About the 4Cs
| Quality Care for Infants |
 |
 |
 |
|
Searching for quality care for your infant or toddler can be an overwhelming task, particularly for new parents. Fortunately, parents can draw on a wealth of information, developed by researchers and practitioners, on the characteristics of quality care for infants and toddlers. Families can first look for a program that offers activities designed to appeal to all of your baby’s developing senses. Materials may include soft toys, blocks, and items that can be taken apart and put back together. Look for caregivers who talk and sing to children, engaging them in listening to the world around them. Infants learn through physical movement, so it is important that the program prepare a safe place for infants to move about. You may want to ask yourself, 'Does this program feel safe, secure, warm, and comfortable for babies?' To ensure safety, the caregiver(s) should be able to see and hear all the babies in their care at one time. Consistency and routine are also important for children’s development at this stage, and should be the backbone of an infant/toddler program’s “curriculum.” The baby should have one primary caregiver at the program, allowing the child to bond to that adult and for the caregiver to become familiar with and responsive to that child’s rhythms and needs, creating and environment of care that is flexible and adaptable to that particular child. Continuity between home and the child care setting will also foster a safe, comfortable routine for your child, allowing the baby to develop trust in the arrangement. For this reason, look for a caregiver with an openness and eagerness for communication about the child, especially in the areas of feeding, toileting, and daily events. Babies pass through an important developmental milestone between 8 and 12 months. At this time, the infant may develop difficulty with transitions in the day between parents and caregivers. This is a normal phase in your baby’s development, however it may be advisable not to start a new child care program during this time. As with any program, parents should observe the adult-to-child ratios in the child care setting. In licensed family child care homes, providers can not have more than 4 infants (defined as children younger than 24 months old) at any one time. Licensed child care centers are required to have one adult for every 4 infants (defined as birth to 2 years old) and one adult for every 6 toddlers (2 years old to 36 months old). The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) further recommends that the group size be limited to no more than 8 infants or toddlers in one group. Our trained referral counselors are available to help you find infant and toddler care in your area and answer other questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us at 650-655-6777, or send us an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Further Links |