Child care is not one-size-fits-all. Choosing the best environment for your child can be difficult. Consider these quality indicators when looking for child care for your loved one: 

 

 

Health and Safety

Kansas licensed programs (both centers and family child care homes) must comply with health and safety standards. Use the link below to review the licensing history, substantial complaints or current non-compliance issues, of a child care facility regulated by KDHE.

 

 

 

 

 

Group Size/Ratio 

Find out what the child/adult ratio is in each child care facility you visit. Some children thrive in a large group setting, while others prefer the comfort of a smaller group. You should look for an environment that most closely matches your child’s personality and needs. The younger the child, the more one-on-one care he/she may need. 

 

 

Family Involvement

Quality programs work closely with parents to ensure that they are kept informed about their child’s development, and that they offer family members various opportunities to observe and participate in activities.

 

 

Caregiver Education and Turnover 

The level of education and continuing professional development a child care provider has is an important indicator of quality. In addition, low staff turnover provides consistency of care for the children.

 

 

Accreditation

Accredited child care programs must comply with national quality standards. For additional information, find out if the program has any of the following accreditations and then click on the appropriate link below.

 

• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

• National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)

• Council on Accreditation (COA)

• The Association for Early Learning Leaders, formally know as National Association of Child Care Professionals (NACCP)

• National Early Childhood Accreditation Program (NECPA)

 

 

Questions to Ask

 

How many children are cared for, and are they always supervised?

 

Have all providers completed a background check?

 

How often is the program inspected?

 

Are staff trained to care for children?

 

Does the staff participate in ongoing training?

 

Does the staff know first aid and CPR?

 

What is a typical day like?

 

What fun, age-appropriate activities are offered?

 

Is playground equipment inspected for safety regularly?

 

Is there an emergency plan?

 

 

Download checklists for quality care in English and Spanish: