High Quality Programs

The quality of the child care provider you choose is going to be based on many factors. Here are some things to consider when choosing a program for your child:

What do you value most when it comes to the care and education of your child?

It might be important to you that your child care provider shares a culture or language with you and your family. You may want a small group environment so your child gets more individualized attention. You may prefer a larger group so your child can develop their social skills. Whatever you decide is most important to you will help determine the best setting for your child. Take a look at the list of child care settings to see what might fit best for your family's needs.

Does the program environment feel clean, safe and up to your standards as a parent?

Before selecting a child care provider, consider taking a tour of the center or family child care home to meet the provider and see what their space is like. Feel free to ask what measures they have in place to ensure the health and safety of the children in their care. Licensed programs must follow health and safety guidelines and programs should be able to share their policies and practices with you.

Is the program accredited by reputable organizations (like NAEYC or NAFCC) and licensed by the appropriate authorities?

While there are many unaccredited programs that offer high quality care, accreditation ensures that the program meets specific quality standards and adheres to best practices in early childhood education. Licenses ensure the facility is following state laws around child care. With the State of Connecticut’s 2-1-1 Childcare lookup tool, you can find child care providers and see whether their licenses are up to date, their history of state inspections, and their history (if any) of complaints or legal violations.

Does the program employ experienced educators who are trained in early childhood development?

Children learn best when they have the opportunity to create deep and trusting relationships with the adults who care for them. Look for a program with a consistent teaching staff who have a genuine passion for working with young children and possess the skills to support their learning and development. Some programs will also make clear that they offer their staff professional development or other continuing education opportunities to keep teachers up to date on the latest best practices.

For more details about child care setting visit the 'Types of Care' page here.