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Selecting & Evaluating Quality Child Care Emory WorkLife Resource Center Presented By Audrey Adelson Dependent Care Program Specialist & Mary Brown President, BrownRichards & Associates Today’s Presenters • • • • • • Audrey Adelson Mary Brown Dependent Care Program Specialist Brown Richards & Associates 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 • 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 The Child Care Trilemma Bright Horizons Family Solutions 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 Atlanta Dollars Per Week 250 200 150 203 190 152 183 135 173 135 135 CCC 100 FDCP 50 0 Infant Toddler 1 Toddler 2 CCC = Child Care Centers FDCP = Family Day Care Providers Infant: 6 weeks – 12 months Toddler 1: 12 - 24 months Toddler 2: 24 - 36 months Pre-School : 3 - 5 years Pre-School Finding In-Home Caregivers Using an Agency Doing it Yourself Allow Time State Licensed Fees & Services Employee Screening Recruiting Guarantee Taxes Allow Time Advertise Phone/Email Screen Interview References Background Check Your Comp Plan Clear Expectations Performance Review Taxes 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 Ratio Maximum Group Size Infants less than 1 year old 1 to 6 12 or Children under 18 months not walking 1 to 6 12 1 year and walking 1 to 8 16 2 years 1 to 10 20 3 years 1 to 15 30 4 years 1 to 18 36 5 years 1 to 20 40 6 years and older 1 to 25 50 Bright from the Start State of Georgia Requirements Essentials: Center Safety Safety Policies & Procedures Emergency Planning Medication & Sick Policies Security Behavioral Issues Special 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 Essentials: Center Environment Play Areas Nap Time Eating Space Cleanliness Toys Classroom Organization Learning Experience Curriculum Learning Centers Indoor & Outdoor Play Areas Child & Teacher Directed Materials & Supplies Enrichment Communication Director : Staff Staff : Parents Parents: Director 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 888.442.7735 http://www.decal.state.ga.us/ Accreditation National Association for the Education of Young Children NAEYC National Early Childhood Program Accreditation NECPA National Association for Family Child Care NAFCC 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 Discounts Scholarships 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 Weighing your Decision Cost Facility Location Your Decision Director & Staff Accreditation Ratios Curriculum