WCCCC About CCR&R

West Central Child Care Connection can help families in their search for child care. Parents may call to speak to a trained Child Care Specialist. The specialist will provide you with information on:

Locating child care providers to meet your family's specific needs.
What to look for in a quality child care center or home.
Determining if your family is eligible for the IDHS Child Care Assistance program to help pay for child care.

It is important for parents to speak directly with a child care specialist to help determine specific child care needs of the family. Depending on the family’s size and income, a yearly fee of $0 - $30 may be charged for the referral service. The family will be given a list of child care providers and options tailored for them, as well as other information and resources to help them as they choose a child care provider.

WCCCC provides parents with a list of referrals only and can not endorse or recommend one child care provider over another.

Referral lines are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (217)222-2550 or 1-800-782-7318.

Types of Child Care

*Licensing Regulations: A license means that the provider has met the State of Illinois’ minimum standards for care. The licensing agency in Illinois is the Department of Children and Family Services.

CHILD CARE CENTERS

Child care centers provide full or part-time child care in a group setting with planned activities. Most often licensed by the state, they must meet minimal health, safety and staffing requirements.

Children are grouped together by age, with activities planned especially for that age level. Each classroom has materials and activities which support a planned curriculum.

There is usually a range of experience and education among the staff. All staff who have contact with the children are subject to a background check for criminal activity. Centers provide substitutes during staff absences or vacations.

FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES

Family child care is provided for children in the home of the caregiver. Usually, family child care providers are parents themselves. In Illinois, family child care providers who care for more than three children, including their own, are required to be licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

Family child care offers a blending of ages. Each child has the opportunity to relate to a few other children of different ages- some younger and some older.

A family child care provider may often times be in your neighborhood and may be able to make flexible arrangements. A few providers are available to care for children whose parents work at night or on weekends when centers are not usually open.

PRESCHOOLS

Preschools (or nursery schools) offer group programs for primarily 3 to 5 year old children for a part of the day on specified days of the week. Most follow the school calendar and do not operate during school holidays, vacations, snow days or summer months.

Preschools can be licensed by DCFS under the same regulations as day care centers.

LICENSE EXEMPT

If the family child care provider cares for 3 or fewer children (including their own), or the children from one family, the provider is not required to be licensed. A license exempt family child care provider must be registered with West Central Child Care Connection in order to be referred by the organization. Other license exempt situations may include: in-home care, relative care, or some church and/or educational sponsored child care programs.

SCHOOL-AGE PROGRAMS

School-age programs offer child care before and after school, and for holidays, snowdays, and summer vacation. The families can include child care centers, elementary schools, community centers, family child care homes, parks and playgrounds.

The Search for Child Care

Finding convenient, affordable, quality child care may take a lot of time.

If at all possible, plan ahead. If you suddenly discover that you will need child care next week, however, don’t panic. Try to visit a few providers and compare what you like and don’t like about them. If you can, make temporary arrangements until you can find permanent care, then you won’t feel rushed to make a decision. Choosing child care in hurry or deciding on someone you feel uneasy about, may result in a situation that won’t work and you’ll have to start again. Perhaps you could ask a relative or neighbor if she or he would be willing to help you out or contact a local college to see about a student baby-sitter. Trust your instincts.

Child care in many communities is scarce. Waiting lists exist at many day care centers, especially if they take infants and toddlers. Family day care is hard to locate because few providers need to advertise and market their services. Some state and federal agencies sponsor financial assistance for child care but these programs are limited and often have long waiting lists.

You may have to expand your search by considering a different type of care, a different location or higher fees. Give yourself at least four to six weeks to arrange care. Try to plan for your child to be in the same care for a year or two, but your first choice in child care does not have to last forever. What may be a fine situation for an infant may not meet the needs of your child at age 2.

Consider also what you will do when your child is sick and when your provider cannot take your child. Planning ahead for these situations will help prevent a crisis from occurring.

MAKING CONTACTS

You can establish your initial contact by telephone. Remember to be considerate about the time you call; child care providers are busy people and may not have time for long conversations with you during working hours. Ask if it is a convenient moment to answer a few questions.

