How to help your caregiver with this topic

• Become informed about what good child care looks like - check out all the sections of Healthy Kids, Healthy Care. Quality caregivers welcome a lot of questions from a parent who understands what good care is all about.



• Give yourself plenty of time to find the right child care program for your child. Don't enroll your child in a program with the intention of using it just until you can find something better. This is hard on everyone, especially on your child.



• Don't be shy about asking for references - ask for both former and current parents.



• Be understanding about your caregiver's time. If you call and s/he can't chat because s/he is busy with the kids, don't be offended, be grateful. Caring for children is a caregiver's top priority! Ask when would be a good time to talk.



• Inform your caregiver about your child's likes and dislikes regarding activities, food, toys, etc. Ask if your child can bring a favorite book or toy with them the first day.



• Once you have chosen a caregiver, put your energy toward building trust and communication, and toward supporting him/her.



• Continue to observe the program and communicate things you are happy with and concerns that pop up before they become big problems.