Bona Vista's Child Care Solutions

It's an important decision; start early to search for your kindergartner's child care needs.

Yes, it’s that time of year again. Kindergarten round-up. This is an exciting time for both children and parents. To ensure that this time is more exciting and less stressful, the child care needs of your kindergartner should begin now to ensure a great experience for you and your child. Finding the right child care option for your family can take time and there are many factors to consider.

You need to think about what type of child care you want for your child. Your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (CCR&R) has trained and knowledgeable staff that can educate you about what child care options are available and what will work for your family. A child care referral specialist can offer you a free and confidential, customized child care referral. A child care referral specialist can help match you with your specific criteria; such as, school district, before and after school time of care needed, transportation requirements, financial needs, etc. In addition, a child care referral specialist will go over in detail the different types of regulated child care and their licensing regulations and/or requirements, as well as other helpful information and resources.

Visit and interview different kinds of child care programs to see what type of child care makes you and your child the most comfortable. Your child deserves to be cared for by people who enjoy, respect, and understand them. But, since it's unlikely that you'll be able to spend a lot of time interviewing each staff member, how can you tell? Here are a few tips. Talk to the parents of children who attend and ask: How do their children feel about the staff? Do they enjoy them? Do the children feel that the staff is patient, fair, and fun? How do they, as parents, feel? Does the staff make it a point to talk with the parents on a regular basis and encourage parent involvement? Or, do they hear from the staff only when there's a problem? Ask the director of child care facilities or owner of the child care home about the staffs’ background: What kind of experience do they have; child development, education, and/or training? Have they worked with children before? Does the child care program sponsor training for staff or does the owner of the child care home participate in ongoing training? If so, what topics are included? Have all staff members undergone a background check (criminal records, drug testing, Tuberculosis testing, CPR and First Aid, etc.)? Is the staff sensitive to racial, ethnic, religious, and gender differences? Do staff members appreciate all cultures and abilities and welcome all children equally? Ask the director or owner of the child care home about his/her background, as well. The director or owner of the child care home sets the tone for the whole child care program. He or she should be well qualified, sensitive, and experienced. A child care referral specialist can share other high-quality indicators for parents to look for when visiting child care programs; such as, health and safety, activities and curriculum, child to adult ratios, staff turnover, accreditation, Paths to QUALITY™, and much more.

Your child deserves a rich learning environment before and after school which will provide an extension and support to school education. Child Care Solutions, your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (CCR&R), is available to link you to local resources that can help you find a high quality child care program that best fits the needs of your family. Remember, it’s never too early to search for and secure your child care needs. Please allow Child Care Solutions to serve you. You may contact Child Care Solutions Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at 765-452-8870 or toll free 800-493-3231.

Written by: Starr Burton, Referral Specialist for Child Care Solutions

Child Care Solutions is another quality service provided by Bona Vista Programs, Inc.