Choosing a licensed provider can make the difference in readying your child for the academic and social adventures ahead. Choosing licensed may cost a little more (though sometimes not), but you will know that your child is in a long-term, professionally-run and structured environment that is monitored by the State of Colorado to ensure your child’s safety and development.

Becoming licensed takes some time. This is usually done by someone with a long-term desire and intention to watch children, who plans to follow state guidelines and do the right thing, and who wants to provide the highest quality childcare.

Below are the requirements for becoming licensed in Colorado:

 

• FBI fingerprint checks (required for all adults living in the home over the age of 18)

• First Aid/CPR certification – completed and renewed every 2 years

• Completion of other safety classes (Universal Precautions, which has to do with germ control and proper methods of sanitizing; Medication Administration; and a 16 hour Pre-licensing class)

• Ongoing continuing education credits (classes taken during a provider’s down time could include infant care and safety, curriculum planning, infant sign language, or potty training. These are completed yearly, so that a licensed provider is kept up-to-date in current child development issues.)

• A childproofed home (this includes such basics as working fire alarms and fire extinguishers, gated stairways, outlet covers, drawer locks, window well covers, and safe sleeping areas).

• State inspections (a licensed provider knows that she will be inspected and agrees to have her home scrutinized for safety measures. The actual inspection is unannounced. In addition to checking for safety measures, licensing specialists check for the presence of toys that are safe, age-appropriate, and meet different areas of learning).

• A physical exam completed for each person living in the home, to ensure no communicable diseases are present. Animals living in the home have rabies shots and vet records.

• Available licensing history (a parent interested in a licensed childcare can check licensing records with the Colorado Dept. of Human Services, Division of Childcare. This history will tell the parent about any concerns that came up during inspections and will assure parents that the provider was up-to-date in such issues as having vaccinations and medical records on file, having a safe home, and having a legal provider/child ratio). In other words, an oversight agency is helping make sure your child is in a safe place!

My license # is 1552036 and can be found online at: http://www.colorado.gov/apps/cdhs/childcare/lookup/index.jsf

 

Interview/Parents    

Interview Process

Your interview should start with your telephone call. You want to make sure that the opening you need is available, check to make sure your hours are compatible, or if your child has allergies to pets, you may want to make sure their home is pet-free. Simple questions like these can save time for both of you. If the phone call goes well ask for an appointment to meet with the provider. Don't be surprised if she insists on setting a time for an evening or on the weekend. This way she can devote her full attention to your family's needs.

Always use your gut instincts in all phases of the interview process. If it doesn't feel right to you, don't look back, move on. Your children are your most precious treasures.

 

 

Questions to Ask on the Interview

1.Hours home is open?

2. How long they've done childcare?
3. Why do you do child care?
4. How many children are in their care?
5. Ages of children in care?
6. Ages of provider's own children?
7. Are there any pets?
8. Does the provider take the children on field trips or do they leave the home to run errands?
9. Are meals and snacks served? What time?
10. What is your policy regarding early pick up or late arrival?
11. What happens if I am late picking up?
12. What type of discipline do you use?
13. Do you offer any preschool activities with the kids? If yes, what age do you start them?
14. What is you philosophy on infant care? (Where do they stay, put in playpen, held when fed, etc.)
15. Do you take paid vacations?
16. Do you take paid sick personal days?
17. What type of back up system do you offer if you are sick or on vacation?
18. What do I need to provide for my child (clothes, diapers, formula, etc.)
19. What type of TV/movies are shown to the kids?
20. What is a typical day like?

 

Parents should also ask to see the areas where children will be cared for (nap area, play area, kitchen, etc.). Ask to see the provider's license, which should be posted in a common area. The license will tell you the provider's child capacity and if there are any areas of the home that are off limits. You can also ask to see the provider's last inspection report, which will tell you if any problems were found, and if/how they were remedied. Remember, this is information you can only find when you are dealing with a licensed provider.

If this goes well, ask for references of children in care and from some that have left. More than likely, she will give you references that she knows will have good things to say about her. But ask questions like what is the turn around rate in this home? Is this provider sick often? Does she give adequate notice with taking vacation? Do they feel this provider communicates with the parent if there are any problems?

If the references seem good, there is one more step that you can take: you can check their file yourself by using the web at: http://www.colorado.gov/apps/cdhs/childcare/lookup/index.jsf or call Human Services at 303-866-5958. Tell them that you have found a provider, and ask to get information from this provider's file. They can mail or fax it to you.

 

Complaint Process It is unfortunate, but sometimes things happen that you as a parent are uncomfortable with. DCCCA cannot do anything to a provider if you have a complaint. You will need to contact Human Services. Some people think that calling doesn't make a difference, but this is incorrect. Human Services can only deal with a potential problem when concerned parents report them. Again, the availability of this information through a state regulatory agency is another huge benefit -- to both the parent and child -- of using a licensed provider.