EDUCATION IN ARIZONA
• Once you’ve narrowed down a list of providers, get details about their license to provide care. Each childcare facility’s regulatory history of inspections and reports is available online. • Visit the facilities. Go when children are in care so you can see how the caregiver treats children, what kinds of activities are available, and how problems are handled. See how well the caregiver provides a safe and healthy environment. Once you place your child in care, stay involved – and keep asking questions. • Look carefully at home or apartments that have a pool or are near lakes, creeks, or other bodies of water. The caregiver can explain how she ensures the safety of children in and around these bodies of water. • Discuss any concerns with the caregiver. Respect the caregiver’s time. Her main responsibility is working with the children. Don’t be offended if the caregiver can’t spend much time talking with you when you drop off or pick up your child. If you need more time to talk about your child, set up a conference. • It’s normal for children to have some fea rs and misgivings about starting childcare outside the home. Children need time to get used to new situations. Prepare your child for the change as far in advance as possible. Discuss his or her concerns. It is important to let the caregiver know about things at home that may affect how your child is doing while in care. • Talk to your child about his or her experiences in care. Watch for a time each day when your child is quiet and feeling secure and protected. Then gently ask questions about how he is doing. Share his excitement about new friends, skills, and abilities. Listen to his concerns. Give him a chance to boast about his achievements. PARENT TIPS FOR CHOOSING CHILD CARE
mothers can earn their high school diploma or GED while receiving free, on-site child care; and KIDLINE (school age children can call a free hotline for information and other in-home programs that teach parents better coping skills). Headquartered in Tucson, the agency provides services in Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Mohave, Pima, Santa Cruz, Graham, Maricopa and Yuma counties.
ChildCare Aware of America 3101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 350 Arlington, VA 22201 703-341-4100; www.usa.childcareaware.org
ChildCare Aware of America wants to ensure that every family in the United States has access to a high quality, affordable child care system. Not only does this support the child’s growth and development but they feel it creates positive economic impact for families and communities National Association for the Education of Young Children 1313 L St. N.W., Suite 500 Washington, D.C. 20005; 800-424-2460 www.naeyc.org NAEYC is focused on “the quality of educa-tional and developmental services for all children from birth through age 8,” including improving professional practice and working conditions in early childhood education; supporting early childhood programs by working to achieve a high- quality system of early childhood education; and building an organization of groups and individuals who are committed to promoting excellence in early childhood education for all young children.” National Association of Family Child Care 5202 Pinemont Dr. Salt Lake City, UT 84123 800-359-3817; www.nafcc.net NACCRRA is a national organization “dedicated to strengthening the profession of family child care by promoting high quality, professional early care and educa- tion and strengthening communities where providers live and work.” •
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