SELECT A PRESCHOOL OR DAYCARE FACILITY FOR YOUR CHILD

One of the most unsettling experiences a parent faces is that of leaving a child at a preschool or day-care facility. But choosing the right one can be a headache all of its own.

At the California Department of Social Services’ Community Care Licensing office, the monitoring of Orange County’s group-care, preschool facilities is the focus of business. So, when a parent needs information on a family-run day-care or preschool facility, it is a key source to checking into the background of the school.

“We encourage parents to go out and visit the facilities,” said Elda Lavinbuk, licensing-program supervisor for the Santa Ana-based office. “Then (they should) come in and review the public files--which include any complaints or compliance problems--of the schools they have chosen.”

Under California law, all family and preschool centers require a license. State inspectors make comprehensive visits to the schools each year. In addition, all preschool teachers, aides and directors must be fingerprinted and cleared by the state Department of Justice.

“The main question to ask yourself,” Lavinbuk said, “is whether or not the school’s program will meet your child’s needs. It’s not easy, but think academics over economics.”

Here’s a checklist to review when selecting a preschool or day care for your child:

* Is the home or facility licensed by the state? State licensing certificates must be posted in public-access areas. Licensing is updated every three years.

* What is the child-to-adult ratio? For in-home day care, the maximum number of children in the home is six (including the provider’s own children). Preschool programs are limited to 12 children for every one adult.

* How safe is the home or facility? Check heating systems, lighting, electrical cords and outlets, stairs and, especially, bathrooms and materials kept at child-access level.

* Listen to the voice of the adult/teacher giving directions to or correcting the children. How do the children respond to and interact with the adult/teacher.

* What type of discipline is used at the school? California law prohibits family day-care providers or preschool staffers from using any physical forms of punishment. Also in violation of children’s rights is the use of frightening or humiliating techniques, including deprivation of food, sleep or use of the toilet.

* Does the facility offer plenty of indoor space and outdoor play areas? The standard requirement is 35 square feet of indoor space and 75 square feet of outdoor play space for each child. Outdoor areas should offer both sun and shade, grass and asphalt, and should be safely enclosed with no access to hazards such as swimming pools, spas or streets.

* Do sick children play with healthy children? State law prohibits sick children from attending school with healthy children. Sick children must be kept in an isolated area while waiting for parents or guardians to pick them up.

* Do the children get plenty of individual care? Is there space for both quiet and active time? What types of materials (such as paints, crayons, building blocks, climbing structures and books) are on hand to stimulate learning and creativity. How long, and how often, are nap times?

* What types of lunches and snacks will the facility provide? Will foods be nutritionally balanced or the cheapest junk food available? Take a thorough tour of the kitchen area, checking the refrigerator and cabinets for cleanliness, available space, and making a quick inventory of the foods kept on hand.

The Community Care Licensing office can be reached at (714) 558-4563. For a list of day-care and preschool referrals, call the Children’s Home Society at (714) 835-8252 or the Kid Care Hotline at (714) 543-2273.

CHILD CARE REFERRAL CALLS

The need for child care facilities is on the rise. Every year, the Children’s Home Society of California refers more and more licensed care facilities to parents and guardians. In fact, if the trend continues, this year may be the busiest of the last six in Orange County. With seven months reported, the agency has made more than 10,000 referrals for child care providers. Here’s the trend:

Ages 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990* Total 0 to 23 months 7,020 9,143 9,931 9,700 9,207 5,928 50,929 2 to 5 years 5,293 6,098 6,706 6,193 5,598 3,229 33,117 6 to 14 years 2,021 2,643 2,662 2,673 2,138 1,183 13,320 Total 14,334 17,884 19,299 18,566 16,943 10,340 97,366

* Figures are for January through July.

Source: Children’s Home Society of California , California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing