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Selecting & Evaluating Quality Child Care
Emory WorkLife Resource Center
Presented By
Audrey AdelsonDependent Care Program Specialist
&Mary Brown
President, BrownRichards & Associates
Today’s Presenters
Audrey AdelsonDependent Care Program Specialist
• 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
Mary BrownBrown 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
Objectives
1. Discuss the different types of child care and assist you in deciding which options work best for you
2. Educate you on the essentials of quality child care
3. Offer suggestions on what to do when you cannot find availability
4. Acquaint you with resources and programs available to help Emory employees with issues of child care
Steps in Choosing Quality Childcare
Start early
Do your homework
Make your decision
Stay involved
Back-up plan
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
Average Costs in Metro AtlantaDollars Per Week
203190 183 173
152135 135 135
0
50
100
150
200
250
Infant Toddler 1 Toddler 2 Pre-School
CCC
FDCP
CCC = Child Care CentersFDCP = Family Day Care Providers
Infant: 6 weeks – 12 monthsToddler 1: 12 - 24 monthsToddler 2: 24 - 36 monthsPre-School : 3 - 5 years
Finding In-Home Caregivers
Using an Agency
Allow TimeState Licensed
Fees & ServicesEmployeeScreeningRecruitingGuarantee
Taxes
Doing it Yourself
Allow TimeAdvertise
Phone/Email ScreenInterview
ReferencesBackground Check
Your Comp PlanClear Expectations
Performance ReviewTaxes
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
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
Key Indicators of Quality Center Care
1. Low Staff : Child Ratios
2. Small Group Size
3. Ongoing Training of Staff
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
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
Child Care Center Teacher : Child Ratios
Age of Children Staff: Child RatioMaximum Group
Size
Infants less than 1 year old 1 to 6 12or Children under 18 months not
walking 1 to 6 121 year and walking 1 to 8 16
2 years 1 to 10 203 years 1 to 15 304 years 1 to 18 365 years 1 to 20 40
6 years and older 1 to 25 50
Bright from the StartState of Georgia Requirements
Essentials: Center Safety
Safety Policies & ProceduresEmergency Planning
Medication & Sick PoliciesSecurity
Behavioral IssuesSpecial Needs
Essentials: Center Staff Training
Employee orientation
Ongoing staff meetings
Policies & Procedures
Well defined assigned duties and
responsibilities
Reportable events: abuse, neglect,
deprivation, communicable
diseases
Emergency planning & drills
Childhood injury control
An additional minimum of 10
hours of training in first year on various
child care topics
Learning Experience
Curriculum Learning Centers
Indoor & Outdoor Play
Areas
Child & Teacher Directed
Materials & Supplies Enrichment
Parent Involvement
Parent Council or Association
Parent – Teacher Meetings Parent Volunteers
Board of Directors Room Parents Social Activities
Support of each other and the
center
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 888.442.7735http://www.decal.state.ga.us/
Accreditation
NationalAssociation for the
Education of Young Children
NAEYC
National Early Childhood Program
AccreditationNECPA
National Association for
Family Child CareNAFCC
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
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
Financial Resources to Help Pay for Child Care Expenses
State child care subsidy
DiscountsScholarships
Employer/college assistance
Pre-K programs Head Start/Early Head Start Tax credits
Flexible spending accounts
Military child care assistance
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