Secrets to finding great child-care

To help you assess a family-based or larger day-care center, make sure it meets these criteria:

Checklist for Quality Day Care
It's licensed by your state, which sets minimum standards for health, safety and caregiver training and may do yearly inspections.
It's accredited, meeting certain established standards. (Accreditation may be hard to find in some areas.)
There's enough staff to manage the children.
Optimal staff-child ratios for family-based care, no lower than:
1:3 for ages infant to 3
1:6 for ages infant to 5

Optimal staff-child ratios for day-care centers, no lower than:
1:4 for infants
1:5 for ages 1 to 2
1:7 for ages 2 to 3
1:10 for ages 3 to 5
1:15 for over age 5

The facility is bright, clean and welcoming with age-appropriate toys and equipment well organized into quiet and active play areas. There are strict guidelines about washing of hands, toys and surfaces.

It has an age-appropriate, fenced-in outdoor play area on-site or nearby.
Caregivers enjoy the children and have had training in CPR, first aid and child development in the specific age group for which they are caring.
There is a written policy outlining social-development goals as well as programs and curriculum, plus policies on sick-child care, discipline, snacks, and, for younger children, toileting, naptimes, parental visits, etc.
There is ongoing communication between parents and caregivers.