Every child in Kansas deserves a safe, healthy and nurturing environment....Good Beginnings Last a Lifetime!

When searching for a child care setting that will meet your child’s needs as well as your family’s needs:

Think about what kind of child care setting you are interested in for your child. Child Care homes and centers vary in size,training of staff and daily activity programs for children. Ask if a child care home or center is licensed or registered by theKansas Department of Health and Environment. Child care regulations reduce predictable risks to children when beingcared for in the child care setting. Child care regulations also provide consumer protection for you and your child.

*Visit different child care settings - look and listen -

*Is the child care home or center a busy, happy place with clean, uncluttered space, sturdy play equipment and a variety of play materials? Are activities conducted both inside and outside? Are poisons and other dangerous substances locked up? Is there room for children to engage in active play, quiet play and rest?

*Are children encouraged to express themselves and satisfy their curiosity? Are they actively engaged in activities? Do the children appear to be enjoying themselves? Are the children welcomed? What do the children do in a typical day? Are the children given choices among activities that are appropriate for the age range of children in care?

*Are the adults working with the children warm, accepting and understanding of children? Are the adults supervising the children well and at the same time enjoying their time with the children? Are the adults educated and trained to work with children?

*How many children are in care? How many adults work with a group of children? A smaller number of young children in a group is the most beneficial in meeting each child’s needs.

*Are child care practices like discipline or napping similar to your beliefs and practices? Are children encouraged to learn self-control? How often are children in diapers changed? How do the adults in the program include you in your child’s time in care?

*What basic services are provided by the program? What type of meals are served to the children? Does the program provide transportation services?

For additional information about choosing child care or to find help in locating child care, contact the local child care resource and referral agency. To find your local child care resource and referral agency, call 1-877-678-2548. You may be eligible for assistance (based on your income) in paying for child care costs, to find out contact the local Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) office.