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Choosing Child Care

Choosing child care for your child is a very important and sometimes difficult decision. As a parent, you want to ensure that your child is safe and happy in a child care environment that is fun, educational, and nurturing. Read on to learn how to go about making such an important decision.

• Save yourself frustration by taking the time now to do a careful childcare search
• Make your goal to find the best quality of care for your child and consider both center and home-based care.
• Visit the childcare program for at least an hour, visit more than once, and visit with and without your child.
• Ask for a tour of the program so you can see where children will eat, sleep, and play.
• Ask for references of families who have used the program
• Be sure to understand anything you sign and get a copy. Written agreements help parents and caregivers
• know what is expected of each.
• Ask for a copy of the program's philosophy or purpose
• Have a backup plan for childcare in case your needs or the care changes.
• Always pay attention to the signals your child is giving to you.
• Programs that meet national accreditation standards meet higher standards than state requirements
• To check on licensing rules or program status or file complaints call the Virginia Department of Social Services at 1-800-543-7545.

What you should look for in: (PDF files)

• Infant/Toddler Care
• Preschooler Care
• School Age Care
• Special Needs Care
• Camps

 

Questions Providers should ask when searching for childcare: General questions: Would I trust this person to care for my child? Will my child be comfortable and happy in this setting? Have I examined the policies and do they fit with my needs and the needs of my child? Does my child need to be transported? If the provider smokes, is that a problem for my child or me? How much television do I want my child to watch? What types of programs do I want him/her to watch? Does the provider: Encourage parents to observe, discuss policies, make suggestions and participate in the program? Seem to be someone your child will enjoy being with? Seem to enjoy her work? Have methods of dealing with behaviors that agree with your own? Seem to have enough time to look after all the children in her care? Show an interest in your child, family and your expectations? Appear organized and provide a routine and rules that children can understand and follow? Have previous experience/training in working with children?

 

Family Child Care Homes
Do not have to be licensed in Virginia if they have 5 or fewer children, however they can be Voluntarily Registered or certified which means they have met state standards

Family Child Care Homes that are state licensed home can care for up to a 12 children. A certified or Voluntarily Registered home can care for 5 or fewer children. Points determine the maximum number of children. Each adult cannot go over 16 points. Infants are 4 points, toddlers 3 points, preschoolers 2 points and school-age 1 point.

Child Care Centers
Centers must be licensed if caring for thirteen or more children. Religious exempt centers, even though they are not licensed, must meet certain state requirements.

If you would like information about the providers last inspection visit you may check on line at the Virginia Department of Social Services

Backup Child Care

Even the best planned child care arrangements can be disrupted from time to time. Without emergency care, more commonly known as backup care, working parents may be forced to stay home or bring their child to work with them. By planning ahead and knowing your options, you can be prepared to meet the unexpected.

Backup care may be needed whenever your regular child care arrangements are not available. Backup care can be used when either your child or your provider is ill, when providers are on vacation, resign, or go out of business, when schools are closed, or any situation in which your regular child care arrangements fall through.

Sick Child Care
Sick childcare programs provide care for children who are mildly ill or recovering from a health problem.

The Get Well Center at Greenvale School is open year-round, Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. All children must be pre-registered before attending the center. Call (540) 342-4716.

Child Care Alternatives

In-Home Child Care
In-home care, both live-in and live-out, has several advantages. Your child can develop a close relationship with one person in the family's home and parents can work out a routine that suits both their child-rearing philosophy and the child's individual needs.

• Nannies
  A nanny is employed by the family, on either a live-in or live-out basis, to undertake all tasks associated with the care of children. Duties are generally restricted to child care and related domestic tasks.
• Au Pair
  Lives as part of the host family, receives from them an allowance for living expenses and helps with childcare and homework. May or may not have previous childcare experience.
• Information Packet
  To receive a "How to hire an In-Home Caregiver" information packet please email your name and address to childcarelink@councilofcommunityservices.org.

 

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