Frequently Asked Questions by Parents About Early Childhood Education

Is My Child Ready?

Many parents will ask themselves if their child is ready to be away from home. Parents may be feeling anxious about leaving their child in the hands of strangers for a variety of reasons, including wondering whether the child is developmentally ready for the new challenges and learning opportunities that early childhood education centers may present. If you have specific concerns around your child's developmental progress, contact your family physician or your local State office to determine what social programming is available to complete developmental assessments. If your child is approaching school age, between the ages 3 and 5, you may contact your local school district regarding readiness assessment.

Licensed day cares are held to standards legislated by the State, and are required to pass inspections and to have certified, well-trained staff. Licensing also ensures that childcare providers meet the the local fire, sanitation and safety codes. Licensed childcare facilities have staffing requirements to ensure that there are a minimum number of staff available for children. Some states offer registration instead of licensing for smaller facilities offering care to fewer children.

You should see teachers actively engaged, warmly and positively interacting with students. The child care facility should be able to demonstrate that it has planned learning and development activities, and should be staffed with well trained professionals. You should see a clean and safe learning environment, free from hazardous materials and with large furniture items secured to prevent injuries. The child care facility should be a culturally sensitive setting and should provide a variety of culture- and age-appropriate equipment.

Obtain a list of licensed or registered child care providers from your local State health and social services department. Request information regarding verified complaints that have been filed regarding violations of standards. To ensure that you ask necessary questions and properly assess whether prospective child care facilities meet your expectations, visit them with a checklist of safety and standards that you expect the facility to meet . Ask to see copies of their policies and emergency procedures.