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Finding & Choosing Childcare

Office for Young Children - The Office for Young Children can provide you with a list of local childcare centers and homes. To get a listing of your childcare options within your community, please call OYC. The staff can help answer your questions, direct you to according resources and provide you with a list of childcare providers in your area.
Contact: (517) 887-4319 or 1-800-234-6996

Nanny Network - If you are looking for a professional nanny to come into your home, you may opt to go through a Nanny agency to help you.
Contact: (586) 739-2100

SpartanTrak - If you are interested in posting a childcare job opening online, please visit MonsterTrak or contact the Student Employment office at MSU.
Contact: (517) 355-9520
Location: 110 Student Services Building, East Lansing

MSU Family Helpers List - This is a list of MSU students who have expressed interest in babysitting, elder caregiving, tutoring, and/or pet/house sitting. Please note that while FRC has performed background checks, we have not requested references from these people or met them. It is the parents responsibility to ensure that they will make a suitable provider for your family. If you are a MSU student and would like to be added to this list, please check out the forms available at the link.

eNannySource - Families can search a comprehensive database for nannies in their home area for free. Families can also post listings for thousands of nannies to find them as well. eNanny Source has been an award-winning nanny agency since 1994.

Click here to view a comprehensive checklist on choosing a childcare provider from the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies.

Receiving referrals from the Office for Young Children is just one step in the process of choosing child care. Parents are encouraged to interview each potential provider and visit the care location in order to effectively evaluate their child care options. Consider which program makes you and your child feel the most comfortable and offers the most quality features. The physical environment, the range of activities and programs offered, and the personality of the provider will influence your decision. Note which program is most convenient to your home, work or school, and which program you can afford.

Part of the interview process involves observing the setting where your child will spend the day. Whether you choose a center or a home-care, parents should look for a healthy, comfortable environment. A professional, licensed provider will not be offended if you pay attention to the following elements in their child care facility or home:

BASICS:

  • What hours and days are you open? Can your facility handle drop-in and part-time care?
  • What ages of children do you care for?
  • What is the cost? Are there separate rates for full-time and part-time care? Do you charge a registration or special activities fee? Do you charge for sick/vacation days?
  • Is transportation available?
  • Do you provide meals and snacks? If so, please describe a typical meal or snack to me.
  • What do you and the children do during the day? Do you have certain routines that you follow? What kind of unscheduled activities might I expect my child to experience?
  • How do you handle behavior issues?
  • What will you do if my child becomes ill?
  • Please explain what child care means to you. Why did you enter the child care field?

ENVIRONMENT:

  • Is the facility geared toward children? Is it bright and cheerful?
  • Are toys and books within a child’s reach? Are there enough toys and books for all the children?
  • Is there space for active and quiet play?
  • Is there an outdoor play area that is fenced and secure? Is there outdoor play equipment?
  • When children are outside, does the provider take care to use sunscreen and insect repellant when appropriate? Are children dressed adeCan a child nap quietly and comfortably?
  • Are the staff warm and friendly with the children?
  • Do the staff listen and talk positively with the children?
  • In a home-care setting, what role will other family members play in the child’s care?

CHILDREN’S DISPOSITIONS:

  • Do children seem to like and trust the adults?
  • Do they seem happy and relaxed?
  • Do children talk freely with each other?
  • Do children relate well to each other? Are they enjoying themselves?

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT:

  • Are age-appropriate activities scheduled?
  • Does staff vary the activities and learning experiences based on interactions with the children?
  • Are infants playing outside their cribs? Is the play supervised?
  • Are children allowed to choose activities?
  • Are children’s questions answered openly?
  • Do staff offer children positive encouragement? Are children encouraged to solve problems and make decisions?

HEALTH AND SAFETY:

  • Is the facility clean inside and outdoors? Is it heated and cooled appropriately? Is it a smoke-free setting?
  • Have safety precautions been taken to child-proof the facility or home? Are medications and poisons in a locked cabinet? If firearms are kept on the premises, can you be assured the children are not in danger?
  • Are emergency procedures planned and posted?
  • Is drinking water within a child’s reach?
  • Do staff and children wash their hands before eating? Do staff members wash their hands and the changing area after diapering? Do they wash their hands after helping older children with toileting or personal hygiene?

STAFF QUALIFICATIONS:

  • What is the staff/child ratio per age group?
  • What kinds of experience and training do the staff have? How long have they been in the field of child care and how long have they been with this facility? Do you require staff to participate in continuing education and safety courses?
  • Is the facility accredited (which means their standards are above licensing)?
  • Do the staff have an understanding of and interest in children and how they grow? Do staff respect a child’s language, culture and abilities? Do they treat children fairly?

The bottom line is that parents should feel comfortable leaving their child with the provider they chose. The experts suggest that parents:

  • Personally interview each potential provider;
  • Ask for references and contact each reference;
  • Talk to other parents who have their children in that provider’s care;
  • Visit the location;
  • Verify if you will be allowed to visit your child anytime unannounced and if you will be able to speak to the staff daily; and
  • Ask if you will be allowed to participate in program activities.