
Feature/General
What are you Looking for in Child Care?
Information provided by Community Connection's
Care Connection
Jan/Feb 2003
When exploring the possibilities
of a Child Care Center, let one of your visits be a visit you make
by yourself. This will give you the opportunity to have a question
/ answer session with the director without being distracted. Once
you are satisfied, arrange to visit the classroom where your child
will be placed and meet the teacher to see a daily schedule and
format of how the day is spent. Inquire about naptime and feeding
schedules. Once you have found a program, arrange for a scheduled
visit that includes your child. This visit should be during a time
your child can interact with other children and teacher. After your
initial visit, make an unannounced, drop-in visit to confirm that
the situation is as described to you in the first initial visit.
A Child Care Center is licensed in Georgia to care for more than
18 children; however, they must meet the standards of fire, health,
safety, and sanitation. There are also regulations about the amount
of space and number of teacher to children. Licensing workers visit
them three times a year or when a complaint has been made about
the center.
Types of Child Care

Remember that although separation can be very difficult
for you and your child, most caregivers have lots of experience
in easing the transition. Your child may take several weeks
to grow comfortable with this new setting. During this period,
be sure to discuss the changes with your child, and address
any concerns with the caregiver right away. Always remind
the child, I say Good-bye in the morning,
and Hello again in the afternoon.
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Family Group Homes
Group homes have a capacity of 7 to 18 children, and are
licensed and visited under the state guidelines, similar to centers.
Family Home Child Care
Family Home Child Care caregivers can keep two children in their
home without being licensed; however, homes that keep three but
no more than six children must be registered with the state-licensing
program.
In-Home Care Providers (Nannies)
These providers care for children in the childs home and are
privately employed by the parent. In-home caregivers, and the agencies
that place them, are not regulated in the State of Georgia.
Preschool, Mothers Morning Out, and
Play Groups
These are social/educational programs that last less than four hours
a day. They can often be combined for a creative child care plan.
Such programs are not regulated in the State of Georgia.
Questions to ask
How do you feel? Use the following questions to help you evaluate
which child care center is right for you.
Follow your instinct
1. Do you feel comfortable in the home or center?
2. Are the child(ren) both enjoying himself / herself?
Child / Provider Ratio
1. Is the group within the limits set by the Department of Human
Resources?
2. Does the provider have additional help?
3. Do you think your child will feel comfortably with the other
children?
Provider
1. Do you like the provider on a personal level? (Director, Staff)
2. Is the staff warm and caring with the children?
3. Does the provider seem at ease with the children in her care?
4. Do you feel comfortable with the way the provider handles:
a. Discipline
b. Toileting / Diapering
c. A hurt or unhappy child?
5. Does the caregiver pay attention to and respond to the emotional
and physical needs of each child?
6. Does the provider attend training courses or belong to a family
child care association?
Program
1. Is the level of activity suitable for your child?
2. Does the schedule include active and quiet play, rest time, outdoor
play?
3. Does a child have a choice about participating in a certain activities?
4. Are there sufficient and appropriate toys and equipment for a
variety of play?
5. Are field trips a part of the program?
6. Does the provider take children out when she runs errands?
7. Is the providers transportation safe?
Meals
1. What meals are served?
2. Are you comfortable with the nutritional value and variety of
the menu?
3. Is a child expected to clean his plate?
4. Are second portions allowed?
5. Is food used to reward or punish?
6. Is the food handling procedures safe and sanitary?
7. Is mealtime happy and pleasant?
8. Is the provider a member of a Child Care Food Program, which
set of standards for meals served and reimburses the provider for
the cost of the meals.
Environment
1. Is the environment clean?
2. How is the security?
3. Are all vents / fireplaces screened off?
4. Are unused electric outlets capped?
5. Does the provider have: Fire Extinguisher; Smoke detector; First
aid kit; Fire plan posted; Rules and regulations posted; Hand-washing
chart posted by sink; Sign in / out chart easily assessable?
Outside Play
1. If there is not a yard, does the provider have a nearby outside
area to take the children to play?
2. Are the outside toys compatible with the childs (rens)
age?
3. Is the playground and surrounding area kept clean and free of
debris?
4. How often are the toys cleaned?
Questions for Infant Caregivers
1. Is there a single feeding schedule for all the infants, or is
this flexible?
2. Are there scheduled diaper changes, in addition to needed changes?
3. What does the provider think a baby needs from a caregiver at
this age?
Toddlers
1. How does the caregiver handle stubbornness from a child?
2. What activities does the child (ren) enjoy?
3. How is toilet training introduced, and at what age?
4. How does the provider feel about the bottle? Pacifier? Security
blankets?
Three to Four Year Olds
1. What skills should a child of this age be developing?
2. What role does reading have in the program?
3. How is discipline handled, when a child has misbehaved?
School-age
1. What games and activities are available?
2. Is a snack provided or expected from the parent?
3. Is homework time permitted?
4. Is tutoring available?
Georgia teacher-to-student
ratios:
For children < 1(or 18 months
if not walking): 1 (staff) to 6 (children);
1 year old and walking: 1 to 8
2 years old: 1 to 10
3 years old: 1 to 10
4 years old: 1 to 18
5 years old: 1 to 20
6 years old: 1 to 25
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Clarke County Childcare Centers
Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (CCRRA) of NEGA at Athens
is a free telephone referral service for parents looking for child
care in Northeast Georgia. CCRRA of NEGA is a central source of
information about child care in our twelve-county area. We are available
to describe the different types of child care that is available
for children and make the most appropriate referrals. For a list
of childcare centers for other counties, contact CCRRA
To obtain an updated list or a list of childcare
centers for another county, please contact:
Child Care Resource and Referral Agency of Northeast Georgia
at Athens at 2-1-1 or
706-353-1313 or
800-924-5085
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Athens Christian
706-549-7586
Athens Montessori
706-549-8490
Broad Acres Day Care
706-549-6913
Building Blocks # 2
706-316-0562
Building Blocks Child Development
706-354-0878
Champions for Children
www.champsforchildren.com
Child Care Network, Inc.
706-543-1104
Cornerstone Preschool
706-549-0019
Crocketts Cradle
706-369-8879
Harvest Learning Center
706-742-2425
Head Start Athens-Clarke
706-548-2091
Head Start Main Office
706-546-8330
Jack and Jills Day Care
706-543-4959
Katherines Kiddie Kampus
706-353-0039
Kids & Company Learning
Center
706-354-1351
Lifespan Center
706-355-8471
Little Ones Academy
706-354-0636
Little Ones Academy East
706-354-4442
Loving Kids Child Care Center
706-543-9204
Magic Years of Learning
706-548-5503
McPhaul Center
706-542-4921
McPhaul Head Start
706-542-4929
Navy Supply Corps
706-543-9113
New Freedom Talent
Development Christian Academy
706-369-0831
Parkview Playschool
706-549-6646
Peter Pan Child Development Center
706-543-9750
Preschool Academy
706-353-8183
Quality Day Care and Learning Center
706-742-5265
Rainbow Christian Daycare
706-227-3933
Rocksprings Infant Center
706-548-1000
Southeastern Early Education
706-353-2273
Timothy Christian
706-543-6900
Tiny Tot Learning Center
706-543-6479
Trinity Lutheran Preschool
706-546-8081
Waseca Early Learning Environment
706-546-8833
Young World
706-354-7885
Remember that Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (CCRRA) of
NEGA does not evaluate or recommend these or other child care providers.
We are able to discuss how to choose good child care with you, but
the best choice for your child will be an individual decision that
should reflect your own values and expectations and meet your childs
personal and developmental needs.