Have your questions prepared for the things you want to know about. Points to discuss would include openings, hours, policies, start date and cost. Add to this the other things that are important to you.

If you feel comfortable with the provider and would like additional information, arrange for a visit.

THE VISIT

If at all possible, arrange to visit the program or provider during operational hours. This will give you the opportunity to see what the children do, how the caregiver responds to them, and how your child and the caregiver react. You should observe and find out about the following:

THE TEACHER OR FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDER- Who will be caring for your child? Is there a substitute in case the home provider is unable to care for the children?
THE SPACE- Where will your child spend his or her time? Look at both indoor and outdoor spaces.
THE PROGRAM- What will your child be doing during the day?

Not every child care situation will be right for you. Trying to evaluate or classify all the information can be overwhelming. A checklist has been included to help you sort through the information and assist you in selecting the child care most suitable for you.

After your visit, feel free to call back at another time to ask more questions and/or discuss how the provider may feel about accepting your child in the program. A second visit without your child will allow you time to discuss any specific concerns or arrangements regarding your child’s care.

Quality Indicators

THE CAREGIVER

The provider allows drop in visits.
The caregiver appears to be warm, friendly, calm and loving, and seems to enjoy children.
The provider understands what children can do and want to do at different stages of growth. The provider encourages and understands child development.
Children are allowed to make choices.
The provider talks with the children and encourages them to express themselves through words and creative activities.
The provider holds and touches the children in a caring manner and responds to an infant’s cries to be fed, changed, or held.
The caregiver handle conflicts without losing patience or displaying anger. Children are encouraged to resolve conflicts between themselves in an acceptable manner.
The provider sets limits in a way that does not punish or shame children, and has policies for discipline, toilet training and feeding that are acceptable to you.
The provider uses a positive reinforcement approach when disciplining and guiding children.
The provider has previous experience or training in working with children at different stages.
The provider is someone who listens to what you want for your child and asks questions about how you do things.
The provider has explained about the possibility of different caregivers for your child if care crosses different shifts.
Your child responds well to the provider. Each child receives individual attention.
You can you expect the same person to care for your child for the next year.
The provider is flexible and understanding enough to work with the various moods of the children.

THE SPACE

An up-to-date license is posted.
The environment is attractive, clean and well-lit.
The play area is orderly enough to foster constructive play but not so orderly to be restrictive.
There is a variety of equipment and materials to help children learn and grow mentally & physically.
Children can reach materials and supplies without asking for adult assistance.
The educational equipment and surroundings reflect ethnic and cultural diversity.
The cribs, high chairs and other equipment are safe, suitable and in good condition.
There is a place for the child if he/she chooses to be alone.
There is enough space indoors and outdoors so all the children can move freely and safely, and different kinds of space are available for quiet play.
The outdoor space is free of waste, protected from traffic and safe for all ages to play.
There is a place for a child’s own belongings.
There a proper sleeping place for nap time.
There are first aid supplies and fire extinguishers.
The provider is trained in CPR and first aid.
Bathroom and diapering areas are separate and sanitized. There is water nearby for hand washing.
The kitchen is clean and safe.
The meals and snacks are fresh, nutritious and appealing.

THE PROGRAM

There is time for children to work as a group.
There is time to play alone and also to interact with friends.
The teacher/provider has described what a typical day’s schedule might be like for your child.
The schedule shows active and quiet times throughout the day.
The cost is within your budget, and what the fee includes is clearly explained.
The values of the program are compatible with your values.
Parents are involved in the program.
The educational program and philosophy are clearly stated.
The hours are suitable for your needs.
How children may be transportation has been discussed.
The group sizes and child to staff ratio is acceptable.

CHECK REFERENCES

Calling references is an important way to get more information. Ask for names of two or four parents who are using or have used the provider in the past.

