Selecting & Evaluating Quality Child Care

1. Selecting & Evaluating Quality Child Care Emory WorkLife Resource Center Presented By Audrey Adelson Dependent Care Program Specialist & Mary Brown President, BrownRichards & Associates

2. Today’s Presenters Audrey Adelson Dependent Care Program Specialist Mary Brown Brown 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 • 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

3. Objectives • Discuss the different types of child care and assist you in deciding which options work best for you • Educate you on the essentials of quality child care • Offer suggestions on what to do when you cannot find availability • Acquaint you with resources and programs available to help Emory employees with issues of child care

4. Steps in Choosing Quality Childcare

5. The Child Care Trilemma Bright Horizons Family Solutions

6. 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

7. Average Costs in Metro AtlantaDollars Per Week CCC = Child Care Centers FDCP = Family Day Care Providers Infant: 6 weeks – 12 months Toddler 1: 12 - 24 months Toddler 2: 24 - 36 months Pre-School : 3 - 5 years

8. Finding In-Home Caregivers Using an Agency Doing it Yourself Allow Time Advertise Phone/Email Screen Interview References Background Check Your Comp Plan Clear Expectations Performance Review Taxes Allow Time State Licensed Fees & Services Employee Screening Recruiting Guarantee Taxes

9. 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

10. 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

11. Key Indicators of Quality Center Care • Low Staff : Child Ratios • Small Group Size • Ongoing Training of Staff

12. 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

13. 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

14. Child Care Center Teacher : Child Ratios Bright from the Start State of Georgia Requirements

15. Essentials: Center Safety Safety Policies & Procedures Emergency Planning Medication & Sick Policies Security Behavioral Issues Special Needs

16. Essentials: Center Staff Training

17. Play Areas Nap Time Eating Space Cleanliness Toys Classroom Organization Essentials: Center Environment

18. Learning Experience

19. Communication

20. Parent Involvement

21. 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 888.442.7735 http://www.decal.state.ga.us/

22. Accreditation

23. 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

24. 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

25. Financial Resources to Help Pay for Child Care Expenses

26. 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

27. Weighing your Decision