CU CARES: Childcare Answers, Resources & Educational Services

1. Checkout your childcare provider
   Obtain information about your childcare center including:
   • Past inspection records
   • Investigation reports if they exist
   • Copies and dates of any complaints
   • Letters of recommendation from other consumers

   Contact: Division of Childcare
   Colorado Department of Human Services
   1575 Sherman Street, 1st floor
   Denver, CO 80203
   303-866-5958 or 1-800-799-5876
   
   To review file in person, call the Division of childcare at least 72 hours in advance to make an appointment.
   
   To review file by mail, call the Division of childcare to obtain a request form for the file you want to review. The document will be sent to you within approximately two weeks. The charge is $.50 per page.



2. What to look for:
   • Activities (Variety, age-appropriate, engaging)
   • Atmosphere (Warm, welcoming, are you greeted, is information readily offered, or do there appear to be cliques among staff?)
   • Caregivers (Qualified, experienced?)
   • Children (Do they seem generally comfortable and happy?)
   • Cleanliness
   • Discipline (Positive discipline and positive reinforcements are used rather than excessive punishments)
   • Food (Healthy, nutritious food, at the right temperature)
   • License (Current and posted)
   • Staff to Child Ratios (Check your childcare provider to make sure they have enough staff to care for the children present.)

     Colorado State Regulations for Staff to Child Ratios in Childcare Centers
     

     AGES OF CHILDREN	NUMBER OF STAFF
     Infants 6 weeks to 18 months	1 staff member to 5 infants
     12 months to 36 months	1 staff member to 5 toddlers
     24 months to 36 months	1 staff member to 7 toddlers
     2 1/2 years to 3 years	1 staff member to 8 children
     3 years to 4 years	1 staff member to 10 children
     4 years to 5 years	1 staff member to 12 children
     5 years and older	1 staff member to 15 children
     mixed age group 2 to 6 years	1 staff member to 10 children

   • Respect of children by staff
   • Respect of parents by staff
   • Safety (Are cords and outlets well hidden and protected? is their plenty of room to walk without tripping?)
   • Space (Plenty of room to run, move, crawl, indoors and outdoors, are staff stepping over children?)
   • TV (Are children glued to the TV watching videos for excessive periods of time?)
   • Toys and materials (Good supply, age appropriate?)
   • Unannounced visits are encouraged



3. What to listen for:
   • Atmosphere (Do the children sound happy and involved?)
   • Caregivers (Does s/he listen closely to each child? use positive language when speaking to the children? use an appropriate and respectful tone of voice?)
   • Noise Level (Is the sound level appropriate – not too loud or too soft for the number of children present?)



4. What to ask:
   • Activities (Do children go on field trips? If so, who drives and what vehicles are used? how much time, if any, do children spend watching television/videos?)
   • Caregivers (What is the training and experience of the caregiver/staff? did training include first aid and CPR? how does the caregiver deal with behavioral issues? how are prescribed medicines for children handled?)
   • Communication (What communication about my child can I expect on an ongoing basis? will I be informed of both positive and negative happenings?)
   • Emergencies (What happens in the event of a medical emergency? in other types of emergencies?)
   • Facility (Is the facility accredited? Are copies of licensing, inspection reports, etc. available?)
   • Parental Involvement (What opportunities are there for parents to be involved? may I visit my child any time I choose?)
   • Scheduling (What dates is the center closed, i.e. for holidays or staff training? are alternative care times offered when the program is closed?)



5. What to be cautious of:
   Caregivers
   • Caregivers are unwilling or unable to share information about your child’s day.
   • Caregivers/teachers appear to dislike/not enjoy their work.
   Facility
   • The license is expired or no license is posted.
   • Health and safety concerns are not being addressed, e.g. hands are not washed after diapering and before meal times; cleaning supplies are not locked away; playground area/equipment appears unsafe.
   • References from current clients are not available.
   Parents
   • Parents are limited to visiting hours and are not encouraged to drop by unannounced.
   Staffing
   • Children are unsupervised or the posted adult/child ratios are not being met.
   • Staff turnover is ongoing and excessive.

• To download the Childcare Resource Guide as a PDF file, click here.