Allergies, Asthma and Other Chronic Conditions

• Does the program currently have children with allergies, asthma, or chronic conditions in their care?

• If not, do caregivers seem willing and able to learn new skills that might be required to work with your child?

• Does the program have access to child care health consultants or other experts to train or coach caregivers on specific medical procedures that your child would need while at the child care program?
  
  Example: Use of epinephrine (Epi- Pen®); insulin monitoring)

• Would any changes in the environment need to be made to accommodate your child?
  
  Examples: Changes in menus, more thorough cleaning, reducing the amount of carpeting, prohibiting pets)

• Does the caregiver conduct a daily health check to make sure children have all necessary medicines and equipment needed for that day?
  
  Example: Nebulizer.

• Does the program provide good care to children who don't have health problems?

Child Care Health Consultants

• Does the caregiver have access to and regular visits from a child care health consultant?

• If needed, has the caregiver established relationships with experts in areas such as mental health or a long-term health condition (like diabetes), for a child under their care?

Children with Special Needs

• Have caregivers had training or specialized education in serving children with special needs?

• Are caregivers willing and able to learn new skills that might be required to successfully include a child with special needs?

• Are they willing to be involved in helping to implement the child's education plans: Individualized Family Service Plan [IFSP], Individualized Education Plan [IEP]?

• How would the environmental aspects of the program (light, sound, level of clutter, activities, etc.) work for your child?

• What physical changes would need to be made for your child?

• Do caregivers show enthusiasm for planning activities that can be enjoyed by children at various developmental stages?
  
  Hints: Children learn to appreciate all people by getting to know others who aren't exactly like them. You and your child have a lot to offer a program. Choose a caregiver who values diversity and is not afraid of working with a child with special needs. Ask for references with families who currently use the program, in addition to the references offered by the caregiver.

Medicine

• Does the child care program keep medicine out of reach from children?

• Are the caregivers trained to give each medicine properly?

• Is the medicine stored properly, according to the instructions?

• Is there a written policy on how the program will handle medicine?

• Is the written policy given and explained to both parents and staff?

• Does the caregiver always pay attention to the 5 "rights" of giving medicine?
  
  Right child given the Right medicine in the Right amount at the Right time by the Right route (e.g. ear drops in the ear).

Sick children

• When should children stay home?