Child Care Packet

W o r k L i f e P r o g r a m s WorkLife • Wellness • Employee Assistance

www.purdue.edu/worklife 49-45461 or 49-47707 (EAP)

Fall 2008

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Introduction Page 3

Finding Quality Care Page 4-5

Choosing Safe and Healthy Child Care Page 6

Accreditation Page 7

Greater Lafayette Child Care Centers Page 8

Greater Lafayette Child Care Ministries Page 9

Program Quality Checklist Page 10-12

Information & Resources Page 13

Table of Contents

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Purdue WorkLife Programs has created this packet of information to assist employees in selecting child care in the Greater Lafayette area. Purdue WorkLife Programs can provide the following resources:

• General information about child care providers on campus and the Greater Lafayette area, including centers, ministries, accreditation, services and rates. • Tips for selecting the right program for your children.

If you have any questions concerning the contents of this packet, please contact Purdue WorkLife Programs at:

worklife@purdue.edu or

(765) 49-45461. Please note: Information provided by WorkLife Programs does not indicate endorsement of any particular child care provider and may change at any time. Employees should contact providers directly for details regarding services, current rate information, and specific services.

Introduction

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Choosing a child care provider can be one of the most important and influential decisions a parent makes. To assist you, follow these five steps for choosing quality child care for your child. Also refer to the Program Quality Checklist on pages 10-12.

1. Start Early. Start looking as far in advance as you can. No matter what type of care you are considering, finding the right child care option can take time. 2. Make a Call. Begin your search by calling your local experts—The Child Care Resource Network at (765)-742-7105 or (800)-932-3302. This organization

can give you the facts about child care and a list of child care options in your area that may meet your needs. In addition to what is in this brochure, make sure to ask the Child Care Resource Network these things:

• What are the licensing requirements in my area? • How can I get information about complaints and licensing violations? • Are there any child care financial assistance programs that my family qualifies for?

3. Visit and Ask Questions. Make sure you visit the child care options you are considering. Find out about these key indicators of quality:

• Adult to Child Ratio: Ask how many children there are for each adult. The fewer the children for each adult, the better for your child. The younger your child, the more important this is. According to the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (IAEYC), the state mandates as follows:

Finding Quality Child Care

Age of the Youngest Child in the Group

Maximum Number of Children Supervised by One Caregiver

Maximum Number of Children in One Group

Infant 4 8

Toddler 5 10

2 years 5 10

30—36 months 7 14

3 years 10 20

4 years 12 24

5 years and older 15 30

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• Group Size: Find out how many children are in the group. The smaller the group, the better. Determine if the group size meets your

individual needs and expectations. • Caregiver Qualifications: Ask about the caregivers’ training and education. Caregivers with degrees and/or special training in work-

ing with children will be better able to help your child learn. Are the caregivers involved in activities to improve their skills? Do they attend classes and workshops?

• Turnover: Check how long caregivers have been in business. It's best for the child to stay with the same caregiver at least a year.

Caregivers who come and go make it hard on your child. Getting used to new caregivers takes time and energy that could be spent on learning new things.

• Accreditation: Find out if the child care provider has been accredited by a national organization. Providers that are accredited have

met voluntary standards for child care that are higher than most state licensing requirements. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) at www.naeyc.org - and The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) at www.nafcc.org are the two largest organizations that accredit child care programs.

4. Make a Choice. Think about what you saw at each visit and make the best choice for your child and family.

5. Stay Involved. The work isn't over when you find good care for your child. You and your child’s caregiver are partners now. Here are some ways to be involved:

• Have parent-caregiver meetings regularly and ask questions. • Offer to volunteer time when needed, like participating in clean up days or parent advisory groups. • Be there for your child’s birthday party. • Visit your child at child care and read a book aloud. • Join in special events like field trips, Career Day, Black History Month, or other holidays.

Even if you can’t get time off from work during the day, you can still check in at drop-off and pick-up times. Ask the caregiver how things are going and how your child is doing. Visiting and participating in events at your child’s provider sends a strong message. It tells your child and your child’s caregiver that you think what your child is doing and learning is important.

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These five steps can help to ensure the health and safety of your child while in child care. Also refer to the Program Quality Check-list on pages 10-12. 1. Look. Visit several different child care programs before you decide which one is best for your family. Do they look safe? Are the

children supervised at all times, even while they are sleeping? Do all caregivers and children wash their hands often, especially before and after eating and after using the bathroom or changing diapers?

2. Check. Are toxic substances like cleaning supplies and pest killers kept away from children? Does the child care program have first aid kits? Does the child care program do practice fire drills once every month? Is the playground equipment safe, with no sharp edges, and kept in good shape? Does the child care program keep medication out of reach from children?

