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Contents 1 United States Child Care Referral Service 2 Questions to ask your new caregiver 3 Communication 4 Environment 5 Parent to Caregiver

[edit] United States Child Care Referral Service

Here's a list of Child Care referral services around United States. Also, these referral are usually free. Stay at home moms can also use these referral services if they want a break for weekday or weekend babysitting.

AlabamaAlaskaArizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam-list of daycares Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas KentuckyLouisiana-list of care facilities Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska-child care association Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Ohio Rhode Island- list of providers South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Virgin Islands- Child care contacts Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

[edit] Questions to ask your new caregiver

• If the child falls asleep where will they sleep?
• Do you have any pets?
• How will you discipline them?
• Are you married?
• What does your husband do?
• What are your rates?
• How long have you been watching kids?
• Are their any vacancies for your child or children ages?
• What are the ages of the children in care?
• Have you ever commited a crime against a child?

[edit] Communication

Finding a caregiver that gives the child praise so that the child gains confidence. A child that has a constant relationship with a caregiver will have a strong bond with the caregiver where the caregiver will be able to respond to the child’s individuality. This is especially so with infants and toddlers who cannot communicate their feelings. On the subject of books babysitters that read and or sing songs that helps develop communication and a love of books will help the child with school. When a crying child gets ignored this also creates a dangerous situation. A caregiver that gives a daily progress of your child’s behavior is something you would look for too.

[edit] Environment

Caregivers giving the option of multi-cultural environment with books and dolls that depict different cultures is something you would want to see. Caregivers that leave the child unattended when they are sleep or playing is a dangerous environment. Of course, it goes without saying that a clean environment is always safest. Also, notice if the babysitter is returning your child to you without dirty diapers. An environment issue that you would want to put on your checklist is are their a lot of broken furniture and toys. Parents with toddlers should find out if there is any outdoor playing, because toddlers are learning to navigate their bodies and need room to run and play outdoors. A group of 12 children to 1 adult with 6 toddlers is a safe group environment where the caregiver is not stressed with too many children

[edit] Parent to Caregiver

Do you have a comfortable relationship with the Babysitter? A caregiver with an open door policy is a safe option. A caregiver that encourages parents comments and ideas is something to look for too.

Warning

People running unlicensed daycare can be taken to jail.

Find registered and convicted sex offenders

Most states don't have a specific age in which you can leave the child home alone, but in Illinois it is under the age of 14 and in Maryland it is under the age of 8.