Local Resources Help Guide Parents to Solid Childcare

Of all the things parents have to do, we agonize the most about who to trust to care for our little ones, whether it’s for fulltime daycare while we work, or just for a few hours while we recharge our batteries.

King County Child Care Resources is filled with great tips and resources for finding the right provider for your child. It suggests asking yourself the following questions when interviewing a childcare provider:

“Will my child be safe and content here?”

• Even if a provider is licensed, you should make your own appraisal of the care environment when you visit. Is it clean and are the play areas free of clutter and safety hazards?

“Does the provider appear to take pride in his or her business?”

• Does the provider offer you references, and does the provider seek ongoing training for his or herself and all caregivers in the facility?

“Will this provider be a good fit for my family?”

• It’s important to feel comfortable that your discipline practices and values are in line with those of the caregiver, so your child will have consistency. Does the caregiver communicate regularly with parents about their children’s experience, and show an interest in your family’s values and culture?

 “Do the children seem to be happy and engaged in activities suited to their ages?”

• Imagine your child in the environment, and ask if you can see him or her adjusting well to the number and mix of children and activities there.

“Does the provider interact directly and play with the children attentively?”

• The quality of the caregiver’s interactions with the children is important for the development of the children. Ask yourself if the caregiver is paying positive attention that encourages exploration and learning.

In addition to these questions, the organization suggests calling references, and checking into a provider’s complaint history. For licensed providers, you can check any complaints at Washington State's Department of Early Learning Child Care Check by clicking here.

If you’re interested in starting or joining a babysitting co-op, check out the following websites that host such groups to help parents connect:

- Babysitter Exchange -- A website that connects parents with other parents and establishes fair exchanges of labor connected with babysitting, chauffering and other parental activity.

- HiveMoms.com -- A playdate and babysitting exchange community.

With enough preparation, parents can tap into resources and networks and find reliable care for their children to help them .