Syracuse Parent and CNY Family

Keep up-to-date with news and information from local area school districts.

Choosing child care that fits
Posted on Mon, February 22nd, 2010
Written by: ,
email:

There’s no one-size fits all solution to families’ child care needs. There are many factors to consider when looking for a child care program that works for both children and their parents. Luckily families in CNY have a variety of child care options from which to choose. Here are some things to think about.
Know your child:
Some children thrive in a busy classroom with several teachers and a group of children all in the same age range. Other children are more comfortable with one caregiver and a smaller group of children of different ages. Think about your child’s age, interests and temperament when exploring possible child care settings.
Make a list of your family’s needs:
Do you need a program that is close to home or work or in-between? What hours of care do you need to fit your work schedule and daily commute? If you have more than one child, do you want all your children in the same program? Does your school-age child need transportation between his or her school and after-school program?
Know your options:
Develop a list of potential programs that might be a good fit for you and your child. Start by searching the Child Care Solutions website at childcaresolutionscny.org for a list of child care centers, family child care homes, pre-schools and after-school programs in your area. Child Care Solutions also provides free, personalized referrals to child care programs in Onondaga and Cayuga Counties that match your specific criteria. And be sure to check with family and friends to see what child care programs they use.
Research costs, financial assistance:
Child care costs vary greatly depending on the program, hours and the age of your child. There are also several resources that can assist eligible parents with the cost of child care. These include the Dependent Care Tax Credit, employer Flexible Spending Accounts, county child care subsidies and child care scholarship programs. To learn more, contact Child Care Solutions.
Take time to visit and ask questions:
At Child Care Solutions, we always encourage parents seeking child care for the first time or making a change in their child’s care to visit several programs before making a decision. This is your opportunity to get a feel for each setting and to gather information about the program. When possible, visit at a time when you can observe the adults interacting with the children and see the children at play. Look for a safe environment with good health practices like hand washing. Ask to see the outdoor play space as well as the indoor space and find out what a typical day is like for the children. Ask specific questions about mealtimes, napping, TV and computer time, early literacy activities, and discipline techniques.
For specific information about child care options, financial aid and a checklist of questions for screening child care, contact Child Care Solutions at 446-1220 or 888-729-7290, ext. 303 or ParentHelp@childcaresolutionscny.org.
Peggy Liuzzi, Executive Director, Child Care Solutions

Kaitlyn poses for her babysitter who took this image of her playing outside.