1. Choosing a Daycare Tips for new parents

2. Daycare Centers who have agreements with Irving ISD Child’s Choice, 545 Iris Drive Shady Grove Learning Center, 3200 Shady Grove Road Visions Learning Center, 201 S. Rogers Stepping Stone Dev. Center, 623 E. Second Street Home Sweet Home, 919 Redbird Road King’s Kid Academy, 3511 N. Country Club Kid’s Palace, 1001 Metker Irving Children’s Academy, 1906 Story Road Kid Quarters, 1502 E. Grauwyler

3. Visiting Day Care Centers Look & compare at least 3 centers on the list Checklist: What to look for: 1.License on the wall 2.Do the babies look happy? 3.Do the caregivers look as though they enjoy their work? 4.Do the babies have a quiet sleeping area? 5.Is there enough space for babies to crawl around? 6.Are the toys & equipment clean & well maintained? 7.Is the building clean & well lit? 8.Does the center small clean? 9.What about the changing area? 10.Is the trash can lined with a plastic liner & does it have a lid? 11.Is the changing table clean?

4. Other things to look for: Is there a sink in the room for easy washing of the hands? Is the outside play area for babies free of rocks & hard surfaces? Does the center have a flyer or brochure describing the center? May parents come for regular conferences or drop in? Have the staff been trained in first aid & emergency procedures?

5. When visiting the center: Identify yourself as a teen parent seeking day care for your child. Speak with the director or owner of the center. Tell them you have applied for day care assistance through the Irving ISD TAPPS program. Talk with the caregivers in the room where your child would stay if you selected that center. Ask questions with regard to hours of the center. Ask the director for a tour. Look at the center, checking for cleanliness, how children are cared for, arrangement of the rooms, etc. Ask the director if their day care center meets the state ratio for caregiver to children..

6. State ratio for caregiver to children: 6 wks1 caregiver to 4 infants 9 months1 caregiver to 4 infants 18 months1 caregiver to 9 children 27 months1 caregiver to 13 children 3 years of age1 caregiver to 17 children 4 years of age1 caregiver to 20 children

7. List 3 centers you visited Which center did you like the best? Why? Which center did you like the least? Why?

8. Once you make your decision on the day care center: Pick up an enrollment packet from that center Complete & return packet to the center either before or on the first day your child attends daycare Make sure your daycare paperwork is returned to your PRS Coordinator PRS Coordinator must contact the day care director and give approval before your day care services may begin

9. Remember: ALL DAY CARE CENTERS ON THE LIST ARE GOOD CENTERS. ONE CENTER WILL NOT BE RECOMMENDED OVER ANOTHER. DAY CARE CENTERS NOT ON THE APPROVED LIST OF PROVIDERS WILL NOT BE UTILIZED.