Selecting & Evaluating Quality Child Care Emory WorkLife Resource Center Presented By Audrey Adelson Dependent Care Program Specialist & Mary Brown President, BrownRichards & Associates

Today’s Presenters Audrey Adelson Dependent Care Program Specialist BS and MSW from Florida State University Worklife & dependent care programming for Emory Professional background in mental health, management development, worklife & employee assistance consulting and training Has worked in both clinical and corporate settings helping people improve worklife balance and productivity Clients have included Fortune 500 and Professional Athletic Associations Parent Mary Brown Brown Richards & Associates Founder & President of Brown Richards & Associates (1971) Educated at St. Josephs College & Boston College School of Social Work Professional background in mental health, child & elder care. Worklife clients include Emory, Harvard, CHOA, Alston & Bird, King & Spalding Participation in almost all of the corporate sponsored child care centers in Atlanta including The Clifton Schools Recently - FIO 360 Member of NAEYC Parent

Objectives 1.Discuss the different types of child care and assist you in deciding which options work best for you 2.Educate you on the essentials of quality child care 3.Offer suggestions on what to do when you cannot find availability 4.Acquaint you with resources and programs available to help Emory employees with issues of child care

Steps in Choosing Quality Childcare Start earlyDo your homeworkMake your decisionStay involvedBack-up plan

The Child Care Trilemma Bright Horizons Family Solutions

Educate Yourself: Types of Child Care In-Home Caregivers (Au Pair or Nanny) Family Day Care Providers Child Care Centers Family or Friend Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) Parents Morning Out (PMO) Before & After-School Care Back-Up / Drop-In Care Babysitting

Average Costs in Metro Atlanta Dollars Per Week CCC = Child Care Centers FDCP = Family Day Care Providers Infant: 6 weeks – 12 months Toddler 1: months Toddler 2: months Pre-School: years

Finding In-Home Caregivers Using an Agency Allow Time State Licensed Fees & Services Employee Screening Recruiting Guarantee Taxes Doing it Yourself Allow Time Advertise Phone/ Screen Interview References Background Check Your Comp Plan Clear Expectations Performance Review Taxes

Family Day Care Providers Registered by the state (often less stringent) Smaller groups of children (3-6) in caregiver home More flexible than center care Policies are set by caregiver Usually only one caregiver More 1 to 1 time Often mixed age groups Discuss back-up plan

Child Care Centers Licensed by state (minimum) Larger number of children (19+) Structured environment & curriculum Supervision Many caregivers Variety of daily activities & experiences Socialization Less 1 to 1 time Decreased flexibility

Key Indicators of Quality Center Care 1.Low Staff : Child Ratios 2.Small Group Size 3.Ongoing Training of Staff

Essentials: Center Director Qualifications Strong working knowledge of employment & compliance laws, child development, developing policies & procedures, & curriculum Well organized Good management skills Excellent leadership abilities & communication skills Involves parents & community Open, honest, flexible & creative Warm and empathetic Loves children with patient and firm demeanor

Essentials: Staff GBI fingerprints & background check Education levels and background vary Genuine love of children Good written & verbal communication skills Turnover (national average is 40-60%) Respect for children, parents and each other

Child Care Center Teacher : Child Ratios Age of ChildrenStaff: Child Ratio Maximum Group Size Infants less than 1 year old1 to 612 or Children under 18 months not walking1 to year and walking1 to years1 to years1 to years1 to years1 to years and older1 to 2550 Bright from the Start State of Georgia Requirements

Essentials: Center Safety Safety Policies & Procedures Emergency Planning Medication & Sick Policies Security Behavioral Issues Special Needs

Essentials: Center Staff Training Employee orientation Ongoing staff meetings Policies & Procedures Well defined assigned duties and responsibilities Reportable events: abuse, neglect, deprivation, communicable diseases Emergency planning & drills Childhood injury control An additional minimum of 10 hours of training in first year on various child care topics

Essentials: Center Environment Play Areas Nap Time Eating Space Cleanliness Toys Classroom Organization

Learning Experience Curriculum Learning Centers Indoor & Outdoor Play Areas Child & Teacher Directed Materials & Supplies Enrichment

Communication Director : StaffStaff : ParentsParents: Director

Parent Involvement Parent Council or Association Parent – Teacher Meetings Parent Volunteers Board of DirectorsRoom ParentsSocial Activities Support of each other and the center

Bright from the Start Administers Georgia’s Pre-K Program Licensing and monitoring center-based and home-based child care facilities Centers of Distinction & Center of Recognition Homes of Quality Program Oversees federal child food program Implements Standards of Care and Family Homes of Quality Head Start Collaboration Office Funding and partnering with local level R&R for child care Contact or

Accreditation National Association for the Education of Young Children NAEYC National Early Childhood Program Accreditation NECPA National Association for Family Child Care NAFCC

No Vacancies – Now What? Waiting lists Go back to the child care referral directory Consider alternative providers Consider alternative work routes Networking options Temporary plan Creativity Consider alternative work arrangements

Your Role as a Parent Evaluation should be ongoing Build a relationship with your provider Communicate positive and negative feedback Be respectful of all child care providers Suggest solutions to problems Take action immediately when safety is an issue

Financial Resources to Help Pay for Child Care Expenses State child care subsidy Discounts Scholarships Employer/college assistance Pre-K programs Head Start/Early Head Start Tax credits Flexible spending accounts Military child care assistance

Resources & Referrals for Emory Employees and Dependents Work-Life Resource Center Emory Benefit Department Dependent Care Resource & Referral (Brown Richards) FSAP Bright from the Start NAEYC & NAFCC Head Start Georgia Pre-K Operation Military Child Care (OMCC) Internal Revenue Service (Tax Credits) Easter Seals

Your Decision CostLocationAccreditationCurriculumRatios Director & Staff Facility Weighing your Decision