What’s Best For Your Children?
The Child Care Connection is a resource and referral service for childcare which began in 1990, according to Parent Services Coordinator Ginny Everett. “We’re part of a statewide network of resource and referral agencies funded by the Department of Human Services. CCC provides referrals to families in a nine-county area for a variety of early childhood programs including childcare centers, preschools, and family childcare homes,” she said.
An important part of the services of Child Care Connection, which is affiliated with Illinois Central College, is providing information about choosing quality childcare, Everett said. “We also administer the child care subsidy program, which provides assistance to pay for childcare for low income families. In addition, we provide training and technical assistance to early childhood professionals.”
As Parent Services Coordinator, Everett plans, develops, implements, and ensures the delivery of information and assistance to parents, childcare providers, the community, and employers regarding childcare issues. “We maintain a database of childcare programs, primarily licensed, serving children ranging from birth to 12 years. I directly supervise the referral staff and manage data collection and reporting in regard to the supply and demand of childcare in this area.”
Everett said choosing care for their children is one of the most important decisions working parents have to make—and one of the most daunting. “In evaluating options, there’s nothing more important than the health and safety of your child. Child Care Connection promotes licensing of childcare programs through the Department of Children and Family services. Although licensing isn’t a guarantee of quality, it’s an important step toward professionalism and ensuring minimum standards of health and safety are being met.”
Under Illinois law, a childcare license requires background checks through the Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking system and fingerprint searches, Everett explained. “A state licensing representative then evaluates each caregiver and childcare setting to determine if they meet minimum requirements. A license must be renewed every three years. Each step in the licensing process helps ensure children can develop in safe and healthy environments.”
But knowing a facility is licensed doesn’t mean parents can relax their vigilance regarding the conditions in which their child is being cared for. “It’s important parents monitor their childcare arrangement regularly, not just during the interview process,” she said. “Look around to check that equipment is sturdy, toys aren’t broken, and areas for children are free from sharp corners and edges. Is the setting clean and comfortable? Are there working smoke detectors in every area? What are the fire, tornado, and emergency plans? Are proper handwashing procedures followed? Is the outdoor play area safe, fenced (or secure), and appropriate for young children? Are toys cleaned and sanitized frequently?”
Everett said there are red flags about whether a child care facility is unsafe for your child, but one of the most important elements is simply trusting your instincts. “You may never be 100 percent comfortable with any provider, and you will need to be realistic about your expectations. You should visit, observe, and ask whatever questions will help you determine if this is the best provider for your child.”
She recommended parents ask themselves the following questions while visiting and interviewing a provider:
- Am I comfortable with this provider?
- Does he or she seem like someone who’s approachable and friendly?
- Does the provider seem to have enough time to meet the needs of all of the children in care?
- Do the children in care sound happy?
- Are the caregiver’s voices loud enough to be heard but not overpowering?
- It’s important children be cared for in a warm and nurturing environment and that they feel safe and secure. Do you agree with the discipline methods?
- Are activities planned and provided for the various age groups?
- Do the rules and policies seem reasonable and clear?
“The arrangement you make for childcare should be a partnership—one in which both parent and provider have the children’s best interest in mind. It’s also helpful to take a friend or relative with you to the visit as a second pair of eyes and ears,” Everett said.
As far as child to caregiver ratio, she said there are set standards, depending on what type of facility you’re considering for your child. For centers: infants six weeks to 15 months must have a four to one ratio, toddlers 15 months to two years must have a five to one ratio, two-year-olds must have an eight to one ratio, three- to five-year-olds must have a 10 to one ration, and school aged children can have a 20 to one ratio.
For family childcare homes, there can be one caregiver alone with a mixed-age group of up to eight children, Everett said. For those eight children under age 12, there can be no more than five children under age five and no more than three children under 24 months, and the provider’s own children under age 12 must be counted into this ratio. “These ratios reflect the Illinois Licensing standards, which are minimal. The younger the child, the more individualized attention that’s needed. High quality programs recognize that not only ratio, but smaller group size is important when planning for staffing.”
Weighing the Options
Everett pointed out that parents in central Illinois generally have to choose from three types of care: center, family childcare, and in-home or relative care. “It’s important parents consider the type of care which best meets the needs of their child and family. If you don’t know which would be best for your child, visiting, observing, and interviewing more than one provider of each type is recommended. Children thrive in environments that are consistent, comfortable, and welcoming. Childcare providers who are knowledgeable about child development and who seek additional training about how children grow and learn are more likely to provide high quality care.”
She said the majority of parents are most concerned that their children are in a safe, healthy environment. “They struggle with the need to work to provide for their families and the need to be sure their children are being well cared for and nurtured while parents are away. I encourage parents to be very thorough when selecting a child care provider.”
Everett said asking open-ended questions is generally the best advice. “Ask questions such as ‘What are your plans for getting the children out safely in case of fire?’ ‘Explain your handwashing and diapering procedures to me.’ When visiting, be sure to see all areas of the home or center where your child will be cared for—inside and outside. In a childcare center, the director is the person you generally interview, but he or she is the person who will likely spend the least amount of time with your child. Ask to interview the teacher your child will have as well. When checking references, ask questions that will provide information that’s useful: ‘What did you like best about this provider?’ ‘If there’s anything you could change about this arrangement, what would it be?’”
While safety is uppermost in parents’ minds, affordability can be a problem for working parents. “Childcare can be very expensive, and the issue sometimes comes down to ‘Can I afford to work?’ When the situation is a two-parent household, and working or not may be a choice for one parent, the decision can still be difficult. Choices have to be made, and sometimes sacrifices—such as a newer car or family vacations—may have to be put on hold,” Everett said.
Unfortunately, many parents—especially single parents—don’t have the choice, she said. “Choosing to stay home, due to lack of quality care or affordability, isn’t an option. Assistance may be available to low income families through the childcare subsidy program, although many families may not qualify due to eligibility requirements. But just because they don’t meet the requirements doesn’t mean they can afford the cost of childcare. Exploring options such as care by friends or relatives may be a part of the solution.”
Everett said she believes the subject of childcare is now attracting much-needed attention, but more discussion is necessary. “Often, the conversation stops at ‘What can anyone do about it?’ Solutions need to be explored on many levels—community, employers, legislators, parents, relatives, and friends. Employers often think they have to provide on-site childcare centers to address childcare issues for employees, when, in fact, more flexible, family-friendly policies could be a better answer.”
Community and governmental support is equally important, she said. “Communities can become involved in exploring ways to support existing programs, as well as investigate the need for more. Legislators and policy makers can make children and families a priority in drafting legislation that affect them. Neighbors, relatives, and friends—whether or not they have any children of their own—can take an active interest in improving the quality and availability of childcare in their communities. Never more true is the idea that ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’” TPW