How to Choose Quality Child Care for Infants and Toddlers
From ZERO TO THREE
What are the hallmarks of quality child care? How do you select a good caregiver? ZERO TO THREE has established some basic principles—discussed below—which define quality care for infants and toddlers.
More and more infants and toddlers are spending time each day in some type of child care setting. All children—especially infants and toddlers—need a child care setting where they can thrive with caregivers who understand how to promote their healthy growth and development. Young children need a schedule that is responsive to their needs, including appropriate stimulation and time to rest. They need to be talked to and played with. They need love and attention. And they need the opportunity to form the kind of comfortable, secure relationship with a caregiver that will nurture their healthy emotional development.
More and more infants and toddlers are spending time each day in some type of child care setting. All children—especially infants and toddlers—need a child care setting where they can thrive with caregivers who understand how to promote their healthy growth and development. Young children need a schedule that is responsive to their needs, including appropriate stimulation and time to rest. They need to be talked to and played with. They need love and attention. And they need the opportunity to form the kind of comfortable, secure relationship with a caregiver that will nurture their healthy emotional development.
A Good Caregiver...
Is Loving and Responsive
One who hugs, rocks, cuddles, seeks eye contact and enjoys the child…who responds to the baby’s smiles and emerging skills and interests…who finds ways to expand upon children’s play to help them learn new skills…who is sociable and interested in children. One who talks with the baby about what they do and see… a playful partner who introduces new ideas, objects and games… one who supports children in building relationships with other children and adults.
Respects the baby’s individuality
One who understands and nurtures babies’ development…who recognizes the baby’s personal rhythms, style, strengths, and limitations…and tunes into these when planning the pace and time for eating, sleeping and playing…one who is comfortable accommodating to children’s special needs or conditions.
Provides a stimulating and child-friendly environment
An area that is clean and safe so babies can explore their surroundings…filled with interesting and stimulating things to explore…set up to promote learning through free play…changed regularly to accommodate the needs of growing infants and toddlers…organized to have distinct eating and diapering areas and set up to be comfortable and practical for adults, allowing them to focus on the children.
Is Loving and Responsive
One who hugs, rocks, cuddles, seeks eye contact and enjoys the child…who responds to the baby’s smiles and emerging skills and interests…who finds ways to expand upon children’s play to help them learn new skills…who is sociable and interested in children. One who talks with the baby about what they do and see… a playful partner who introduces new ideas, objects and games… one who supports children in building relationships with other children and adults.
Respects the baby’s individuality
One who understands and nurtures babies’ development…who recognizes the baby’s personal rhythms, style, strengths, and limitations…and tunes into these when planning the pace and time for eating, sleeping and playing…one who is comfortable accommodating to children’s special needs or conditions.
Provides a stimulating and child-friendly environment
An area that is clean and safe so babies can explore their surroundings…filled with interesting and stimulating things to explore…set up to promote learning through free play…changed regularly to accommodate the needs of growing infants and toddlers…organized to have distinct eating and diapering areas and set up to be comfortable and practical for adults, allowing them to focus on the children.
