Infant and Toddler Care
Infant Care
Early experiences set the foundation for children's lifelong success. Parents are children's first and most influential teachers, but many working parents rely on child care to help provide the experiences their children need to be healthy, happy and ready for school.
Studies show that children who are in quality child care enter school with stronger language, math and social skills. Quality infant child care is extremly important.
Toddler Care
Toddlers are starting to learn and desire independence. They are trying to do more things by themselves; mastering walking, talking and toileting, along with learning many physical, cognitive, and social skills. This can be a challenge to both parents and caregivers. Day cares that offer a vairiety of activities for toddlers, using large and small motor ("hands-on") activities, multi-sensory and social experiences, while being guided by an adult are generally preferable and serve to enhance the toddler's increasing independence and knowledge.
What to consider when choosing a child care program:
Choosing the best care for your child can be a difficult task. Research the different types of child care (family, group family, center or school age) and decide which type best fits the needs of your child and family. You may want to check out more than one type of care. Then decide where the care should be located (closer to home or work?).
Visit the website, if applicable.
If the child care has a website, some basic information can be ascertained.
Once you have some of your basic questions answered, a visit to the child care is imperative.
Visit the child care facility and consider the following:
- Is the program safe, clean and free of health hazards?
- Is there enough room for children to play indoors and outdoors?
- Is there a variety of activities that seem appropriate for my child's age group?
- Is the children's work displayed?
- Do the caregivers appear happy, knowledgeable and friendly?
- Are the caregivers interacting with the children in a positive way?
- Are there enough caregivers to supervise the children?
- What are the policies and procedures?
- Is there a contract? If so, does it fit with my needs?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the care your child is receiving, you need additional information about child care, or if you need child care for your infant or toddler, please contact our Referral Department at 845-473-4141, x 221 or e-mail services@childcaredutchess.org
