
Our Community in Fairfax County, Virginia
Child Care
Steps to Selecting Child Care
By Fairfax County, June 2002
Arrange to visit several centers and family childcare providers. Visit more than once if you can. When you visit, look for...
- Responsive, nurturing, warm interactions between caregiver and children.
- Children who are happily involved in daily activities and receiving individual attention.
- A clean, safe environment, especially napping, eating and toileting areas.
- A variety of toys and learning materials, such as books, puzzles, blocks and climbing equipment that your child will find interesting.
- Is there adequate space and enough toys for the number of children in care?
When you visit, ask...
- Can I visit my child without calling first?
- How do you handle discipline?
- What do you do if a child is sick?
- What would you do in an emergency?
- Have you had CPR and First Aid? When?
- Have all the children been immunized?
- Tell me about your substitute or back-up caregiver?
- Do you have a written contract?
- Do you have an accreditation or certification?
- How do you communicate with parents about your program? (newsletter, bulletin board, etc.)
- Where do children nap? Do you know babies should sleep on their back?
- What training have you (and other staff/substitutes) had?
- May I see a copy of your permit or license?
- Do you participate in the USDA Food Program?
- May I have a list of parents (current and former) who have used your care to call for references?
For questions or more information, call 703-449-9555.