Quality Indicators: What to Look For

You want to find a child care or after-school program that will provide the very best care for your child. Here are some basic quality indicators that you should look for.

Health and Safety: Licensed programs (both centers and homes) meet the state's health and safety standards. For a Provider Compliance History Check use the address below. This process can verify substantial complaints or current non-compliance issues. Families need to allow at least 30 days for a response. There is a nominal administrative cost for this service.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Child Care Licensing and Registration
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 200
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
Phone: (785) 296-1270
Fax: (785) 296-0803
email: Child Care Facilities Inspections and Licensing Section

Group Sizes: Some children thrive in a large group setting, while others need the quiet and comfort of a smaller group. You should look for an environment that most closely matches your child's personality and needs.

Ratios: The younger the child, the more one-on-one care he/she may need. Find out what the child/adult ratio is in each child care facility you visit.

Caregiver Education and Turnover: An important indicator of quality is the level of education and continuing professional development that the child care provider has. In addition, low staff turnover provides consistency of care for children.

Accreditation: Generally, being an accredited program means they comply with national standards that are usually higher than minimum state regulations.

Family Involvement: Quality programs work closely with parents to ensure that they are kept informed about their child's development, and that they offer family members both planned and unplanned opportunities to observe and participate in activities.