It’s our 45th anniversary! 45 years of community service and support: 1981-2026
Tour To Be Sure
Evaluate the program. Visit the program at different times of the day. Use all five senses…look around to see if staff are actively engaged with the children. Does the site appear clean? Do the children sound happy? Communicate with the potential child care provider about parenting styles and your expectations of the child care facility. Write down questions in advance so nothing important is forgotten.
Call 1-800-521-KIDS (5437) or 518-426-7181 Monday-Friday 9am – 5pm
As you think about child care, visit, ask questions then decide. Download the NYS OCFS Checklist
Review our touring tips – three ways to look at a potential program.
Make the most of your visits. Download Child Care Aware of America’s checklist for Choosing Child Care.
If you are able, schedule three visits with your potential child care provider. With each visit, be sure to:
Your first visit will most likely be after hours or during quiet time. This will allow you to have the providers’ undivided attention. Be sure to use this time to interview your potential provider. Ask questions and get a feel for the staff and environment of the program.
Come back when children are present and active during program hours. Observe what’s going on when children are learning, playing, and interacting with one another.
Ask your potential provider if you can bring your little one with you on this visit and see how they play along with the other children and staff. This will help you ease into their first day and give both you and your little one peace of mind once you have selected your new child care program.
Caregivers in child care centers, school-age programs, and registered/licensed family child care programs, must receive a minimum of thirty hours of educational training every two years, fifteen hours of which must be completed during their first six months of employment in a center or school-age program. In family child care programs, providers must complete fifteen hours of training during the first six months of program registration or licensing. Low staff turnover is another indicator of quality. Although turnover in the field of child care can be high, it’s best if children can be with the same caregiver for a year.
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