There are many considerations
when choosing childcare. You’ll want to think about the type
of care that suits your child and your family, cost, location, reputation,
policies and procedures and many other factors.
We’ve prepared a handy checklist
to help you evaluate early care and education program options. Using
this checklist will help you make the best choice for your child.
In addition, here are some general indicators of quality in regulated
childcare environments:
In a high-quality childcare setting, teachers and administrative
staff have education and training in areas such as safety; nutrition;
child physical, intellectual and emotional development; and child
abuse prevention. In addition, in regulated and licensed settings,
caregivers must meet minimum annual training and education requirements.
The minimum annual training and education requirement in Georgia
is 12 hours. This training is readily available from technical colleges,
independent trainers, a local resource and referral agency, training
companies and some government agencies. Previous childcare experience
is also desirable. When visiting a facility, inquire about the amount
and type of training and experience of staff members.
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Children need love, attention and proper supervision. In general,
this is best achieved when caregivers have a small number of children
in their care. Regulated and licensed facilities must limit the
number of children each adult cares for based on the age of the
children.
Georgia licensing regulations for maximum staff-to-child ratios
and group sizes:
| Infants less than one (1) year old or children under eighteen
(18) months who are not walking |
1:6 |
12 |
| One (1) year olds who are walking |
1:8 |
16 |
| Two (2) year olds |
1:10 |
20 |
| Three (3) year olds |
1:15 |
30 |
| Four (4) year olds |
1:18 |
36 |
| Five (5) year olds |
1:20 |
40 |
| Six (6) year olds |
1:25 |
50 |
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
recommends the following staff-to-child ratios and group sizes:
| Infants |
1:4 |
8 |
| One (1) year olds who are walking |
1:5
1:4 |
10
12 |
| Two (2) year olds |
1:6 |
12 |
| Two and one-half (2 1/2) year olds |
1:7 |
14 |
| Three to five (3-5) year olds |
1:10 |
20 |
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The continuity and consistency of long-time staff help children
feel safe and secure. Staff retention is also an indicator of a
positive employment environment. This makes low staff turnover an
important clue to the stability and quality of a childcare provider.
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As children grow, they need different types of activities to help
them develop mentally, physically, emotionally and socially. Quality
childcare provides a variety of programs that stimulate, educate
and support children at each stage of their development. In evaluating
a center, look for these signs of attention to your child’s
development:
- Indoor and outdoor play areas
- Quiet time and active time
- Free play and structured activities
- Ample variety of equipment, toys and books
- Opportunities for expression through music, visual and dramatic
arts
- Happy children
- Pleasant, caring interaction between caregivers and children
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Childcare providers should welcome your active participation in
your child’s day. You have the right to drop in any time to
observe your child’s environment and interactions. You have
the right to ask questions, express concerns and work with the staff
to resolve problems.
Parents also have responsibilities to their childcare providers.
These include following security policies for drop-off and pick-up,
paying tuition on time, keeping caregivers updated on their child’s
health status and reading the materials supplied by the provider.
One of your most important responsibilities is to supply emergency
contacts, health and immunization records and other information
as requested.
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Quality childcare should provide a clean, safe setting. Many aspects
of cleanliness and safety will be readily apparent from the look
and smell of a facility. For instance, rooms, play areas and playgrounds
should be uncluttered and free of barriers and obstructions. Toys
and equipment should be put away. Bathrooms and diapering areas
should be clean and clean-smelling.
Additional signs of a safe, clean, hygienic environment are the
following:
- Proper trash disposal
- Adequate light, ventilation and temperature controls
- Proper medication storage, handling and dispensing
- Staircases have railings
- Equipment and furniture are age-appropriate and free of sharp
edges
- First aid kit and fire extinguisher are available
You can see the specific health and safety standards for Georgia
licensed providers at www2.state.ga.us/Departments/DHR/ORS/.
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