December 2004

When Relatives or Neighbors Provide Child Care

Are you thinking of having a relative, neighbor, or friend care for your child while you work? This can be a good choice. You already know the person and so does your child. Their home may be near yours. Your child may be used to going there.

Think about these things ahead of time to prevent possible problems later on:

Find out how much it will cost and when you will be expected to pay. Relatives and friends have bills to pay, too, and will need their payment on time.
Make sure to give the person your work schedule, including travel time to and from work to see if that fits with her schedule. Give your child's caregiver phone numbers where you can be reached at all times.
Think about what kind of child care arrangements you will make if your caregiver is sick or on vacation.
Ask how many children your relative, friend, or neighbor is watching. If it's four or more, not including her own children, she will need a certificate of registration from the Department of Pubic Welfare. Providers who care for more than six children, not including their own, must have a license from DPW.
Take your child for a visit and have your relative or friend spend time one-on-one with her. Step back a little and see how they get along.
Are your child-rearing ideas the same? Find out about discipline. Make sure you both agree on this issue.
See what kinds of playthings are available. Are they appropriate for your child's age?
Talk about a daily schedule. Be sure there is time for both active and quiet play.
There should be a safe area for your child to play outside.
Will nutritious meals and snacks be provided?
Where will your child nap?
See if medicines and toxic cleaning materials are in locked cabinets.
Any guns, weapons, or ammunition must be stored separately in locked cabinets.

The Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension Better Kid Care Program has information on children's issues for early childhood educators, child care providers, and parents on the Better Kid Care Web site at: www.betterkidcare.psu.edu

What's Going on at Child Care?

Your child will spend many hours at child care while you work. Do you know what he will be doing all day? Have you seen the play areas? Children need to play to learn. They need to be safe. Outdoor play is important. Make sure the program has safe areas for outside activities. See if the activities are right for your child.

Children need active play. They need large spaces to run, jump, and climb inside and outside. There should always be enough adult supervision. Play equipment needs to be in good shape and anchored to the ground. Make sure there are no sharp edges. See if there is cushioning material under climbing and swinging equipment.

Toys and play equipment can be simple, but should be right for the ages of the children. Basic things like blocks, puzzles, balls, art materials, and lots of books are needed for children. Broken toys need to be thrown away. Art materials, such as paints, markers, and crayons, should be non-toxic.

Toys should be cleaned and disinfected regularly to keep germs away. This is even more important for items used by babies and toddlers, who are always putting things in their mouths. Cleaning toys can prevent colds from spreading.

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Nancy Wilson, Better Kid Care Program Assistant
Penn State Better Kid Care Program
253 Easterly Parkway
State College, PA 16801
e-mail: naw6@psu.edu
Phone: 814-863-5880
Fax: 814-865-7893