Below are some considerations for parents to think about before and during their search for quality child care for their child.

• Visit the home or center before enrolling your child. You can drop in to a center unannounced to make a visit during normal operating hours. Be sure to check that there are enough materials in the home or center and that children who are there are engaged.
• Check online to see if the home or center is licensed by the Department of Public Health (see link below).
• Ask what kind of educational background does the staff has: CDA? 2 year degree? Bachelors in Education? How many are CPR? First Aid certified?
• Ask what the child/staff ratio is.
• Ask about the curriculum that is followed. Be sure it covers the five areas of development: cognitive, emotional, language, physical and social. How is it implemented?
• Look for a clean safe environment – including a designated area both inside and outside for recreation.
• Does the home or center provide ongoing assessments and share your child’s progress regularly with you?
• Check online at www.naeyc.org to learn more about NAYEC accreditation.
• Ask for parent references.
• Is there a policy on parent involvement/volunteering.
• Is the home center up on current trends in Kindergarten education?

Connecticut Department of Public Health
A list of licensed child care centers, home day care sites, preschools and nursery schools.

Ages and Stages Tool:  Intersted in what your child should be doing developmentally?  Check out this fun website full of tools and articles about young children.
http://familyfun.go.com/parenting/child/dev/tool/stages_tlp/