At A Place for Children, we understand how much quality care for your family means to you. This is why we offer care you can count on when you need it the most. Our team provides a “model” childcare center where students can be serviced and students can learn the best and latest learning techniques.
Look, Listen, and Ask: Choosing Quality Child Care Tip Sheets
Choosing a child care program for your child is an important decision. You need to feel comfortable with your choice and be confident that your child is in a safe and caring environment.
When looking for child care, visit each setting in person to make sure the program is the right fit for your child. Visiting allows you to see firsthand how the program operates, what your child will experience during a typical day, and how the teachers interact and work with children. Visiting also allows you to see what the classrooms and play spaces look like and gives you a chance to ask questions.
Look
Look to see how the teachers speak with children. Do they speak with them at the children’s eye level by sitting, crouching, or kneeling? Do they greet each child?
Look at the classroom layout. Can the teachers always see the children?
Look at the classroom space. Is it well organized and clean?
Look to see if the classroom provides a variety of toys that your child would enjoy. Are the toys kept so that children can reach them and play with them?
Look at the outdoor and indoor spaces used for play. Look at the play equipment and toys. Do they look safe and appropriate?
Look at the building, equipment, and materials available to the children. Are they clean and in good repair?
Look at the center’s hand washing procedure. Do the teachers and children frequently wash their hands?
Look at drop-off/pick-up, program closure, emergency planning, and child discipline and guidance policies.
Listen
Listen to the sounds you hear while visiting. Do you hear frequent laughter and play?
Listen to how teachers speak with the children. You should hear a positive, nurturing tone of voice at an appropriate volume level.
Notice the smells while you are visiting the program. Are they clean, pleasant smells or do you notice strong unpleasant odors?
Ask
Ask for a copy of the program’s family handbook. Review the program’s philosophy and policies for rates, fees, and payment.
Ask how the program handles challenging behaviors. Do they use positive guidance strategies (such as giving choices, redirecting behavior, setting limits with follow through, listening, and encouraging)?
Ask if the program allows families to drop-in and visit. Please note that this may not be permitted during the current pandemic.
Ask how the program keeps families informed about things happening in the program. Are there opportunities for families to get involved in program activities and provide input?
Ask how the program shares details of the child’s day with families (feeding, diapering, napping, playing, mood, developmental milestones).
Ask if the program provides meals and snacks.
Ask about the education and training requirements for the director and teachers.
Do they participate in continuing education?
Ask how the program handles sick children and when a child should stay home due to illness. What is their process for giving children medication, if applicable?
If your child has a disability, ask how the program would support your child throughout the day. Have teachers been trained in how to support children with disabilities or are they willing to get trained, if applicable?
Ask how teachers plan classroom activities.
Ask if the program has had high staff turnover. Low staff turnover is important.
Ask if the children play outside often.
Ask how the program lessens the spread of illness.
A Place for Children is a licensed child care center located in Houston, Texas. We work with families to ensure their children have safe and accessible care around the clock. We understand that every family operates on a unique schedule, this is why we offer child care for parents that work nights in Houston. Contact us today to learn more about the services we provide and to enroll your child in child care at one of our two facilities.
24 Hour Family Child Care in Houston, TX
A Place for Children is a childcare facility that is open 24 hours a day. We provide around the clock care for children as young as 6 weeks old. If you are looking for a child care center that focuses on providing reliable childcare and early education programs for child development, then we want to hear from you. Reach out to our team today to learn more about the services we offer.
A Place For Children
9805 Bissonnet St Ste A
Houston, TX 77036
281-598-4040
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