Parents

PARENTS

Quality Child Care – What Parents Should Look For:  finding the right child care provider is an important decision for parents.  Please see below which will provide guidance and more detailed information about what parents should look for in quality child care.

CHOOSING CHILD CARE

Finding the right caregiver for your child is often challenging, but it is one of the most important decisions you will make. Parents play the most important role in the life of a child; however, the relationship between a child and a caregiver can affect a child’s self image and how he or she views the world. When infants, toddlers and young children receive warm and responsive care, they feel safe and secure. When parents know their children are receiving warm and responsive care by well-trained providers, those parents can return to the workforce feeling secure in the knowledge that their child is receiving safe and nourishing care.  The Department of Health & Family Services & the Department of Workforce Development have prepared a brochure called Choosing Child Care that provides some guidance to parents when selecting a child care provider. 

Please note: families who qualify for child care subsidies are required to use regulated child care whether it be licensed or certified.

LICENSED CHILD CARE

Under Wisconsin law, no person may for compensation provide care and supervision for 4 or more children under the age of 7 for less than 24 hours a child unless that person obtains a license to operate a child care center from the Department. This does not include a relative or guardian of a child who provides care and supervision for the child; a public or parochial school; a person employed to come to the home of the child’s parent or guardian for less than 24 hours a child; or a county, city, village, town, school district or library that provides programs primarily intended for recreational or social purposes. Child care centers are licensed by the state from one of five regional licensing offices.  There are 2 different categories of state licensed child care; they depend upon the number of children in care:

• Licensed Family Child Care Centers provide care for up to 8 children. This care is usually in the provider’s home, but it is not required to be located in a residence.
• Licensed Group Child Care Centers provide care for 9 or more children. These centers are usually located somewhere other than a residence and may be small or large in size.

COUNTY CERTIFIED CHILD CARE

There is a voluntary form of regulation in Wisconsin for those child care programs that are not required to be licensed. This type of regulation is called certification. Counties certify child care homes and some school-age child care programs. Certification is available for those families who wish to receive a child care subsidy, but who do not choose to use licensed care.  Contact the Child Care Resource and Referral at 1-888-713-KIDS (5437) for information about the child care choices available in your area.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

• What type of education and previous experience does the potential child care provider have?

Most experts consider caregiver education and training to be one of the most critical areas for ensuring and improving the quality of child care. Education in early childhood education and previous experience caring for children can help providers develop the skills necessary to provide quality early childhood experiences to children.

• How many children will each caregiver take care of and how many children will be in the group?

Fewer children per caregiver and smaller group sizes are important because children receive more individual attention and caregivers can be more responsive to each child’s needs. The child care licensing regulations specify the maximum number of children who may be cared for in a group and they also specify the number of caretakers required for a group of children. For example, in a Group Child Care Center when children are under age two (2), there should be no more than four (4) children per caregiver with no more than 8 children in the group. When children are between ages three (3) and four (4) years, the Group Child Care Center licensing rules allow 10 children per caregiver with no more than 20 children in a group.

• What types of activities are planned for the children throughout the child?

Children need to be exposed to a variety of new experiences and opportunities in a safe environment. There should be some structure in the daily activities planned for children with opportunities to play outside each child. The center should be equipped with toys and furnishings that are safe and child appropriate. There should be open spaces for children to explore and quiet spaces for reading a book or playing with puzzles.

• Can I visit the center anytime that is convenient for me?

The licensing rules require that parents be able to visit the center at any time. Sometimes, when you are asking to tour a center before placing your child there for care, a center may ask that you make an appointment so that someone may be free to show you around and answer questions. But once your child is enrolled in the center, you have the right to come in to the program anytime.

• What should I look for when visiting a center?

You can tell a lot about a child care program by visiting the program before you enroll and by stopping in unexpectedly after your child is enrolled. Things to look for when visiting a program include noise levels; crying children; whether there are televisions turned on all the time; and whether children seem engaged in meaningful play activities or are wandering aimlessly. Check to see if the child care providers are interacting with the children or whether they are busy with other tasks.

• Where can I go if I need assistance finding child care?

