Whether searching for a large child care provider, a faith-based center, or a smaller in-home program, the one common trait you should always seek in all options is the center's quality. Unfortunately, it can be hard to recognize quality — especially if you're searching for child care for the first time. To help families with this sometimes-difficult search, ABC Quality provides a quality checklist of what to look for in a child care program to make sure a potential option offers a safe, stimulating environment and one that will allow your child to thrive.

When exploring your child care options, make sure to look for the following:

Facility and Activities: 

• Ensure a center is well-lit and clean, including bathrooms, nurseries, and food preparation areas.
• Make sure there is room for play. An overcrowded or cramped facility must provide adequate space for optimum recreation and education.
• Make sure a facility provides a skill-building classroom center. Because children experience their most significant period of rapid brain development in the first five years of life, a center should provide educational experiences that help with problem-solving and skill development.
• Ensure a TV or video is not replacing an attentive teacher or caretaker. TV or videos should not be regular activities and should be used sparingly.
• Also, check to make sure the provider is safe and secure. Ask about security systems and safety protocols in the center.
• Evaluate indoor and outdoor areas to ensure they are safe, secure places for your child.

Caregivers and Teachers:

• Make sure a provider has a low staff-to-child ratio. For newborns to 18 months, this means one caregiver for every four children. For toddlers (2 years old), one caregiver for every six children. 
• For 3-year-olds, this means one caregiver for every ten children. For 4-year-olds, this means one caregiver for every 13 children. And for preschool children (ages 4 and up), this means one caregiver for every 17 children.
• Make sure caregivers are well-trained and experienced. Be sure and ask providers about everyone on staff. Ideally, teachers will have some college or early childhood education.
• Ensure a provider encourages social and cognitive development (thinking, reasoning, or remembering).
• Watch out for teachers who speak in "baby talk." This speaking style will not encourage a child's overall development.
• Also, watch out for teachers who speak too harshly to the children. The tone of voice and harsh language is not ideal for optimum learning and become a psychological barrier to relationship building.

Program and Structure:

• Ask about staff turnover rates. A low teacher turnover is ideal as it allows for building meaningful relationships and trust with adults.
• Ask if a provider has clear policies and a structured program. Find out the rules and regulations that are in place and review any licensing or violations that a center may have.
• Ask if the provider has pursued ABC Quality and other accreditations. Child care is a constantly evolving discipline, and quality providers will continue improving at every opportunity.
• Ask for current parent/family references and ask their opinion of the care their child has received.
• Ask for a written handbook of policies.

Parental and Guardian Involvement

• Ask about opportunities for involvement. From volunteering in person to participating in field trips, see how open a provider is to have parental involvement.
• See how responsive a staff member is to your questions, concerns, or comments. The best providers will also seek parental feedback and implement those suggestions when applicable.
• Ask if a provider encourages two-way discussions about child development. The best providers seek partnerships with parents or guardians as well as effective communication in both verbal and written ways.
• Ask if a provider encourages parental visits at any time of the day. Quality providers do, displaying total transparency in what they do at any given time of day.

Personal Care Practices

• Make sure staff is trained in health and sanitation. For example, make sure staff washes their hands after each diaper change. Make sure certain toys are never sticky or dirty. And make sure food preparation areas are far from diaper-changing areas.
• Ensure everyone on staff practices proper routines and procedures daily — ensuring consistency for your child.
• Ask if the staff is certified in CPR and first aid.

To learn the quality rating of a provider you are researching, use the find a provider search tool.