Adult / Child Care Resources & FAQs:

Resources:

A Guide to Choosing the Right Child Care for You and Your Child - a Johnson County Health Department Resource.

Child Care Source - This organization provides information and services for parents seeking child care, plus information on professional development opportunities for child care providers.

Child Health Online - Health and safety information for children aged zero to eight years.

Daycare Connection - Daycare Connection is a resource and referral agency that offers parents help in finding child care. It also provides training and other resources for child care providers. This agency is a food program sponsor for home daycare providers.

Healthy Child Care America - Information from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The Family Conservancy - The Family Conservancy offers parents help finding child care. It also provides training for child care providers.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment - Child care licensing and registration program.

National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies - This association offers information for professionals and parents. It publishes "The Daily Parent," a newsletter that offers news about child development issues and tips for finding quality child care.

Partnership for Children - Greater Kansas City 's leading children's advocacy organization. The partnership works on issues such as early care and education, children's health and youth violence prevention.

Zero to Three - Educational resource for parents and providers for children aged zero to three years.

Kansas Fire Marshal

Elder Smiles Program

"What Do I Look For in Quality Childcare?" (link to Johnson County Library)

Frequently Asked Questions:

Providers

Parents

Guidelines for Choosing a Quality Child Care:

If you decide to go back to work or school and need to leave your child with someone other than a relative, give some time and thought in locating a child care provider. Talk to the individual and plan a visit to the home before taking your child there. See where the child will be playing, napping, eating, etc.

Important questions to ask/things to look for:

• Is the provider licensed or registered? Ask to see their license or certificate of registration.
• Is the overall environment safe for the child? Is is similar to the child's home setting?
• Is there open communication? Is the provider asking questions of you and answering your questions?
• Chat with the provider for a while. Does the provider seem interested in children or is he/she just interested in money?
• Is the home/center relatively clean and are there proper eating, sleeping, and play space for your child?
• What plans has the provider made for emergencies and is there a telephone in the home/center?
• What kind of nutritional food/snacks are served and who will provide them?
• Are medications, dangerous chemicals, household cleaning supplies, and sharp objects locked away, or if in a home, out of reach of children less than 10 years of age?
• Is the outside play area safe, fenced, and free of hazards?
• What is the charge and are you charged for days your child is absent?
• Who (besides yourself) will be authorized to pick up your child?
• Will an adult be with your child at all times?
• Ask to see all areas of the home/center your child will have access to.