3. Count. Count the number of adults and the number of children they will each be supervising. Be certain there are enough adults to

supervise all of the different activities that are planned.

4. Ask. Ask about the training and experience of all adults who will be with your children. Do they have first aid and rescue breathing training? Are their discipline policies compatible with your philosophy? Are children able to choose among activities? What do the adults know about child development? Does the child care program have records noting that other children in care are up-to-date on all their required immunizations? Have all caregivers gone through a background check?

5. Be informed. Utilize the informational resources available through WorkLife Programs at 49-45461or www.purdue.edu/childcare.

Choosing Safe and Healthy Child Care

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What is accreditation? Accredited schools and centers voluntarily measure up to national standards of quality that have been established by national child care organizations. Programs that are accredited have gone beyond minimum licensing standards and have made a commitment to provide the kind of care, attention, and stimulating activities that you and your children require. Caregivers in many accredited programs take part in on-going child development training. Trained caregivers are more likely to understand children’s needs at different ages, plan appropriate activities, and interact with children in warm and stimulating ways. They are also more likely to provide positive guidance for children, rather than harsh discipline. These programs undergo in-depth self-assessments, independent observation and approval by professional experts. What is NAEYC accreditation? The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is the nation's largest and most influential organization of early childhood educators and others dedicated to improving the quality of programs for children from birth through third grade. NAEYC accreditation cites ten standards for providing a definition of quality for child care, preschools, and kindergarten programs: Standard 1: Relationships Standard 2: Curriculum Standard 3: Teaching Standard 4: Assessment of Child Progress Standard 5: Health Standard 6: Teachers Standard 7: Families Standard 8: Community Relationships Standard 9: Physical Environment Standard 10: Leadership and Management For additional information on NAEYC accreditation criteria and a breakdown of the ten standards visit: www.naeyc.org Resources in the Greater Lafayette Area On the following pages, you will find information about NAEYC and Non-NAEYC accredited programs in the Greater Lafayette community, including summaries of services, proximity to the Purdue campus, and contact information.

Accreditation

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CENTERS Address City

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Purdue UniversityBen & Maxine Miller Child Learning Center 1200 W. State Street WL n/a √ √ √ √ √ √ 494-0240 w w w .cfs.purdue.edu/cdfs/pages/childrens_progPatty Jischke Early Care & Education Center 90 Nimitz Drive WL n/a √ √ √ √ √ √ 743-6503 w w w .purdue.edu/childcarePurdue Child Development Lab 101 Gates Road (CDFS) WL n/a √ √ √ √ 494-2945 w w w .cfs.purdue.edu/cdfs/pages/childrens_progPurdue Village Preschool 250 Nimitz Drive WL n/a √ √ √ 494-2088 w w w .housing.purdue.edu/HTML/HOUSPurdueVillage.aspxWest LafayetteTippecanoe Co. Child Care -Wabash Landing 385 Brow n Street WL 0.5 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 746-2432 w w w .tcchildcare.comWonderful Weekdays - Happy Hollow 1200 N. Salisbury Street WL 1.25 √ √ √ √ √ 743-9374 w w w .home.comcast.net/!w w d.incKidz Company 180 Sagamore Pkw y W. WL 2.5 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 497-9484 w w w .kindercare.comMontessori School 2552 Soldiers Home Road WL 3 √ √ √ √ √ 464-1133 w w w .msgl.orgBurgett's Child Care Center 1788 US 52 West WL 3 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 463-1244 w w w .burgettschildcarecenter.comJust Us Kids, Inc. 1494 Kalberer Road WL 3.5 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 463-6129 w w w .justuskidsinc.comWonderful Weekdays -Cumberland 600 Cumberland Avenue WL 3.5 √ √ √ √ √ 463-2204 w w w .home.comcast.net/~w w d.incWonderful Weekdays - Klondike 3311 Klondike Road WL 4.5 √ √ √ √ √ 462-4404 w w w .home.comcast.net/~w w d.incLafayette - NorthHannah Community Center 1201 N. 18th Street L 2.25 √ √ √ 742-0191 w eb site under constructionTippecanoe Co. Child Care—Dennis Burton 1200 N 19th Street L 2.5 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 423-4906 w w w .tcchildcare.comKid's Connection 2000 Greenbush Street L 6 √ √ √ √ √ √ 423-5531 w w w .kidsconnection.netLafayette Central/DowntownBusy Day Preschool 623 S. 15th Street L 3 √ √ 429-6266 busydaylk@aol.comTippecanoe Co. Child Care - Dow ntow n 218 N. Ferry Street L 1.5 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 429-6798 w w w .tcchildcare.comLafayette - SouthCambridge Child Care 3850 Edw ard Way L 5 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 448-3600 w w w .justuskidsinc.comKinder Care Learning Center 2233 Brothers Drive L 5 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 474-3663 w w w .kindercare.comKinder Care Learning Center 1811 Brady Lane L 6 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 474-3522 w w w .kindercare.comBurgett's Child Care Center 3206 Daugherty Drive L 8.25 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 474-9494 w w w .burgettschildcarecenter.comLafayette - EastTippecanoe Co. Child Care - Sunshine Care 1107 S. 18th Street L 3.25 √ √ √ √ 477-6633 w w w .tcchildcare.comTippecanoe Co. Child Care - Durgan 1840 S. 18th Street L 4 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 477-2010 w w w .tcchildcare.comSIA Child Development Center 5500 St. Rd 38 E. L 12.5 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 772-7400 w w w .brighthorizon.com