There are 17 Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agencies located throughout the state that are designed to help parents locate child care. These CCR&Rs have a listing of all regulated, licensed or certified child care providers in the counties served by the agency. They are able to provide lists of providers that meet the needs you specify and can also provide additional information related to choosing quality child care. Call 1-800-713-KIDS (5437) to be transferred to the agency serving the county in which the call originates or you can check the Child Care Resource & Referral web site to find the agency that serves your county at http://www.wisconsinccrr.org/.

• I think I have found a provider to care for my child. How can I check to make sure that this provider is meeting the licensing regulations?

All licensed programs receive periodic monitoring visits by a licensing specialist. Each time a monitoring visit is conducted, the licensing specialist checks to ensure compliance with selected licensing rules. At the end of every monitoring visit, the licensing specialist discusses any violations or concerns with the licensee and a report of the findings is issued. This report can be either a Statement of Non-Compliance that enumerates the violations found or a Compliance Statement that shows that no licensing violations were noted on the visit. These reports must be posted in an area of the center that is readily visible to parents and the public. If you don’t see a licensing visit report posted, you should ask the center to see the results of the most recent monitoring visit.

Parents are encouraged to call or visit the regional licensing office to find out a center's compliance history. The regional licensing office will also be able to tell you if any complaints have been filed about the center and whether those complaints were founded or not.

• My child is enrolled in a child care program. I am concerned about something that has occurred and wish to talk with someone about my concerns. What should I do?

Once your child is enrolled in a child care setting, you will be visiting the program regularly. Because the licensing specialist is only able to make one or two routine monitoring visits each year, the parents’ help in observing what is happening at a center is critical. If you are having a problem with a center or believe that a licensing rule may have been violated you are encouraged to call the regional licensing office to talk with a licensing specialist.

Each program licensed by the Bureau of Regulation and Licensing agrees to follow rules that are designed to protect the children in care. If you believe that a center may be violating one of the licensing rules, you may file a complaint with the licensing office. You may report a complaint over the telephone, via e-mail or in writing to the regional licensing office that serves the facility. Reports may be filed anonymously. Every complaint is investigated. Some situations (such as payment or tuition disputes) are not covered by the licensing rules. These concerns will not be accepted as complaints. 

When filing a complaint, please give as much information as possible about your concerns.  This information may be helpful to the licensing specialist who will investigate the complaint.  Supplying dates, time, the exact location (room or area of the center) of the suspected violation and names of people involved or other potential witnesses will help the investigator gather information to determine whether a rule violation occurred. 

A licensing specialist will be assigned to investigate the  complaint.  The investigation may include an unannounced visit to the program to observe conditions, interviews with the licensee and current of former staff members and, if appropriate, a check of center records.

After the investigation is completed, the licensing specialist will determine whether the allegations in the complaint are founded (it was determined with reasonable certainty that a rule violation occurred), unfounded (it was determined with reasonable certainty that no rule violation occurred) or unable to be substantiated (it could not be determined with reasonable certainty whether a rule violation occurred). Any violations noted are listed on a Statement of Non-Compliance and Corrective Action Plan. Depending on the severity of the violations, other enforcement actions could be initiated. The investigating licensing specialist will prepare a report on the investigation and subsequent findings. The licensee is notified of the investigative finding and you may request to receive the findings as well. The report is then placed in the center file and shared with others who may want to know about a center’s complaint and compliance history.

PARENT CHECKLIST FOR CERTIFIED FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS

Parent Responsibility

Personal information you provide may be used for secondary purposes [Privacy Law, s. 15.04 (1)(m)].

As a parent you must give the provider a current report of a physical examination to have on file for each child, as follows:  For a child under two (2) years of age, a report of a physical examination conducted not more than six (6) months prior to nor later than three (3) months after the child is admitted, and a follow-up health examination at least once every six (6) months after admission.  For a child two years of age or older, a report of a physical examination conducted not more than two (2) years prior to nor later than three (3) months after the child is admitted.  The physical examination report shall be signed and dated by a licensed physician, a physician’s assistant or a health care provider.  You must give the provider a written record verifying that each child in care has been immunized. The provider may administer medication to a child only in accordance with written and signed permission from the child’s parent.

Complaint Procedure for County/Tribal Certified Child Care

Complaints shall be directed to Social Intake, a child care certifier or a child care worker by telephone or (preferably) by letter.  The appropriate county/tribal department shall investigate the complaint. If a child is in immediate danger, the local law enforcement agency is to be contacted immediately. (Child Care providers are mandated reporters for suspected child abuse and neglect). For more information contact the County/Tribal Child Care Coordinator.

