Entries Tagged 'Parenting' ↓

The Child Trends DataBank, a product of Child Trends, contains a wealth of research related to child development and well-being. Findings can be browsed by age or subgroup (child, family or community characteristics).

Each report provides a high-level summary of findings (Headline and Importance), findings over time (Trends), and a number of related discriminators (Differences by Race/Parental Education/Grade). A comprehensive list of references and data sources accompany each report as well.

I found the DataBank while searching for information related to in-home child care (as opposed to center-based) care. Some statistics from the most recent (2005) Child Care report:

Estimates for 1995, 2001 and 2005 show similar patterns and levels of child care for young children (See Table 1). In 2005, 61 percent of children ages 0 to 6 (and not yet in kindergarten) spent time in nonparental care. Twenty-two percent were cared for by a relative, 14 percent by a nonrelative but in a home, and 36 percent in center-based programs (See Figure 1).⁷ Center-based programs may include day care centers, pre-kindergartens, nursery schools, Head Start programs, and other early childhood education programs.

Some other interesting indicators:

• Volunteering: “Youth who volunteer are less likely to become pregnant or to use drugs.
• Overweight Children and Youth: “[S]tudies suggest that belly fat is more dangerous than general body weight.”

Several months ago, I posted a list of questions that my wife and I used to ensure that we were getting useful information out of our interviews with child care providers. Of course, interviews are only part of the screening process. Parents will also want to verify provider licensing information, and ensure that the provider is compliant with applicable state (and local, but primarily state) laws.

Following are a few useful resources for Virginia parents:

• Search for licensed child care providers by provider name, county or zip code via the Virginia Department of Social Services - Provides licensing information, unannounced visit reports, and contact information for a given provider’s past inspector(s). You can also search for unlicensed providers via this system.
• Choosing Qualiy Child Care - A Resource Guide (PDF) - An overview of state-recognized child care options, and a number of very helpful forms, checklists, and reference documents.
• Child Day-Care Council code sections - The portion of the Virginia Administrative Code (state law) that applies to child day care providers, facility managers, etc. This is a great resource for determining whether a given provider meets the minimum requirements for staffing, space, equipment and safety.

We’re in the process of interviewing private child care providers, and have come up with the following list of questions that we plan to ask of each.

Business

• How long have you been operating a child care business?
• Is your business licensed? Insured?
• Do you have a Federal Tax ID number?

Staffing

• Are you and all of your assistants trained in first aid and CPR? How recent are your certifications?
• Are you and all of your assistants licensed to drive?
• How long have each of your assistants been with you?
• How did you meet your assistants (I.e., are they family, close friends, strictly employees)?
• Do you have knowledge of your assistants’ personal and professional backgrounds? Is this information available for review?
• Have you or any of your assistants ever undergone a background investigation? If not, are you or any of your assistants opposed to undergoing a background investigation?

Payment & Scheduling

• What are your rates? Can we pay for a partial week (four days) or make other such arrangements?
• Do we pay for your vacation time? Sick time?
• Do we pay for our own vacation time?
• What are your hours of operation?
• What are your late fees and related policies?
• When do you expect payment?
• What forms of payment do you accept?

Capacity

• How many children do you accept (by age)?
• Do you plan to increase these numbers? If so, will you be adding additional staff?
• Do you notify parents when taking on additional children and/or assistants?

Health, Safety & Emergencies

• How do you handle prescription medication?
• What is your policy regarding non-prescription medication (I.e., cold medicine, Tylenol, etc.)? Is it ever provided? With or without parental consent?
• What happens if you become sick or otherwise unavailable on short notice?
• What happens if a child becomes ill or injured?
• At what point do you consider an illness or injury serious enough that parents need to be notified immediately?
• How do you handle situations in which someone other than a parent must pick up a child? How do you verify that it is indeed a parent calling to make alternative pick-up arrangements?

Environment

• Do you have pets? If so, how many and what kind?
• Do you allow adult visitors other than parents during operating hours?
• Are any other business run out of the same facility/home?
• Do you allow parents to drop in during operating hours?
• Are monitors used in napping areas, or are these areas monitored in person?
• Do you use television or videos to entertain? If so, what type and how often?

Supplies

• What infant gear do you provide (I.e., swings, crib, walker) and what are we expected to supply?
• Does each child have his own bedding?
• Are we expected to provide diapers, wipes, and other such supplies?
• How often do you change diapers? Are they changed on a schedule, or as-needed?
• What are parents expected to provide as far as food and drink are concerned? For infants? For toddlers?

Other

• Do you take the children outdoors? If so, where? And how are the children transported?
• What is your philosophy regarding discipline?

Contracts & Forms

• Do you have a written contract available for review?
• Do you provide enrollment forms?
• Do you have copies of all licenses, certifications, and other applicable background information available for review?
• Do you provide a handbook or any written guidelines for parents?
• Can you provide a list of references?