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Ages Types of Care*

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MINISTRIES Address City Mile

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Phone Website / E-mailWest LafayetteVillage Nursery School 1700 S.R. 26 W. WL 1 √ √ √ √ √ √ 743-4039 w w w .fumcw l.org/villagenurseryschool.htmFederated Preschool 2400 Sycamore Lane WL 1.8 √ √ √ 463-5564Sonshine Preschool 1980 Lindberg Road WL 2.5 √ √ √ √ √ √ 463-7513 w w w .w lchristian.comBethel Child Care Ministry 2541 US 52 W. WL 4 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 463-3255 w w w .childcare.bethel-life.org

Cross Kids Daycare Ministry 6435 State Rd 43 N. WL 7 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 567-4231 w w w .greatschools.net/cgi-bin/in/private/4169Lafayette - NorthGrace United Methodist 615 N. 22nd Street L 2.5 √ √ √ √ √ 447-2204 gracedaycare@lafgraceumc.orgBethany Child Care & Preschool 3305 Longlois Drive L 3 √ √ √ 447-7044 w w w .greatschools.net/cgi-bin/in/private/4157First Church of God-Childcare/Preschool 426 S 16th Street L 3 √ √ √ √ √ 420-7979 w w w .greatschools.net/cgi-bin/in/private/4163Lafayette Central/Dow ntow nLafayette Urban Ministry 525 N. 4th Street L 1.5 √ √ 426-2691 w w w .lafayetteurbanministry.orgSt. James Church School 615 N. 8th Street L 1.5 √ √ √ 742-6464 job@stjameslaf.orgSt. Mary’s Preschool 1200 South Street L 1.5 √ √ √ √ 742-6302 w w w .lcss.org/StMary/home.aspxYWCA 605 N. 6th Street L 1.5 √ √ √ √ √ √ 742-0075 nengel@yw calsfayette.orgChildren of Promise 1322 How ell Street L 2 √ √ √ √ √ √ 742-4637 noneRight Start Preschool 31 N. 7th Street L 2 √ √ 742-8481 w w w .centralpreschurch.orgTlcc Preschool 2010 Congress Street L 3 √ √ √ √ √ √ 447-1443 kellygrayw ard@hotmail.comLafayette - SouthNoah’s Ark Preschool 1526 S. 18th Street, L 3.5 √ √ √ 474-6496 w w w .ucc-immanuel.orgFirst Assembly of God 108 Beck Lane L 5 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 477 5803 church@firstag.orgLittle Eagles Daycare Ministry 7525 S 775 E. L 15 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 523-2172 jajaalbright@aol.comYMCA—Kid’s Construction Coompany 1950 S. 18th Street L 4 √ √ √ √ 474-3448 w w w .lafayettefamilyymca.orgLafayette - EastFaith Christian School 5526 State Rd 26 E L 7 √ √ √ √ √ 447-2727 fcs@fcslafayette.org

Eastw ood Christian Church 5872 E 50 S. L 8.3 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 449-4444http://local.yahoo.com/info-16098328-eastw oods-christian-church-lafayette

Ages Types of Care

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This checklist provides guidelines when choosing a child care provider. It is recommended that you visit several different programs before choosing which one is the best for your family. Stay at least an hour to watch activities, check the surroundings, and ask questions. You can use the right side of this checklist to make notes on up to three child care programs.

Supervision Are children supervised at all times, even when they are sleeping? How do the caregivers discipline children? Hint: Discipline should be positive, clear, consistent, and fair.

Hand Washing and Diapering Do all caregivers and children wash their hands often, especially before eating and after using the bathroom and changing diapers?

Is the place where diapers are changed clean? Do caregivers always keep a hand on the child while diapering? Do caregivers remove the soiled diaper without dirtying any surface not already in contact with stool or urine?

