Selecting & Evaluating Quality Child Care

Emory WorkLife Resource Center

Presented By

Audrey AdelsonDependent Care Program Specialist

&Mary Brown

President, BrownRichards & Associates

Today’s Presenters

Audrey AdelsonDependent Care Program Specialist

• BS and MSW from Florida State University

• Worklife & dependent care programming for Emory

• Professional background in mental health, management development, worklife & employee assistance consulting and training

• Has worked in both clinical and corporate settings helping people improve worklife balance and productivity

• Clients have included Fortune 500 and Professional Athletic Associations

• Parent

Mary BrownBrown Richards & Associates

• Founder & President of Brown Richards & Associates (1971)

• Educated at St. Josephs College & Boston College School of Social Work

• Professional background in mental health, child & elder care.

• Worklife clients include Emory, Harvard, CHOA, Alston & Bird, King & Spalding

• Participation in almost all of the corporate sponsored child care centers in Atlanta including The Clifton Schools

• Recently - FIO 360• Member of NAEYC• Parent

Objectives

1. Discuss the different types of child care and assist you in deciding which options work best for you

2. Educate you on the essentials of quality child care

3. Offer suggestions on what to do when you cannot find availability

4. Acquaint you with resources and programs available to help Emory employees with issues of child care

Steps in Choosing Quality Childcare

Start early

Do your homework

Make your decision

Stay involved

Back-up plan

The Child Care Trilemma

Bright HorizonsFamily Solutions

Educate Yourself:Types of Child Care

• In-Home Caregivers (Au Pair or Nanny)• Family Day Care Providers• Child Care Centers• Family or Friend• Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K)• Parents Morning Out (PMO)• Before & After-School Care• Back-Up / Drop-In Care• Babysitting

Average Costs in Metro AtlantaDollars Per Week

203190 183 173

152135 135 135

0

50

100

150

200

250

Infant Toddler 1 Toddler 2 Pre-School

CCC

FDCP

CCC = Child Care CentersFDCP = Family Day Care Providers

Infant: 6 weeks – 12 monthsToddler 1: 12 - 24 monthsToddler 2: 24 - 36 monthsPre-School : 3 - 5 years

Finding In-Home Caregivers

Using an Agency

Allow TimeState Licensed

Fees & ServicesEmployeeScreeningRecruitingGuarantee

Taxes

Doing it Yourself

Allow TimeAdvertise

Phone/Email ScreenInterview

ReferencesBackground Check

Your Comp PlanClear Expectations

Performance ReviewTaxes

Family Day Care Providers

• Registered by the state (often less stringent)• Smaller groups of children (3-6) in caregiver home• More flexible than center care• Policies are set by caregiver• Usually only one caregiver• More 1 to 1 time• Often mixed age groups• Discuss back-up plan

Child Care Centers

• Licensed by state (minimum)• Larger number of children (19+)• Structured environment & curriculum• Supervision• Many caregivers• Variety of daily activities & experiences• Socialization• Less 1 to 1 time• Decreased flexibility

Key Indicators of Quality Center Care

1. Low Staff : Child Ratios

2. Small Group Size

3. Ongoing Training of Staff

Essentials: Center Director

• Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of employment & compliance laws, child development, developing policies & procedures, & curriculum

• Well organized• Good management skills• Excellent leadership abilities & communication skills• Involves parents & community• Open, honest, flexible & creative• Warm and empathetic• Loves children with patient and firm demeanor

Essentials: Staff

• GBI fingerprints & background check

• Education levels and background vary

• Genuine love of children

• Good written & verbal communication skills

• Turnover (national average is 40-60%)

• Respect for children, parents and each other

Child Care Center Teacher : Child Ratios

Age of Children Staff: Child RatioMaximum Group

Size

Infants less than 1 year old 1 to 6 12or Children under 18 months not

walking 1 to 6 121 year and walking 1 to 8 16

2 years 1 to 10 203 years 1 to 15 304 years 1 to 18 365 years 1 to 20 40

6 years and older 1 to 25 50

Bright from the StartState of Georgia Requirements

Essentials: Center Safety

Safety Policies & ProceduresEmergency Planning

Medication & Sick PoliciesSecurity

Behavioral IssuesSpecial Needs

Essentials: Center Staff Training

Employee orientation

Ongoing staff meetings

Policies & Procedures

Well defined assigned duties and

responsibilities

Reportable events: abuse, neglect,

deprivation, communicable

diseases

Emergency planning & drills

Childhood injury control

An additional minimum of 10

hours of training in first year on various

child care topics

Essentials: Center Environment

Play AreasNap Time Eating SpaceCleanlinessToysClassroom Organization

Learning Experience

Curriculum Learning Centers

Indoor & Outdoor Play

Areas

Child & Teacher Directed

Materials & Supplies Enrichment

Communication

Director : Staff Staff : Parents Parents: Director

Parent Involvement

Parent Council or Association

Parent – Teacher Meetings Parent Volunteers

Board of Directors Room Parents Social Activities

Support of each other and the

center

Bright from the Start

• Administers Georgia’s Pre-K Program• Licensing and monitoring center-based and home-based

child care facilities• Centers of Distinction & Center of Recognition• Homes of Quality Program• Oversees federal child food program• Implements Standards of Care and Family Homes of

Quality • Head Start Collaboration Office• Funding and partnering with local level R&R for child care

Contact 404.657.5562 or 888.442.7735http://www.decal.state.ga.us/

Accreditation

NationalAssociation for the

Education of Young Children

NAEYC

National Early Childhood Program

AccreditationNECPA

National Association for

Family Child CareNAFCC

No Vacancies – Now What?

• Waiting lists• Go back to the child care referral directory• Consider alternative providers• Consider alternative work routes• Networking options• Temporary plan• Creativity• Consider alternative work arrangements

Your Role as a Parent

• Evaluation should be ongoing• Build a relationship with your provider• Communicate positive and negative feedback• Be respectful of all child care providers• Suggest solutions to problems• Take action immediately when safety is an issue

Financial Resources to Help Pay for Child Care Expenses

State child care subsidy

DiscountsScholarships

Employer/college assistance

Pre-K programs Head Start/Early Head Start Tax credits

Flexible spending accounts

Military child care assistance

Resources & Referrals for Emory Employees and Dependents

• Work-Life Resource Center • Emory Benefit Department• Dependent Care Resource & Referral (Brown Richards)• FSAP• Bright from the Start• NAEYC & NAFCC• Head Start• Georgia Pre-K• Operation Military Child Care (OMCC)• Internal Revenue Service (Tax Credits)• Easter Seals

Your Decision

Cost

Location

Accreditation

CurriculumRatios

Director & Staff

Facility

Weighing your Decision