If you are considering a family day home, you will want to ask about the operator's commitment, e.g. how long has the day home been open and are there any plans to close it in the near future. Consistency is important for your child's well-being and sense of security.

• Visit the facility
   - preferably at a time when you can see adults and children interacting.
• Meet with the director operator and ask questions.
   - talk about staffing, the program, environment and parental involvement, as well as discipline methods.

A good child care centre should have a low staff turnover. Ask what training and experience staff have.

The Program

The program is the heart of any centre or family day home. It sets the tone for what your child will be doing during the day.

A good program consists of:

• Choice of activities - quiet and vigorous
• Activities that are appropriate to the child's age and developmental level
• Regular, supervised rest period
• Play opportunities that give a child a variety of choices such as storytelling, arts and crafts, and outdoor time
• Regular field trips and outings
• Are you comfortable with the policies regarding nap time, discipline and toilet training? Ensure no forms of corporal punishment, threats, raised voices, shame or humiliation are permitted. Positive reinforcement ensures that a child's self esteem will grow

Environment and Equipment

Check to see if the facility you are considering is:

• Bright, clean and attractive
• Has plenty of natural light
• Children's artwork is displayed
• Playground is fenced and free from hazards
• There are enough toys and equipment for the number of children enrolled

Every child care centre should have activity areas that promote play, creativity and learning. These are some things to look for:

• Library area - books in a quiet corner with soft cushions or rugs for curling up on
• Building area with blocks, cars, trucks
• Dramatic play area - clothes, props for pretend play
• Quiet area - small table toys, puzzles, play dough
• Physical activity area - structures to climb on, indoor and outdoor toys

Family day homes do not need to have specific areas set up but should provide the same opportunities for the children.

Equipment should be suitable for the child's age, in good repair and readily accessible to the children.

The Child care Services Unit monitors all licensed facilities on a regular basis. You can ask the operator to see the facility's inspection report.