Do caregivers clean and sanitize the surface after finishing the changing process? Hint: Hands should be scrubbed with soap and water for at least 10 seconds and then rinsed and dried. The water faucet should be turned off with a paper towel.

Director Qualifications Does the director have a bachelor’s degree in a child-related field? Has the director worked in child care for at least two years? Does the director understand what children need to grow and learn? Lead Teacher Qualifications Does the lead teacher have a bachelor’s degree in a child-related field? Has the teacher worked in child care for at least one year? Does the teacher give children lessons and toys that are right for their ages?

How many children are being cared for in the child care center? How many caregivers are there? Hint: Your child will get more attention if each caregiver has fewer children to take care of. The younger the children are, the more caregivers there should be. For example, the infant-to-adult ration should be no more than one adult per four infants.

Child Staff Ratio and Group Size

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3

Center Name:

Program Quality Checklist

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Caregivers/Teachers Do the caregivers/teachers seem to really like children? Do the caregivers/teachers get down on each child's level to speak to the child? Are children greeted when they arrive? Are children's needs quickly met even when things get busy? Are the caregivers/teachers trained in CPR, first aid, and early childhood education? Are the caregivers/teachers involved in continuing education programs? Does the program keep up with children's changing interests? Will the caregivers/teachers always be ready to answer your questions? Will the caregivers/teachers tell you what your child is doing every day? Are parents' ideas welcomed? Are there ways for you to get involved? Do the caregivers/teachers and children enjoy being together? Have they participated in early childhood development classes?

Is there a daily balance of play time, story time, activity time and nap time? Are the activities right for each age group? Are there enough toys and learning materials for the number of children? Are toys clean, safe, and within reach of children? Setting Is the atmosphere bright and pleasant? Are there different areas for resting, quiet play and active play? Is there enough space for the children in all of these areas?

Is there a fenced-in outdoor play area with a variety of safe equipment? Can the caregivers/teachers see the entire playground at all times?

If there is a sandbox, is it clean? Is the playground inspected for safety often? Is the playground equipment safe, with no sharp edges, and kept in good shape? Are the soil and playground surfaces checked often for dangerous substances and hazards?

Is the equipment the right size and type for the age of the children who use it? Child Abuse Can caregivers be seen by others at all times, so a child is never alone with one caregiver?

Have all caregivers gone through a background check? Have all caregivers been trained how to prevent child abuse, how to recognize signs of child abuse, and how to report suspected child abuse?

Activities

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3

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Staff Training and First Aid Have caregivers been trained on how to keep children healthy and safe from injury and illness?

Do they know how to do first aid and rescue breathing? Have they been trained to understand and meet the needs of children of different ages? Immunizations Is your child up-to-date on all of the required immunizations? Does the child care program have records noting that the other children are up-to-date on all their required immunizations?

Toxic Substances Are toxic supplies like cleaning supplies and pest killers kept away from children? Has the building been checked for dangerous substances like radon, lead, and asbestos? Is poison control information posted? Emergency Plan Does the child care program have an emergency plan if a child is injured, sick or lost? Does the child care program have first aid kits? Does the child care program have information about who to contact in an emergency? Fire Drills Does the child care program have a plan in case of a disaster like a fire, tornado, flood, blizzard or earthquake?

Does the child care program do practice drills once every month? Medications Does the child care program keep medication out of reach from children? Are the caregivers trained and the medications labeled to make sure the right child gets the right amount of the right medication at the right time?

In General Do you agree with the discipline practices? Do you hear the sounds of happy children? Are children comforted when needed? Is the program licensed or regulated? Are surprise visits by parents encouraged? Will your child be happy there?

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3

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CAMPUS Purdue WorkLife Programs — Child Care Information / Lactation Support Services 1402 W. State Street—PWF West Lafayette, IN 47907 765-494-5461 worklife@purdue.edu www.purdue.edu/childcare Purdue Working Parents Club — Information, Education, Support, and Networking for working Purdue parents For more information, contact: www.Meetup.com and click on “Organized By” to reach the current Meetup Organizer Purdue Staff Benefits — Dependent Care Spending Account 401 S. Grant Street West Lafayette, IN 47907 765-494-1779 staff-benefits@purdue.edu www.purdue.edu/benefits GREATER LAFAYETTE AREA The Child Care Resource Network 1100 Elizabeth Street, Suite 1 Lafayette, IN 47904 765-742-7105 / 800-932-3302, ext. 101 vmatney@thechildcareresourcenetwork.org STATEWIDE For locating child care providers and financial assistance in Indiana, contact: www.in.gov.fssa.carefinder

Information & Resources