A child care group can be very helpful in finding a good daycare. This is because they can work directly with child care centers and services to find the best centers in their area. However, it can also be a daunting task for parents to find what they are looking for. Here are some tips for parents who are trying to locate a good child care center:
Types of child care centers include early childhood programs, licensed daycare, infant and toddler programs, early head start/head start, state pre-kindergarten through grade school, and private homeschooling programs. Licensed child care facilities must meet state requirements for safety and health including child to child ratios and specified space per child. They must also provide certified child development specialists (CDS) to instruct and guide children with special needs. CDSs can be staff members or trained volunteers.
Ask potential care providers about their child development specialists and CDSs. Ask each of these quality child care provider types, what types of children they work with, and under what conditions. For instance, do they work with infants and toddlers? The only way to know if a licensed child care provider meets the standards is to ask.
Child Care Group
On average, an infant and toddler program offers up to 25 children during any one day at a licensed child care facility. Special care given to children with special needs may include music lessons, occupational therapy, and art therapies. A high-quality child care group home offers a variety of services to fit the needs of all children.
Are there licensed family child care options in the area? Many parents do not have a choice but to find an acceptable licensed family child care option for their child. The alternative of having no choice but to put your child in the care of someone you may not like is emotionally damaging. Children who have experienced a neglectful or unkind act from an adult can make them afraid to interact with other children.
What types of specific subjects do this licensed family care home provide? State law requires that at least one of the licensed child care providers each have completed at least one year of education in special education. It is also required that each of the providers participate in at least one prescribed training class on a specific subject. This may vary by state. Be sure to check your child’s specific educational requirements before signing a contract with a home child care provider.
A Much Ado
What areas does this licensed child care facility offer? The specific subjects your child will learn at his or her particular educational facility will vary by state, but some of the basic subjects include mathematics and science, physical education, health, and social science. Other subjects that may be offered include art, music, dance, history, foreign language, and more. The number of days that a particular child must participate in a prescribed educational program will vary by state. Check the requirements for your state.
Are the child care group homes affiliated with a religious institution conducting worship? Most child care facilities are not run by religious institutions. However, there are facilities that are run by religious organizations. One example is the Christian child care group homes in Atlanta. The homes are operated by Care USA, which is a network of independent child care facility operators across the United States.
Can students who participate in these programs learn anything that is not taught in public school? Yes, students attending some child care group homes will learn about secular matters such as evolution and creationism, evolution, and other topics that do not fall within the realm of regular public school science. However, they will also learn about the beliefs and opinions of other parents who choose to teach these concepts in public schools.
How are students tested for academic achievement? Some states require that students be tested annually for academic progress. These tests are administered either by the state or by a separate licensed private school engaging in religious services in most states. In order to determine if a student is proficient in subjects such as math, science, reading, English, science, and social studies, the teacher must administer a standardized test based on these subjects. Usually, these tests are taken in classrooms that are located in the homes of some parents who choose to teach these subjects in their homes. However, some non-religious institutions such as those who conduct religious services regularly organized private schools engaging in religious education programs may also administer the test.
Bottom Line
Are there any special accommodations provided by the association? Yes, there are. First, the child care group homes will not provide any government benefits to their participants. The association also does not provide any tax benefits to its participants. If you are considering sending your child to an educational program at one of these facilities, you should check with your local government, in order to determine if there are any public benefits that you would be required to pay for.
