| The ABCs of finding high-quality
child care |
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Family day care. Licensed family day care is an affordable
option for many families. There is usually a number of family day
care providers registered with your local child care information
service. The number of kids per home depends on state provider-child
regulations.
"A family day care situation
can be great for kids because it helps them learn from each other,
especially since families here in the U.S. are small and kids don't
get as much exposure at home to kids of other ages," Powers
says.
She advises parents to look for a home that has a
variety of indoor toys and outdoor equipment and where the provider
takes steps to make sure the older children have access to age-appropriate
toys while protecting younger children from ingesting small objects
and other potential dangers.
Child care centers. While they tend to be expensive,
a good child care center can work out well for parents who can afford
it and who want continuity of care. "You get lots of social
interaction from the beginning, which makes a big difference in
terms of your kids learning how to express themselves and get along
with other kids," says Lisa Sherwood, a CPA in Arlington Heights,
Ill., whose two children are enrolled at Minee Subee Early Education
and Childcare Center.
The atmosphere and the curriculum of a child care
center are the two most important aspects parents should consider
when looking at such facilities, says Judith Katz, Minee Subee owner
and administrator. Open communication and an open door policy are
also essential, as is security, she adds.
Where to start your search
Start your search in the phone book. Virtually all counties in the
United States have a child care information service, an organization
that:
- Refers parents to child care providers
- Gives information on child care subsidies
- Provides information on state and local licensing
requirements
You can find the phone number, address and other contact
information for your local child care information services office
at the Child
Care Aware Child Care Connector or by calling (800) 424-2246.
Child Care Aware is a program of the National Association of Child
Care Resource and Referral Agencies.
For information on and referrals to child care centers
in your area, check out The National Association for the Education
of Young Children's search
function.
Money-saving tips
There are some federal and state tax credits that families using
child care may be able to take advantage of. For an overview, the
IRS offers information on claiming the child
and dependent care credit on its Web site.
Many employers offer dependent care accounts, a type
of flexible spending account allowed by the IRS, where you can use
pretax dollars to pay day care expenses for children up to age
13. Not everyone qualifies. Bankrate's article on flexible
spending accounts provides an overview.
State governments offer subsidized child care for
residents who meet certain income and work guidelines. Check with
your state Department of Human Services or Division of Child Development.
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