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, . DAY CARE CHECKLIST GENERAL ADVICE TO PARENTS Take your time. Your child's health and safety are at stake. Ask all the questions you want to ask. Listen to your intuition to be sure you feel good about the provider. Listen to your child. Before selecting a provider do two interviews. Take your child along on one to make sure they like the place and the people. After your child is In day care take time each day to talk about their day care experience. If they are being mistreated they will usually let you know by their words or their actions. QUALIFICATIONS— TRAVEL LICENSING REFERENCES ❑ Will the provider haveyour Is there a current license on ❑ Ask the provider to tell you why permission to take your child ❑ ? Washington state law they are qualified to care for your places in a car or van? �Y child. requires that people who provide Ask for a list of references, — If so, ask to see the vehicle. child care outside a child's home ❑ — Is the vehicle in good repair? be licensed by the Department of Including parents whose children — Are there seatbelts? Car seats for Services. are being cared for by the — younger children? provider. Call the references and ❑ Are drivers insured? talk to them. PAYMENT EMERGENCIES How much do they charge? THE PHYSICAL LAYOUT— 8 How does this compare with the EMPHASIS ON SAFETY 0 Is the provider trained in first aid going rate in your community? and CPR? ❑ Have they increased rates ❑ Is it the kind of place you want ❑ What are their general emergency recently? your child to be in? procedures? ❑ Do they plan to increase rates in 8 Is there a safe outside play area? — Do they have regular fire drills? the near future? Is there a lot of traffic? Will noise '— Are emergency numbers clearly — Will you pay in advance, or later? be a problem? — posted by the phone? — How often will you pay? ❑ Are there dangerous stairs? Are — Will you be expected to pay if they equipped with gates? FOOD — your child is absent? –" Is the place neat and clean? ❑ What is their policy about — Is the lighting adequate? 0 There should be mid-morning and overtime? "- Are unused electrical outlets mid-afternoon snacks and a hot plugged? lunch. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES ❑ Are poisons stored securely out of 0 Ask to see a typical meal or the reach of children? menu. AFTER YOU DECIDE ON ❑ Are there sharp objects or other ❑ Agree on what foods you will A PROVIDER ... hazards? provide, if any. Discuss any Give the provider addresses and ❑ Are the toilets and washrooms special diet your child may need. 0phone numbers where you can be adequate? ❑ Is the kitchen set up so children reached at all times. can use it under supervision? Can NUMBER OF CHILDREN 0 Leave the number of some other they be kept out of the kitchen ❑ How many children, including person who has agreed to be when staff are preparing food? their own, will the provider be called if you're not available. caring for? ❑ Leave the number of your doctor In a family day care home, the or someone else the provider can PLAY—TOYS— 0 call in a medical emergency. number should not exceedsix full ACTIVITIES—NAPS be ❑ your children.There should no Have child's immunization ❑ Are there plenty of good toys more than two children under the records with you. Be sure they suitable for your child? Are they age of two years. are up to date. broken or dangerous? Make your payments promptly. ken the anger on TV? Be sure 8 Tell the provider about any ❑ What's sehen't substituteyfor personal PHILOSOPHY OF CHILD allergies, physical problems, or Tother special needs of your child. care. CARE—DISCIPLINE ❑ How ill can your child be and 8 Are there places to take walks? ❑ Does the provider seem truly still come to day care? Agree on Are there tricycles and other interested in children? a policy. Have an alternative plan outside play equipment? ❑ Is the atmosphere positive and if your child is too ill to attend. ❑ Are there educational materials loving? 0 Arrange for regular conferences and art supplies such as clay, ❑ Is the provider's philosophy close with the provider. Don't let doubts paint, puzzles, books, records, to your own? Will your child get or problems build up. musical Instruments? mixed messages? Drop in now and then, especially ❑ Is there a place for naps? Cribs ❑ Limits on behavior should be ❑ if your child is very young and for infants? clear, firm, and consistently can't tell you how he or she is ❑ Who provides towels and applied. being treated. blankets? ❑ Discipline should not be enforced ❑ Let the provider know who, ❑ Is there a regular schedule of through teasing, shaming, activities? scolding, shouting, or physical chit you, may pick up your 9� P Y child. abuse. ❑ If you suspect that your child has ❑ Discuss methods of discipline with been abused by the provider or the provider, and agree on a that the provider is not meeting e policy. State regulations prohibit licensing requirements report it. D spanking except as a last resort. Call your nearest Division of LD It must not result in bruises orChildren and Family Services other physical harm. office or the statewide toll free hotline at 1-800-562-5624. _J A public service announcement provided by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. DSHS 2.356(X)(9/84)QX A202