MAKING YOUR DECISION: TRUST YOURSELF

After considering all the information you have collected, you are ready to make a decision. You have a right to be particular. This special place for your child should leave you feeling at ease with the provider and the other children. If you feel hesitant about a situation, ask more questions or continue to look until you are confident that your decision will result in good care for your child. You know your child best, so let your parenting instincts be your best guide.

DOES THE PROGRAM FIT?
You may find that despite careful research and observation, the program you choose is not a good fit with your child. It may be hard to admit there are problems and that you’ll need to reopen your search, but it is essential that both you and your child are happy with the program.

WHAT ABOUT SPECIAL NEEDS?

The Americans with Disabilities Act assures that children with special needs will be considered for admission into child care programs. Your decision will be based on what is available in the community, how specialized your child’s care may be, and what you think will work best for your child and you.

Prepare Your Child

The introductory period in any child care arrangement is a big change for both you and your child. It can be a very emotional experience for both, but with some advance planning the transition can be easier. Time spent helping your child through a gentle separation can prevent problems later, and can get all of you off to a good start. Some ways to help a smooth transition are:

Talk to your child about the new arrangement and what the days will be like.
Plan to spend time in the child care arrangement with your child prior to the day when you actually begin care full-time. Start part-time if possible.
Try to feel and act positively toward the new experience.
Make sure the provider knows about your child’s special items for comfort (a pacifier, bottle, blanket, stuffed animal)- and make sure they are available.
Give your child a photograph of you and your family to take along.
Say goodbye directly to your child and the provider each day. Never sneak away while your child is involved in play.
The first week, you may find it best to leave the child soon after arriving, and then phone the provider after you have arrived at work to see how your child is doing. Saying long good-byes can often be more difficult for all concerned.

Making it Work

Quality child care for your child depends on both you and your caregiver. Share information with the caregiver about your child’s needs, interests, problems, personality- anything that will help the caregiver provide the best care for your child.

If the caregiver has concerns about your child, listen without being defensive and be willing to talk it over.

Remember, you and the caregiver are not competing for your child’s affection. No one can replace you. But the caregiver is an important person in your child’s life. Both you and the caregiver want the same thing: to do all you can to help your child grow to be a happy, caring, whole human being.

10 Things Your Child Care Provider Should Expect From You

Open Communication. Explain clearly and carefully your wishes and expectations about your child’s care. Also provide updates on problems and progress your child is making.
Agreement on terms or arrangements including payment or fee schedule. Your should fully understand the expectations of the provider and what you as a parent are agreeing to. A written agreement between the provider and parents is usually helpful for both parties. Make arrangements to see they get their pay on time. If you agree to provide diapers, formula or other supplies, you should bring them before they are needed.
Honesty and trust. Although you need to be concerned about safe guarding your child, you should still trust your child care provider. Show your trust by asking questions rather than jumping to conclusions when apparent problems develop.
Advance notice of and agreement to any changes. Providers deserve advance notice if you are going to stop using their services, take a vacation or change your hours. And, if you expect a month or six weeks notice if the provider can no longer care for your child, you owe the provider similar notice.
Pick up on time and follow through on all agreements. Providers have personal lives too, and they should be able to expect that you will pick your child up at the agreed-upon time. Arrange your schedule so you can be on time and definitely call ahead if you’re going to be late. Remember, it is much easier on your child if you arrive and leave on time.
Not to send sick kids. Agree with your child care provider in advance about when you can and cannot bring a sick child.
Payment on time and no “rubber” checks. Child care providers have to pay the rent and buy food too, so make arrangements to see that they get their pay on time.
Respect. Realize that taking care of children is a job and the child care provider is a worker- often a working parent, just as you are. Understand the demanding job the provider has. Show that you appreciate the important role she plays in your family’s lives. (A verbal thank-you, a note, or homemade treats go a long way!)
No jealousy. Try not to be jealous of your child’s attachment to child care providers. Children who spend hours every day with a provider come to love that person. That love doesn’t diminish the love the child feels for you.
No Surprises. Your child care providers shouldn’t learn on Friday that you have decided to take next week off from work so you won’t need her or pay her either. Child care providers don’t like surprises any better than parents do.