Your Child Deserves an Informed Choice
Will my child be safe? How much attention will my child get? Who can I trust? These questions and many others make choosing child care among the most important, intimidating decisions you'll ever make as a parent.
In addition to considering location, licensing and affordability, Collaborative for Children recommends taking our Child Care Checklist with you when you explore options. The more you know, the more confidence you'll have in your decision.
Child Care Checklist
- Visit more than one program.
- Ask about the staff’s training, education and experience.
- Observe the caregiver’s interaction with the children.
- Look at the children. Do they seem happy and involved?
- While you are visiting, talk clearly about your child’s strengths and qualities.
- Tell the teacher or care provider about your child, his or her routine, likes, dislikes, what makes him or her happy or sad.
- Be honest about what your child needs, including any special assistance, diet or equipment.
- Be willing to help the staff by sharing information from the child’s care plan or from any specialists (pediatrician, social worker, therapist) already working with you and your child.
- Be willing to help solve problems that might come up.
- Remember that you know your child better than anyone else. Stand up for your child’s rights and trust your knowledge and your ability to share what you have learned about your child.
Click here for our expanded Child Care Check List, which includes in-depth exploration of safety, activities, quality factors and parent involvement.
Child Care Choices
Find out more about which care option may be right for your child.
Preschool for ALL
A joint project of Collaborative for Children and The Center for Houston's Future, the strategic planning affiliate of the Greater Houston Partnership, has involved over 100 community members from the early childhood, public education, business, government, and philanthropic communities to expand access to quality preschool programs to all 3- and 4-year-old children in the greater Houston area.
Preschool for ALL's exclusive mapping site provides information, in a user-friendly format, to help you search for and identify preschool programs and schools in your area. Our mapping section has been designed for three types of audiences:
- Parents - Search by Zip Code or ISD
- Preschool providers or schools - Search by Zip Code, ISD or Head Start Region
- Policymakers and researchers - Search by Zip Code, ISD, Head Start Region, Census Tract, County, State Senatorial or Representative District, Harris County Commissioner District or Houston City Council District
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