5 STEPS TO CHOOSING QUALITY DAY CARE

The following five steps will help you select the child care program that meets the needs of you and your child:

1. LOOK – Visit the sites and evaluate the following: 

•   Your first impression

•   Does the place look safe?

•   How do staff interact with children?

2. LISTEN – Observe the center and listen for:

•   Do the children sound happy?

•   Do they sound involved?

•   Do staff members sound cheerful and patient?

3. COUNT – The ratio of staff to children may be important to you:

•   How many staff are on hand?

•   How many children are being served?

•   What is the staff to child ratio?

4. ASK – Ask questions that provide you with an understanding about curriculum, staff and quality benchmarks:

•   Ask about staff experience

•   Ask about performance benchmarks

5. BE INFORMED – Inquire about the availability of programs in your area and ask other parents about their experiences.

Helpful web links:

• National Child Care Information Center - http://nccic.org

• Child Care Bureau – www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ccb/relsites/index.htm

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CARE PROGRAM CHECKLIST

You may wish to ask these questions when selecting a care provider:

• Do staff members receive CPR, first aid and care education training?

• Do staff members and children enjoy being together?

• Is the program accredited or required to undergo annual evaluations?

• Is the staff willing to answer questions?

• Is the center’s atmosphere safe and pleasant?

• Is there sufficient space for all children?

• Are there different areas for rest and various activities?

• Are activities age-appropriate?

• Is curriculum balanced to meet your educational and recreational expectations?

• Do you agree with the center’s rules of behavior?

• Do you feel good leaving your child here?

• Is the program licensed or regulated?

Helpful web links:

Head Start Bureau – www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/hsb/

• Center for Disease Control & Prevention – www.cdc.gov

• Child Safety Game Site – www.cpsc.gov/kids/kidsafety/index.html

• Florida KidCare – www.floridakidcare.org

• Food & Drug Administration – www.fda.gov

• National Centers for Missing & Abused Children – www.missingkids.org

• Jimmy Ryce Center for Victims of Predatory Abduction – www.jimmyryce.org

• Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration – www.samhsa.gov

• www.college-scholarships.com

• www.scholarships.com

• www.collegescholarships.com

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• American Association of People with Disabilities – www.aapd.com

• Children & Adults w/ Attention deficit Disorder – www.chadd.org

• ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities & Gifted Education – www.ericec.org

• Learning Disabilities Online – www.ldonline.org

• National Center for Learning Disabilities – www.ncld.org

• Parents Serving Disabled Children – www.taalliance.org/PTIs.htm

Department of Children & Families Eligibility Survey – www5.myflorida.com/cf_web/myflorida2/healthhuman/ess/Prof1.html

Office of Child Support Enforcement – www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cse/

• www.startribune.com/education/homework/shtml

• http://users.erols.com/bram/

• http://homeworkhelp.about.com/mbody.htm

• www.bigchalk.com

• http://learningnetwork.com

• http://myschoolonline.com

South Beach Youth Programs

- arts instruction 
- school-based program 
- academic tutoring
  - sports activities 
  - fee-based program 
- fee reductions available
  - seasonal camps 
  - parent classes available

Helpful web links:

National Institute on Out-of-School Time – www.wellesley.edu/WCW/CRW/SAC/

• A TO Z For Kids Inc. - 1343 Alton Road
• RGL M D/B/A/ Abbott Schools - 1219 71^st Street
• Abbott School and Child Care - 1160 71^st Street
• Abbott School III - 7830 Carlyle Avenue
• Abbott School IV - 2140 Verdun Drive
• Casa Del Bambini- Montessori School - 4025 Pinetree Drive
• Happy Kids Child Care - 7118 Byron Avenue
• Happy Kids Child Care - 2217 Normandy Drive
• Happy Kids Childcare, Too - 1700 Jefferson Avenue
• Le Petite Papillon Montessori School - 7625 Byron Avenue
• Miami Beach Methodist Child Care (St. John's ) - 4760 Pinetree Drive
• Montessori School of Miami Beach - 1440 Kennedy Causeway
• Mt. Sinai Young President's Club - 4300 Alton Road
• Normandy School - 1021 Biarritz rive
• Rainbow Miami Beach - 833 6^th Street
• Raindrop Childcare Center - 1420 Washington Ave
• SiSi Child Care & Pre-School - 1945 Normandy Drive
• St. Patrick's Pre-School - 3716 Garden Avenue
• Temple Beth Shalom - 4144 Chase Avenue

Helpful web links:

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• www.parentingresources.ncjrs.org

• www.tnpc.com

• www.abcparenting.com

• www.parenting.com

• www.parentsoup.com

• www.familyeducation.com

• www.teachmorelovemore.org

• www.ed.gov./holidays/ -  Teaching Children to Read