The provider and the provider’s home and outside play areas meet the following requirements.

The child care provider is required by law to report suspected child abuse to the county/tribal social or human services department, or the police if the child is in immediate danger.

All visitors and members of the provider’s household shall be in physical and mental health that will not bring harm to the health and well being of the children in care.

No person is in contact with child care children who has symptoms of illness or of a communicable disease that may be transmitted through normal contact.

Any substitute shall be at least 18 years of age and physically and emotionally able to provide responsible child care.

Each floor used for care has at least one (1) unblocked exit and a working smoke detector.

All areas used for child care have adequate and safe heat, light and ventilation.

The home is free of hazards and the following items are inaccessible to the children:

1. Medications, drugs, and alcohol;

2. Cleaning supplies, poisons, and insecticides;

3. Guns, knives, scissors, and sharp objects;

4. Matches, cigarette lighters and flammable liquids;

5. Plastic bags; and

6. Litter and rubbish

Indoor and outdoor areas used for child care have sufficient space for play and for activities, which meet the developmental needs of the children in care.

Outdoor play areas are free of hazards and are fenced or the provider has taken special measures to ensure the safety of the children. Pools, hot tubs and large trampolines are inaccessible for child care children and are not used during the hours of child care.

Pets that are kept in the home are tolerant of children and vaccinated against rabies.

Emergency phone numbers are posted by each working telephone. Phone numbers on this list include: 911, poison control center, children’s parents, children’s physician and emergency caregiver.

For each child in care, the provider has an enrollment form, which includes consent for emergency medical care.

The home is clean, uncluttered and free of insects and rodents.

Bathrooms, including toilets, sinks and potty chairs are clean and in good working condition.

If public water supply is not available, the well water is tested and found to be bacteriologically safe and to have safe nitrate and levels by a certified laboratory every two (2) years.

I have observed that children do not share cups, eating utensils, washcloths or towels.

The provider does not smoke in any indoor or outdoor area in which child care children are present.

Areas, equipment and utensils for food preparation, serving and clean-up are clean and sanitary.

The provider is caring for no more than three (3) non-relatives under seven (7) years old.

Note: When four (4) or more children not related to the provider under seven (7) years old are cared for at one time, a state license is required.

The provider will care for children in accordance with the group size and age limitations per state requirements. (See attached).

The provider will not hit, spank, shake or inflict any other form of corporal punishment on the child or use any discipline, which is frightening to the child.

The provider is using positive guidance and redirection for the children and helps each child develop self-control, self-esteem and respect for the rights of others. The provider is not using time-outs that exceed five (5) minutes.

The provider will not verbally abuse or threaten a child or make derogatory remarks about the child or the child’s family.

The provider offers children a variety of activities including active and quiet play and indoor and outdoor activities, including infants and toddlers.

The provider is reading to the children daily.

The provider offers play activities that enhance creativity, language development, use of large and small motor skills and imagination.

I have seen a variety of age appropriate equipment and toys.

Television viewing will be used only to supplement regular activities and no child will be required to watch television.

The provider responds promptly to a crying infant or toddler’s needs and provides physical contact and attention to each infant and toddler throughout the child, including holding, rocking, talking to, singing to and taking on walks inside and outside the home.

The provider changes the position and location of a non-walking child who is awake.

I have completed “Child Care Intake for Child Under 2 Years” form.

The provider will make sure children have something to eat at least every three (3) hours.

Each child has a clean, safe, quiet area to rest or nap. A safe crib or a playpen is available for children under age one (1).

Each child is seated and properly restrained in a car seat or seat belt when transported. I have signed written permission to transport my child.

Each child has adult supervision at all times. The children are not left unattended in a motor vehicle.

Parents are allowed to visit and observe the program of care during any hours care is provided.

The provider informs me of any disciplinary action taken or any injury to my child that occurred during child care hours.

The provider keeps a written record of the daily hours of attendance of each child in care.

The provider has written information about the charges for child care which includes how much and when they are paid.

The provider has informed me whether or not the premises are covered by a child care liability insurance policy.

