Communicating with Your Provider
Your provider should welcome all your questions and also be understanding of any mixed feelings you have about using child care.
- Ask for frequent and full updates on your child’s day.
- Let your provider know how your child is doing at home.
- Ask your provider questions as they can be a valuable resource on your child’s development.
- Discuss with your provider the best way and frequency of communicating with one another either by text, email, written daily notices or in a newsletter.
- Share with your provider information on your child’s routines, activities and preferences.
- Share with your provider your child’s favorite foods and any allergies.
- Keep your provider updated on all emergency contacts’ phone numbers and contact information.
Written Agreements and Contracts
- Your provider should provide written business policies (i.e., fee and payment schedule, inclement weather, sick child, parent visits, program closing, discipline procedures, field trips and transportation, safety procedures and disaster plans).
- Your provider should tell you in advance if they are going to change their hours or prices.
- Will your provider give at least one month’s notice if they are no longer going to care for your child?
- Will your provider give you two weeks’ notice if they will not be available to provide care, even if it is for just one day?
- Is there a written agreed upon drop-off and pick-up time?
- Is there a written agreed upon day when payment is due?
- How much advance notice will you give if your hours or days of care change?
Honesty, Trust and Respect
Expect your child care provider to:
- Make ONLY commitments they can keep.
- Tell you about any problems or accidents.
- Not discuss your child or family to friends or coworkers.
- Respect the personal decisions/beliefs of your family.
- Never take sides in any family disputes, such as custody battles.
- Keep personal beliefs private (i.e., religion, politics, family make up).
- Offer advice in a way that is supportive and non-critical.
- Report any suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Children and Families at once (as is required by law).
Your provider may expect you to:
- Ask questions, not make assumptions or quick conclusions when issues arise.
- Be open and truthful about how the child care arrangement is working.
- Respect the provider’s family time.