Parent Resources

Indicators of High-Quality Child Care

Health and Safety

• Is the program licensed by New York State?

• Does the program comply with the appropriate child care provider-to-child ratios?

• Do caregivers and children wash hands before and after meals, diapering, toileting, or contact with bodily fluid?
• Are providers in the program certified and trained to give your child medications?
• Is the environment free from hazards by using outlet covers, wires out of reach, and cleaning fluids and medicines are locked away?
• Are toys, diaper changing areas, and other commonly used materials washed frequently? 

Care Routines

• Are the same providers in the room each day so children can develop relationships and feel secure?
• Do providers respect and accommodate individual sleeping and eating patterns?
• Do providers encourage children to be independent during meals, toileting, and dressing?

Professionalism

• Are providers trained in Infant and Child CPR and First Aid?
• Do providers stay up-to-date with their training and education? How much experience do they have?
• How long have the providers been with the child care program? Does the program have a high turnover rate?
• Do providers seem knowledgeable about the specific needs of children, planning age-appropriate activities based on observations?

Working With Families

• Do providers encourage families to visit whenever possible?
• Do caregivers support and accommodate mothers who want to breastfeed throughout the day?
• Do providers and families communicate on a daily basis by talking about or writing down information at drop off/pick up time?
• Are providers respectful of each family’s language, belief, culture, and parenting beliefs?
• Are providers always available and willing to answer questions?
• Do providers keep information about children and families confidential?

Learning Environments

• Do providers have space for children to play on the floor?
• Do providers have opportunities for children to climb, run, jump, and dance?
• Do providers have a variety of materials for infants and toddlers to touch, look at, listen to, smell, and taste?
• Do providers read and sing with children?
• Do caregivers encourage children to choose who and what they want to play with?
• Are there opportunities for play time outside?

Guide to Child Care