ATTACHMENT TO PARENT CHECKLIST

Maximum Number of Children in Certified Child Care

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN CERTIFIED CHILD CARE

Related children under seven (7) years of age

Non-related children under seven (7) years of age

Additional children ages seven (7) and older

Maximum number of children*

Additional children ages seven (7) through age 12 (if special needs up to 19) may be cared for as long as the maximum total number of children is not exceeded six (6)

*The maximum number does not include the provider’s natural, adopted or foster children seven (7) years of age and older.

When Children Under Age Of 2 Years Are Present

Number of children under two (2) years of age

Maximum number of children**

**The maximum number does not include the provider’s natural, adopted or foster children seven (7) years of age and older

Note: Under s. 48.65 (1), Wisconsin Statutes, if a provider takes care of four (4) or more children under the age of seven (7) who are not related to the provider, for compensation, the provider must obtain from Department of Health & Family Services a license to operate a child care center.

EXPECTATIONS

10 things you should expect from you child care provider

If your child is cared for by a child care in your home, a family child care provider in her/his home or a number of people in a child care center, you can expect certain things.

1.  Open communication. Child care providers should give you frequent and full updates on your child’s progress and problems.  They should welcome your questions and ask you questions about how they can help your child.  If they let you know what is happening with your child during the day, you can develop ways to deal with problems and to build on activities and accomplishments of the day.

2.  Open access to their home or center. Parents must be welcome to drop in any time, even without calling.  Providers also should allow parents to make a reasonable number of phone calls to check on their children’s well being, in case of illness or if there’s a special problem such as separation anxiety.  You and the provider should work out the best times for such phone calls and determine how many calls are reasonable.

3.  Safety for your child. Providers should take precautions to keep children safe. This includes basic safety measures such as plugging light sockets, putting away knives and other sharp objects, closing off stairways and using only safe and well-maintained equipment.  It includes always using child-safety seats and seat belts when transporting children in cars.

4.  Honesty and confidence. Providers shouldn’t make commitments that they don’t intend to keep.  They shouldn’t cover up problems or accidents that occur. They shouldn’t expect parents to help them avoid income taxes by slipping them money on the side.  They shouldn’t gossip about your child or your family to friends or coworkers.

5.  Acceptance of parents’ wishes. Providers should abide by parents’ wishes on matters such as discipline, TV watching, food, adult smoking and toilet training.  If parents do not want their children spanked, providers should not spank them.  If parents don’t want anyone smoking around their child, the provider needs to see that no one smokes in the house when the child is present.  If providers feel that they can’t abide by parents’ wishes, they need to tell parents before agreeing to care for the children and parents should look for other care.

6.  Advance notice of any changes. Because it often is difficult to find adequate care, providers should tell parents well in advance if they are going to change their hours or prices or if they are going to stop or limit the time of caring for a child. Parents need at least a month or, better yet, six (6) weeks’ notice if a provider is no longer going to care for a child. Except in the case of an emergency, parents should be given at least two (2) weeks notice even if the provider won’t be available for just one (1) day.

7.  No interference in the child’s family or family problems. Providers shouldn’t talk to children about their families’ problems, lifestyle or values.  Likewise, the provider should be careful not to take sides in any family disputes such as custody battles.  Providers should not try to impose their religious or other beliefs on the children they care for.  This includes not taking children to religious services unless asked to by the parents.

8.  No advice offered unless asked for and no judging of parenting practices. Providers shouldn’t criticize or advise parents on child rearing unless the parents ask for their advice.  They shouldn’t set themselves up as experts on parenting.  If parents ask for advice, providers should offer it in a non-critical way.  Of course, if providers see something that is seriously wrong with how parents are raising their children, such as if they fear child abuse or see a child apparently suffering from malnutrition, they should discuss the problem with the parents and, if needed, contact legal authorities.

9.  Assurance that everyone in contact with the child is trustworthy and properly trained and supervised. Providers must be responsible for everyone who enters, visits and works at their home or center.  This includes screening custodial help, not admitting strangers to the home, seeing that all transportation workers are properly trained and that all visitors, including friends or relatives of the provider, are trustworthy and supervised and will not harm the child.

10.  No surprises. This means that your family child-care provider won’t suddenly tell you that since she has taken a part-time job, her teenage daughter will watch your child three (3) afternoons a week or that your child’s favorite teacher at the center just disappears without warning or comment.  Surprises are probably what parents fear the most from their child care providers.

