Episode 20: Provider Requirements & What to look for in a childcare provider?
- Brief Summary of objectives (3):
- OBJECTIVE 1: Identifying the essentials for a provider.
- OBJECTIVE 2: Discussing facility requirements.
- OBJECTIVE 3: Understanding how to operate a program.
- Topic 1: Training, Accreditations and Affiliations
- Point 1 Training - DECAL requires 10 continuing education hours per year. Those trainings are in infant care, physical development, nutrition, class behavior and lesson plans just to name a few. The training focuses on child development in early childhood to after school age children. The provider chooses the best topic that’s specific to their program and specific needs. First Aid/CPR/AED training every 2 years depending on the provider. American Heart Association and Red Cross Require 2-year recertification. There is also a criminal background component that checks nationally and that is done through the licensing agency, DECAL (https://www.decal.ga.gov/ ). As a parent, be sure to ask about their training and ask to see them. If the provider is offended, that may not be the right childcare provider for you. Also, look on the state licensing website to see their latest licensing visit. Do your homework and ask other parents. It’s okay to ask for references too. A parent should ask about First Aid/CPR Training (Why would it be important for parents to ask if a childcare facility has a FA/CPR training?) and the parent needs CPR training too. Things happen at home as well as at daycare. (Would you say this helps a family be more prepared within their home for an emergency situation)
- Point 2 Georgia has rolled out some incentivized accreditations/certifications. Quality Rated is a credentialing tool used by DECAL to access the quality level of each childcare facility. There are grants available to assist childcare facilities in obtaining Quality Rated status. There are three different tiers in becoming Quality Rated. There are different perks available for each level. The best benefit to a provider being Quality Rated is knowing that the program has been evaluated and research-based learning standards are being used. Another benefit is the state childcare tuition assistance for families. Georgia has a Child and Parent Services Program in which it supplements childcare fees for parents that qualify. For a facility to be reimbursed by CAPS, the facility must have a Quality Rating Score. Depending on the tier, the facility will be reimbursed at a higher rate. This is a win for the provider and the parent. Parents can ask if the provider takes CAPS.
- As a parent why is it important that a childcare center is continuing certifications and staying on top of their accreditations?
- Point 3 Being affiliated with local and state childcare groups is helpful and important. I would strongly recommend joining a childcare resource and referral agency. This agency provides training and support mostly free or at a very discounted rate. The agency hosts conferences to help providers obtain their continuing education units, offer grants for supplies and much more. If you are located in Georgia, the local UGA Extension has resources for your training. ServSafe® certification for those larger childcare facilities is a certification you can seek to receive from a UGA Extension Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) Agent. I would recommend joining NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children - https://www.naeyc.org/ ) and if you are in Georgia when you join you are automatically joining GAEYC, which is the Georgia affiliate. Both organizations work with local, state, and national officials to change policy and advocate for childcare providers. NAEYC sends out information on new teaching techniques and strategies being offered and implemented around the country. It is important for childcare providers to network and collaborate with others in their profession. This is an excellent way to share knowledge and support from others in the field. Parents can ask providers about affiliations if it’s important to them. Some parents are looking for someone to keep them safe, happy and fed.
- Topic 2: Environment, Space and Materials
- Point 1: Making sure the facility is in a good environment. It may be challenging in this day and time but evaluate the neighborhood and crime rate. The outside area should be well kept and clean. You want to make sure the outside is taken care of to prevent unwanted rodents. For example, if the grass is unkept it can hide snakes and/or ant beds. Also, make sure the fencing is secure to keep little ones in and other things out. The use of child friendly colors and learning materials displayed around the room. The outside and inside both need to be appealing. Parents can ask about the response time if 911 was called.
- Point 2 On the inside (space), observe the walls for holes, cracks or peeling paint. These particles are dangerous if swallowed. Check outlets and light fixtures to be sure they have covers. The facility needs to be well lit, but the bulbs need to be covered. A loose ball could hit a light and cause hot glass from the bulb to shatter onto the floor. I’ve seen this several times with ceiling fan light fixtures. Someone removed the protective globe and didn’t replace it. Also making sure there is enough space for children to move freely. There needs to be 35 sq ft of space per child. Designated spaces for reading, painting, and building blocks. You don’t want the block area with trucks and cars next to a quiet reading area. Make sure the space has flow that makes sense. Parents should ask questions about animals and firearms.
- Point 3 The materials should represent the population of children in care. What this means is that there are a variety of age-appropriate toys for each age group. Smaller pieces should be kept in a separate space away from the infants. For example, there needs to be hard blocks and soft blocks for the toddlers. The infants need soft blocks. The dolls for the infants are soft and just the right size to fit into their hands. The dolls for the older toddlers may have arms and legs that they can manipulate for sitting and standing. It is important to offer both age groups the same type of toys, but it is a material that is not harmful if it’s stepped on or mouthed. Infants put everything in their mouth. So, their toy needs to be safe without paint coming off or a part breaking. All age groups need books for opening their worlds. The infants need cloth or rubber books while the preschoolers need to turn pages. Observing the materials in the space is appropriate for each age group. There should be multiple toys for every child and every age group. Parents should ask to see the space or area where their child will be kept, sometimes things are misrepresented.
- Topic 3: Program Operations-Curriculum, policies and procedures, DECAL rules
- Point 1 Curriculum should be based on the Georgia Early Learning Department Standards otherwise known as GELDS. There are 5 areas of learning within the GELDS. These are physical development and motor skills, communication & language, social & emotional development, approaches to play and learning, and cognitive development and general knowledge. Each of these 5 areas are broken down further into what I like to call subjects and those subjects have objectives. For example, let’s look at the physical development and motor skills area. Within this area of learning there are 3 “subjects”. Those are health and well-being, motor skills and use of senses. If we’re trying to teach an 18-month-old how to go up and down stairs. The GELDS would provide the standard, rationale, and examples for each child specific to his/her age. This is helpful for the provider and the parent to know what to expect, and it takes the guesswork out of the equation.
- Point 2 Policies and procedures is a must for every business. I’m not sure that everyone acknowledges that childcare is a profession and we’re not babysitters. With, there are rules that parents need to adhere to. Also, there are standards that childcare providers need to follow. Policies and procedures let both parties know what is to be expected. Parents should expect that their children will remain safe and participate in learning exercises throughout the day. The provider should expect parents to bring their children in good health on time, pay when required and pick up their children prior to closing. Policies and procedures establish the foundation for your business.
- Point 3 DECAL rules should be reviewed often. Sometimes the rules change, or providers become unfamiliar with a particular age group requirement. For example, providers are not allowed to prepare bottles. However, a parent asks you to prepare her infant's bottle and you agree to the request. Later, you review the rules regarding infants and remember that you are not allowed to prepare bottles. You must go back and apologize to the parent and explain why you cannot do what they requested. Sometimes it’s hard to say no, but it will keep you safe as a provider. It’s tight, but it's right! A consistent review of the DECAL rules gets the stress to a minimum when licensing agents come out to monitor. You don’t have to wonder or be anxious about following the correct procedures. I look at it as this, these rules were written as a result of an injury or to prevent an injury this is why you want to be in compliance as much as I can. We all have not seen an ant bed or missed the expiration date on the antibiotic ointment from time to time. However, being familiar with DECAL rules helps with efficiency and compliance.
- Recap:
- OBJECTIVE 1 What were the essentials in a provider?
- OBJECTIVE 2 What are facility requirements?
- OBJECTIVE 3 How to operate a program?
- Call to action: Encourage you to visit the facility, get other parents, get their decal
