6 Tips When You Are Looking for Child Care

1. Visit the childcare program while it is open and children are there.

2. Take time to talk to the caregiver and ask questions. Look around the program to see how things are handled.

3. Make sure the child care program:

• Has enough caregivers for the number of children.
• Takes steps to prevent accidents and has a plan to handle fire or medical emergencies.
• Knows how to help children stay healthy and feeds infants on their own schedule.
• Plans a balance of indoor and outdoor time that is quiet and active.

• Enjoy talking and playing with the children.
• Have experience, education and/or training in caring for children.

5. Consider the cost, location and hours the childcare is open.

6. Talk to parents who use the caregiver and keep looking until you are satisfied with you choice. Want more information? Call the New York Parent's Connection at 1-800-345-KIDS or visit www.ocfs.state.ny.us .

Child Appropriate Environment

(from the Core Guidebook for NYS Child Protective Services Workers)

Kitchen

• Food, treats, and other items attractive to children are not kept over the stove.
• Pot handles are turned to the back of the stove during cooking.
• Hot liquids, e.g. coffee cups are kept out of children's reach.
• Knives and other sharp objects are kept out of children's reach.
• Cleaning supplies are stored beyond children's reach or child safety locks secure low cabinets.
• High chair is stable with a wide base and a tray that locks securely.

Bathroom

• Hot water temperature is set at 100-120 degrees F or lower.
• Medicines and vitamins are stored beyond children's reach.
• When bathing, an adult always supervises children.
• There are working doors on the bathrooms.

Living Room

• Plastic "shock-stop" outlet plugs are in place in all unused electrical outlets.
• Electrical cords are out of the reach of small children.

Bedrooms

• Crib has slats that are 2 and three-eighths inches or less apart.
• The crib mattress fits snuggly- no more that a two-finger gap between mattress and railing.
• The toy chest has a lightweight lid, no lid, or a safe closing hinge.
• Changing table has safety straps to prevent falls.
• There are working doors on the bedrooms.
• The beds have sheets, which are reasonably clean.
• Each member of the family has his or her own bed, or only young children are sleeping together.
• Mobiles and drapery/blind cords are not within the child's reach.

General

• Latches or gates control children's access to garage, basement, and stairs.
• Safety locks or latches are installed on cabinets and drawers that contain any potentially dangerous items, such as, medicines, cleaning supplies, matches, alcohol, etc.
• All plants are kept out of children's reach.
• There are no loose paint chips around the house.
• Cleaners are purchased in child-resistant packaging whenever possible.
• Small items and food that could choke a child are kept out of reach.
• Purses with potentially dangerous items are kept out of reach.

Need help finding childcare?

The Child Care Council of the county in which you live can help. The councils are voluntary, not-for-profit organizations that provide training, resources, and referrals to licenses child care providers. What to start your own child care business, The Child Care Council can assist you with that also.

In Orange County:
Childcare Council of Orange County
40 Matthew Street Suite 103
Goshen, NY 10924
(845) 294-4012 or 1-800-827-1751
www.childcarecounciloc.org

In Sullivan County:
Sullivan County Child Care Council, Inc.
7 Community Ln Po Box 864
Liberty, NY 12745
(845) 292-7166
www.scchildcare.com (website is under construction)

In Ulster County:
Child Care Council of Ulster
(845) 331-5197
www.familyofwoodstockinc.org/childcare.html

For information on toy safety from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County, click here.

For More Information on FREE or LOW COST Health Insurance, Prenatal Care or Breastfeeding Support Call 1-800-453-4666.