation (DCBR) is responsible for licensing
and regulating child day care facilities in the state. Licensed
providers are those who have achieved at least the minimum standards
required by law to meet the health, educational and social needs
of children utilizing those services. DCBR licenses family day
care homes, group day care homes, and child day care centers.
Licensed child care centers and homes are subject to periodic inspection
by the Department of Public Health's licensing specialists and
must post their license in a conspicuous place.
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For
more information on licensing,
please visit:
www.dph.state.ct.us/BRS/Day_Care/day_
care.htm.
What
is Head Start?
Head Start is a federally funded comprehensive early childhood
program for low-income families and their children. The major
goal of Head Start is to promote children's social competencies-
their ability to function effectively in their every day environments
and subsequently in school and in life.
Children
are eligible for Head Start if they are at least three years old
by December 31st of the school year they plan on attending the
program. Ninety percent of enrolled families are low-income families,
with up to 10% of families coming from over income guidelines.
Head Start slots are completely subsidized, and parents do not
have to pay.
What
is School Readiness?
School Readiness is a state-funded initiative that aims to significantly
increase the number of spaces in accredited/ approved programs
for young children to provide access to high-quality school readiness
program.
Naugatuck
children, ages 3 and 4, and children who are 5 years of age and
are not eligible to enroll in school, may enroll in a school readiness
program. At least 60% of the children enrolled must come from
families whose income is at least at or below 75% of the state
median income.
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For
more information on Head State and School Readiness slots or to
determine if your child is eligible, please contact the Early
Childhood Development Center in Naugatuck at (203) 729-2390.
Or visit the State Department of Education's Bureau of Early Childhood
web site at:
www.state.ct.us/sde/deps/Early/index.htm.
What
is the Birth to Three System?
The State of Connecticut's Birth to Three System works to help
all families meet the developmental and health-related needs of
their infants and toddlers who have delays or disabilities.
Children
of Naugatuck residents who are under the age of 36 months that
have been "diagnosed with a medical condition such Down syndrome,
spina bifida, autism, blindness, deafness or others that have
a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay, or a
child who shows significant delays in development such as talking
or walking" may qualify for the Birth to Three system.
For
more information on Connecticut's Birth to Three System, please
visit their website www.birth23.org.
If you have questions about your child's development, or for referral
services, please call The Child Development Infoline at 1-800-505-7000.
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Questions
to Ask When Choosing a child care or Preschool Facility:
-
Is the facility licensed?
- Is
there adequate space for quiet and active play both indoors
and outdoors?
- Are
there safe areas for napping?o Is the facility clean and is
hand-washing practiced regularly?
- Are
all areas "child-proofed" and free of hazards?
- Is
all equipment safe and in good repair?
- Are
there working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and a first
aid kit?
- What
are the hours of operation?
- Is
there an adequate amount of toys, books, games and other play
materials for all children?
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of Page
Provider
and Staff:
- Does
the provider and all staff have training in child development
or early childhood education?
- Does
the provider have liability insurance or a waiver of liability?
- Does
the provider and center staff have up-to date training in pediatric
first aid and CPR and is someone who is trained on-site at all
times?
- Is
the caregiver someone who is warm, sensitive to children's needs,
and who responds lovingly and respectfully to children?
- Does
the caregiver give each child individual attention?
- Does
the caregiver treat each child in positive ways that build self-esteem?
- Which
provider seems the most caring?
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Facility
Policies:
- Are
the proper adult/child ratios maintained?Is there an emergency
evacuation plan and is it posted and practiced?
- Are
there emergency contact cards for each child?
- Is
the caregiver willing to discuss your child with you anytime?
- Are
parents welcome to visit anytime?
- What
are the discipline procedures?
- Are
child abuse reporting procedures provided to parents?
- Are
staff aware of the child abuse reporting procedures?
- Does
staff know they are mandated reporters when a child has been
abused?
- Does
the caregiver use written agreements and clearly communicate
the expectations and policies of the program?
- In
which situation will my child thrive?
- Do
I trust the provider?
- Do
I feel comfortable leaving my child there?
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of Page
Adult
to Child Ratios
School-age
children:
1 teacher per 12 children
Preschool-age children (ages 3-5):
1 teacher per 10 children
Toddler-age children (ages 13 months-35 months):
1 teacher per 8 children
Infant-age children (ages 6 weeks-12 months):
1 teacher per 4 children
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