Objective 2.01 Understand how to select child care.

Factors that influence child care selections  Cost of child care  Location of facility  Equipment and supplies  Discipline methods used  Program activities of child care center  Hours of operation  Adult-child ratios

 Personal qualities of the caregivers  Cleanliness  Training and education of staff  Nutrition program  Transportation provided  Health Department rating  Star rating

CATEGORIES OF CHILD CARE: Center-Based Care Home-Based Care

CHILD CARE CENTERS ADVANTAGES: Cares for basic needs of child Focused only on the children DISADVANTAGES: May be crowded Planned for children whose parents work full-time employees. Provides a safe environment Focuses on all areas of development

Preschool ADVANTAGES: Provide extra stimulation, experiences and social skills prior to school DISADVANTAGE Inconvenient if parents work or do not have transportation Provides educational service Usually 2½ hours in the morning or afternoon Focuses on all areas of learning

FAMILY CHILD CARE ADVANTAGES: Homelike DISADVANTAGES: Not structured Child may not be the first priority Caregiver may not be trained or licensed Child care within a family residence for 4 or more children

HEAD START Federal child care program that helps children from low-income families enter kindergarten at a higher level. ADVANTAGES: Meals, shots, health care, professional staff, transportation, counseling provided. Activities focus on building self-esteem and helping children and families work together to solve problems. Has a strong educational component. DISADVANTAGES: Children may have emotional problems and other risk factors

MONTESSORI SCHOOLS Children learn by doing and on their own by playing with Montessori toys. Use concrete objects and 5 senses ADVANTAGES: Teaches self motivation and basic life skills DISADVANTAGE Low teacher interaction High noise

UNIVERSTIY SPONSORED/ LABORATORY SCHOOLS Main goal is to train student teachers ADVANTAGES: Ratios low curriculum professionally checked DISADVANTAGES: Not in all communities May be more focused on the adult learners than the child

EMPLOYER SPONSORED CHILD CARE Parents can work near child and drop in during the day ADVANTAGES: Promotes families Sick child care provided so parent has less sick days DISADVANTAGES: Child may have a longer drive

Smart Start NC's nationally recognized program Ensures young children enter school healthy and ready to succeed Funds come from government and private sources ADVANTAGES improves the quality of child care more affordable provides access to health services offers family support DISAVANTAGES: Limited enrollment

NANNY or AU-PAIR An individual provides care in the child’s home. An au pair is a person from a foreign country who lives with a family ADVANTAGES: Great demand for services DISADVANTAGES : Cost