May 2004
Policies and Paperwork -- Why Bother?
You decide to enroll your child in a child care program and find there's a stack of papers for you to read, fill out, and sign. Working parents have much to do. You think, "All I want is a safe place to take my child while I am working. I don't need more things to do.
Why bother?" Well, it is important for parents to know what to expect and caregivers need certain information to take good care of children.
- Quality child care programs have written policies about hours they are available, payment, sick and vacation days, late fees, etc. You need to understand these things before enrolling your child. Never sign a child care agreement without reading it. Keep copies for your file. Ask questions about anything that you do not understand.
- Be sure you understand the caregiver's sick child policies. Have a plan for emergency care.
- Provide your address and telephone numbers, both at home and at work.
- Emergency information is required to be on file. This includes medical information with the name, address, and telephone number of your child's medical provider. Sign the consent for medical treatment if you can't be reached. List health insurance information.
- You need to give the name, address, and telephone number of anyone who has your permission to pick up your child from child care.
- Review and update the information in the emergency file every six months or whenever there is a change.
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
Let's Go Outdoors
During the warmer months, children like to be outdoors. Creative caregivers find ways to do many things outside when the weather is nice. Does your child's caregiver take advantage of outdoor times?
Here are some appropriate outdoor activities
- Active play in a large, fenced-in area.
- Story times in a shady area in the yard.
- Fun with musical instruments and parades. Kids can make more noise outdoors!
- Housekeeping and dramatic play activities.
- Sand play and digging in the dirt. Sandboxes need to be covered when not in use.
- Picnics for snack and mealtimes.
- Art activities can be done outdoors. Cleaning up is easier!
- Water play and wading pools. *Please note: The American Academy of Pediatrics recently issued this warning: "Despite the fact that kids may develop some skills and become comfortable around water, that shouldn't be considered enough to keep them safe or drown-proof. Whenever infants and toddlers are in and around water, an adult should be no more than an arm's length away, close enough to provide touch supervision. Drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury and death in children under age four."
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
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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
