Steps to Finding Child Care
A child may spend over 10,000 hours of his/her preschool years in a child care program. A good child care choice can make those hours rewarding, fun and safe for your child, and give you the security of knowing that your child is in a place where the potential for growth and development is greatest.
Whether you are looking for a child care center, preschool, family child care home or school-age site, here are steps that we suggest you follow when selecting child care:
- Begin as early as possible. Call CCSA early in your search. Many programs enroll months ahead or have long waiting lists.
- You can reach Child Care Services Association by calling one of the above numbers, or by clicking the email link above.
- Decide what is important for you and your child. Make a list of what you want to know about a program.
- Visit a minimum of three child care programs and spend at least an hour at each site that you are considering. Ask your questions and use the child care checklist on this web site. Observe all areas where the children are cared for, including outdoor areas. Look for danger signals that can alert you to problems. Listen to how the family child care provider, director or teachers are interacting with the children.
- Get references from others with children enrolled in the child care program.
- Review the compliance history of each program that you are considering. You can do this by visiting the web site of the N.C. Division of Child Development,
the agency regulating child care: http://ncchildcaresearch.dhhs.state.nc.us/search.asp
- The work of parents in ensuring a quality child care experience does not stop once a selection has been made. Once you have made your decision, become an involved parent. Volunteer at the program when you can. Drop in and visit your child at various times of the day. All high quality child care programs welcome and need supportive parents. Parents can also serve as advocates for their own child and other children by monitoring their child's child care program.
Client Complaint Policy and Procedures: CCR&R Services
Who should clients talk to if they have a complaint about CCSA staff or referrals? If the complaint is about a CCSA counselor, or information provided by CCSA, the client should ask to speak to the counselor’s supervisor. If the complaint is about the supervisor or the client feels that the supervisor’s response was inadequate, the client should call the director of Family Support.
How should clients express concern about CCSA’s referral policies? Clients concerned with any of CCSA ‘s referral policies should express those concerns in writing to the vice president of CCSA’s Child Care Resource & Referral Division. A written response addressing the concern will be sent to the client within ten business days.
Child Care Services Association does not recommend nor endorse any child care program or provider, and offers information to the community without regard to the age, gender, race, color, religion, national origin, affectional orientation or disability of the service provider or the person seeking information.
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