Begin the New Child Care Plan
Once
you have selected a good arrangement, it is important to prepare
yourself and your child to begin the new child care plan.
Some things that may make the transition go smoother for you
and your child are:
- Make sure you understand the providers
policies and procedures. Ask for your own copy, if not provided
in a parent handbook.
- Make sure the caregiver has a contact
number for you at all time, and you have provided a list
of people authorized to pick up your child.
- Be sure to sign all forms and provide
the necessary paper work, including: Emergency contact name
and number; Medical treatment information; Current immunization
record.

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Parents Rights
Did you know?
- You have the right to see and record the providers licensing
registration number and to check for investigations or complaints
against the establishment.
- You have the right to inquire about any person working in the
center. Georgia law requires any child care workers over the age
of eighteen to submit to a background investigation.
- Parents have the right to enter all parts of the center or home
when the child is in attendance. Day Care centers and Group Homes
are required to be licensed. Family Home Child Care providers
keeping more than two children must be registered in the State
of Georgia.
If you would like a list of providers in your area, please call
Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (CCRRA) in Athens. You have
the right to file a complaint against the caregiver for any dissatisfaction
you may feel.
- Georgia Department of Human Resource Licensing Unit 404-657-5562
- Child Care Resource and Referral Agency
of Northeast Georgia at Athens at 2-1-1;
706-353-1313; or 800-924-5085.
Complaints can be anonymous. Its up to the parent to know
their rights! Our services are free to parents and child care providers.
Choosing Quality Care for Children with Special
Needs
Questions a parent can and should ask:
- Is the staff well trained in areas of typical development?
- Does the program staff believe that all children learn if individual
needs are considered and adaptations are made to meet those needs?
- Has the staff been trained to work with young children with
special needs?
- Is the staff open to receiving training to care for the specific
needs of your child if necessary?
- Has the staff been trained to help children develop desirable
behaviors (cooperation, self-esteem, thinking skills) and decrease
undesirable behaviors (disruptiveness, distractibility)?
- Does the program curriculum contain strategies to facilitate
adjustments between children with special needs and typically
developing children?
- If the child uses assistive technology devices or a wheelchair,
does the setting/space accommodate the use of these?
- Does the setting have an established behavior management program
that focuses on positive behaviors?
- If necessary, is the program open to allowing therapists to
visit and work with the staff and child during the day schedule?
- Is the staff willing to be part of the IEP/IFSP team and implement
goals and objectives throughout the child's play?
Adapted from: "The Role of Child Care Professionals in Placement
and Programming Decisions," pp. 76-78, July 1994, Young Children.
Information for this article was provided by Community Connection's
Care Connection
Child Care Resource and Referral Agency of Northeast
Georgia at Athens at 2-1-1 or
706-353-1313 or 800-924-5085
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