 

10 things your child care provider should expect from you, the parent

While expectations will differ somewhat, depending on if your child is cared for in your home, in the home of a family child care provider or in a child care center, your provider or providers should be able to expect certain things from you.

1.  Open communication. Explain clearly and carefully your wishes and expectations about how your child will be cared for.  Also provide updates on problems and progress that your child is making.  Give the provider information about your child’s routine, activities and preferences.  Good communication helps parents and providers work together in the best interest of children.

2.  Agreement on terms or arrangements. You should fully understand the expectations of the provider and what you as a parent are agreeing to.  A written agreement between the provider and parents is usually helpful for both parties.

3.  Honesty and trust. This includes being honest about how you believe the arrangement is working, if your child is happy with the provider and if you are.  Although you need to be vigilant to safeguard your child, you should still trust your child care provider to do the best for your child.  Show your trust by asking questions rather than jumping to conclusions when apparent problems develop.

4.  Advance notice of and agreement to any changes. Providers have to earn a living, too.  They deserve advance notice if you are going to stop using their services, take a vacation during which they will receive no pay or change the hours or care.  If, for example, you want the provider to start feeding your child breakfast, this change should be made in the rate of pay.  And, if you expect a month or six (6) weeks’ notice in case the provider can no longer care for your child, you owe the provider similar notice.

5.  Pick up on time and follow through on all agreements. Providers have personal lives, too, and they should be able to expect that you will pick up your child at the agreed upon time.  If it takes you 15 minutes a night longer to get home than you expected or if you find it more convenient to stop at the grocery store before picking up your child which makes you 30 minutes late three (3) times a week, you need to work out a new agreement with the provider or find a way to abide by the original one.  If you agree to provide diapers, formula or other supplies, you should bring them before they are needed.

6.  Not to send sick, hungry or overly tired kids. Agree with your child care provider in advance about when you can and cannot bring a sick child.  Never bring a child whom you know is not feeling well enough to be away from home and family.  Likewise you shouldn’t expect your child care provider to cope with a child who has not had breakfast or who went to bed four (4) hours late last night.

7.  Payment on time and no “rubber” checks. Child care providers have to pay the rent and buy food, too, so make arrangements to see that they get their pay on time.

8.  Respect. Realize that taking care of children is a job and the child care provider is a worker, often a working parent, just as you are.  Recognize also that this is not an easy job.  A child care provider is not “just a baby sitter”.  She is one of the most important people in your child’s life and in yours, too.

9.  No jealousy. Try not to be jealous of your child’s attachment to child care providers.  Children who spend hours every day with a baby sitter or child care worker come to love that person.  That love, though, doesn’t diminish the love the child feels for you.  Don’t feel that you have to compete with your child care provider for your child’s affection.

10.  No surprises. Your child care provider shouldn’t learn on Friday that you have decided to take next week off from work so you won’t need her or pay her, either.  Your family child care provider shouldn’t learn that you now expect her to pick up your kindergartner after school because the car pool you have been using has dissolved.  Child care providers don’t like surprises any better than parents do.

 

WHAT ARE MY PARENTAL RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES WHEN MY CHILD IS IN CHILD CARE?

 

Your RIGHTS are to:

• Be involved in your child’s education and care
• Receive information regarding your child’s progress and development
• Share in decisions about the care of your child
• Have frequent contact with the child care provider about your child
• Have access to the classroom through visitation or observation
• Be recognized as the “Expert” when it comes to your child
• Be informed when a communicable disease or traumatic situation has arisen at the program
• Be informed by the child care when your child has a problem
• Be informed about changes in fees, child care provider or programming

 

Your RESPONSIBILITIES are to:

• Be involved in your child’s education and learning
• Let the child care provider know you are concerned and interested in your child and your child’s progress
• Set goals with the child care provider and share in decisions about your child’s care
• Share information about the child and home that may affect the child’s behavior
• Discuss problems and concerns with the child care provider first
• Show appreciation for your child care provider
• Continually upgrade your parenting skills and understanding of children
• Volunteer to assist the child care provider in some way
• Follow the child care program’s policies and reread the contract and policy manual regularly
• Keep your child home when sick unless sick care is given
• Read to your child and spend time talking and play together