1. Understand factors to consider when selecting child care programs.
PCD
2.01
Understand factors to consider when selecting child care programs.

2. Factors that influence child care selections
Ask yourself these questions…put answers on your paper.
When you are looking for a place for your children to stay during the day while you are working…

3. Ask yourself the What? When? Where? Why? How?
Create your own list of questions to think about or ask when deciding what is best for your child

4. Does your list include any of the following?
Cost of child care
Location of facility
Equipment and supplies
Discipline methods used
Program activities of child care center
Hours of operation

5. Con’t. Adult-child ratios Personal qualities of the caregivers
Cleanliness of child care center
Training and education of staff

6. Con’t. Nutrition program Transportation provided
Health Department rating
Star rating
1*, 2*, 3*, 4*, 5 *

7. Now ask yourself?
Do you want your children to stay in the BEST place that’s a VERY highly qualified child care center OR
Do you want to settle for a mediocre (average, second-rate) place just because its cheap!!??

8. PCD Objective 2.01 CHILD CARE PROGRAM COMPARISON

9. Advantages & Disadvantages of Child Care

10. Two TYPES OF CHILD CARE:
Home-Based Care
In-home care from a caregiver who come to their home
Center-Based Care
Several adults care for one or more groups of children they accept

11. CHILD CARE CENTERS DESCRIPTION
Primary purpose to provide safe environment for children
parents are full-time employees.
13 or more children ages 4 weeks to 13 years
License required by state
Informal play or emphasis on the whole child

12. CHILD CARE CENTERS ADVANTAGES: DISADVANTAGES: LOCAL PROGRAMS:
Cares for basic needs of child, they have concern for the child only
DISADVANTAGES:
May be crowded and commercialized. Ratios high
LOCAL PROGRAMS:
Mother Earth, Little Dolphins,

13. Preschool DESCRIPTION Primary purpose is provide educational services
3 to 5 years
Usually scheduled for 2½ hours in the morning or afternoon
Informal play or emphasis on the whole child:

14. Preschool ADVANTAGES: DISADVANTAGES: LOCAL PROGRAMS:
Provide extra stimulation and experiences and social skills prior to school
DISADVANTAGES:
Inconvenient for working parents
LOCAL PROGRAMS:
Sometimes managed by religious organizations or owned by private organizations.

15. FAMILY DAY CARE DESCRIPTION ADVANTAGES
Child care within a family residence
Provides care for 4 or more children but no more than 6, except for school age.
ADVANTAGES
Homelike, low ratios (1-7 including own children)

16. FAMILY CHILD CARE DISADVANTAGES LOCAL PROGRAMS: Many homes
Not structured
Difficult to enforce licensing and credentials of caregiver.
LOCAL PROGRAMS: Many homes

17. HEAD START DESCRIPTION
Federal child care program that helps children from low-income families enter kindergarten at a higher level.

18. HEAD START ADVANTAGES: DISADVANTAGES:
Meals, shots, health care, professional staff, gov. funded, transportation, counseling provided.
Activities focus on building self-esteem and helping children and families work together to solve problems.
Programs have a strong educational component.
DISADVANTAGES:
Children may have emotional problems

19. MONTESSORI SCHOOLS DESCRIPTION ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES LOCAL PROGRAMS
Learn by doing and on their own by playing with Montessori toys
Use concrete objects and 5 senses
ADVANTAGES
Skill-based, teaches self motivation and basic life skills
DISADVANTAGES
Low teacher interaction, high noise
LOCAL PROGRAMS

20. UNIVERSTIY SPONSORED/ LABORATORY SCHOOLS
DESCRIPTION
#1 goal is to teach student teachers, not the child
ADVANTAGES
Ratios low, curriculum checked by a professional
DISADVANTAGES
It is a lab to train students, not teach the child

21. EMPLOYER SPONSORED CHILD CARE
DESCRIPTION
Parents can work near child and drop in during the day
ADVANTAGES
Promotes families, sick child care provided, parent has less sick days
DISADVANTAGES
Child has a longer drive

22. NANNY/AU-PAIR DESCRIPTION ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
A nanny provides care in a child’s home.
An au pair is a person from a foreign country who lives with a family and performs task similar to a nanny.
ADVANTAGES
Great demand for services
DISADVANTAGES
Cost

23. Smart Start North Carolina's early childhood initiative
designed to ensure that young children enter school healthy and ready to succeed.
A public-private initiative

24. Funds administered at local level through local organizations called Partnerships.
The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. (NCPC) - provides oversight and technical assistance for local partnerships.
Services at the local level range depending on local needs.

25. ADVANTAGES DISAVANTAGES Improves the quality of child care
Make child care more affordable and accessible
Provide access to health services and offer family support
DISAVANTAGES
Limited Enrollment