‘90s Family : Who’s Minding...

What follows is some advice on how to check out child-care providers.

For family day-care homes:

* Allow plenty of time, spending several hours in the home to observe the caregiver with children.

* Get references from other parents who have used the home.

* Make sure the home is safe. Look for paint cans, insecticides and other noxious materials that might be available to children. Check the safety of playground equipment.

* Ask about the caregiver’s emergency plan in case of a fire or in case a child swallows poison. If the caregiver needs to take a child to the hospital, what are the provisions for the other children?

* Ask about formal child development training. Researchers have found a direct correlation between training and a caregiver’s effectiveness and level of caring. The New York-based Work and Families Institute conducted a study on caregivers before and after receiving a child development associate degree, finding that negative discipline--saying no all the time, pinching children--went down 75% after training.

* Ask about the provider’s philosophy on discipline, conflict between children and general attitude toward children. You want to know that the person caring for your child is attentive, warm, sensitive and is capable of making your child feel secure in your absence.

* If your child is older than a year, it is best to find a home where there are peers.

For day-care centers:

* The National Assn. for the Education of Young Children recommends that there be one adult per four infants, three adults for every 12 toddlers age 12 months to 24 months, and two adults for every 12 children 2 and older.

* Look for centers with well-educated staffs. Specialized training in child development and post-secondary education are critical to managing groups of children and to providing developmentally appropriate activities for varying age groups.

* Ask what the rate of employee turnover is and how long the center has been in existence. Studies show that children have an easier time separating from their parents if the caregiver is consistent. Ask other parents about their experience.

* Ask how much staffers earn and if they have medical benefits. Good pay and benefits are indicators of quality and low turnover.

* Ask about financial details. Some centers won’t charge when the child is away on a family vacation or will charge you half the normal amount to save the spot. Some homes and centers charge extra if you are late picking a child up. As emotional as it is, child care is a business arrangement.

* Parents who want additional help in making an informed child-care decision can order the National Assn. of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies’ “The Complete Guide to Choosing Child Care” (Random House, $12.95) and “Finding Quality Childcare: What Every Parent Needs to Know,” a videotape (Quartet Creative Services, $19.95) by calling (800) 859-5105.