Show Opinion 18 Crossword 20 t The Herald Journal Logan Utah Wednesday April 10 1996 to finding mpulse buying may net you a bargain new suit or the car of your dreams but when it comes to selecting child care don’t do it Finding the right care provider for your child is process that takes time Time to determine what your needs are time to research how to find the people who can best meet those needs time to make a match between a business deal you can work with and the quality of nurturing care you feel good about Before placing your child in someone else’s hands make sure you’re armed with the know-ho- w to make the arrangement a success “Ignorance is not bliss in this case You've got too great an investment” said Mary Bissonctte director of Child and Family Focus a child care resource and referral organization “We’re setting up a child for life and we have to realize how important that is” flic child care you select can indeed play a role in your child’s emerging personality so it’s important to choose it wisely And although parents know what’s best for their children going by gut feelings alone may not be enough “I think you should go on your instincts based on knowledge” Bissonctte said noting that gathering information is the best key to your search So where do you suit? Bissonctte said Child and Family Focus is a good place The center formed in 1994 serves Cache Box Elder and Rich counties It is one of six centers in the state that helps parents find child care by supplying information from iu data base of 200 providers It also offers training to providers and conducts outreach and child care awareness programs in the community Alter you’ve identified your child care needs (for example desired hours and price range) you can call the center and it will give you a list of compatible providers to pursue 0 “Instead of calling providers you can call five that you know already have what you need” Bissonctte said The center will answer questions from parents during their search but ultimately the decision lies with the family “We don't recommend we believe in parent choice" Bissonettc said “Not every child care provider is meant for every person every 15-2- Child care keys Here ere some keys to a successful child cere search ottered by ChSd end Famfy Focus: Read meterW on how to choose qusMy chid cars Deckte what your chid cars needs are: Wwt dsys and hours do you need care? wnai locBDon mow oonYWwnir What can you allbni to spend on chid care? WnOI ViO ODniniwWy 088 iMnM Wwln and church contacts resource: A parent cars needs and give Do a telephone CMd and FamSy Focus is another counselor wM discuss your child you a M of ptoddsm Interview wkh each of toe names you collect Set up an appointment with only the pnrddws too meat your needs Vial at toast tores providers Ask tor retersnoes and csf them Cal toe Offcs of Licensing See V the chid care provider has had any complaints The numbers are: Cache and Rich counties to! tree in Utah Select cate FoSowip by dropping In unannounced to see how your chad to doing Continue to observe carsdafy child” It's no surprise then that there are several types of child care available What to ask The Utah Office of Chid Care and Child and Family Focus suggest tosse general questions to ask when v you screen a provider by phone Confer care ' ArsyouBoenaad? What are your hours? Whst is your yearty schedule? Whet are your fees? Are there pnooni onvpMf - Do you have written hformadon you oouM sand? Do you provtda mania diapers Ssnsportstion to nearby schools for- mule sic? How many chldrsn are at toe can- tos? What to Vie average educational of your teaching staff? beckpound - Please tel me about your daily eshedUtoandaetivftiee Whet to your center's phlosophy? How ere parents toduded to yor program? Whs! to yos television poky? VKt to yovr policy for tick chl-dre- n? Story by: Jcrnffor K Match P cto Susfraflan by: M3ch k'asccro Sat ASK c Page It First of all some providers are licensed by the state To be licensed means providers adhere to minimum standards of behavior such as maintain-in- g set adult to child ratios receiving training and undergoing criminal screenings The facilities in which they provide care must also meet certain guidelines In Utah any person or institution that receives payment for presiding care on a continuing basis for four or more children under age 14 for more than four hours a day must be licensed “There are good people out there who aren't licensed but at least you know the ones who are licensed have training in child development and CPR and take courses during the year" Bissonctte said Licensed child care takes on different forms Licensed child care centers are full-da- y programs caring for more than 12 children in a group usually located in community buildings built specifically for child care A 1995 status report on child care in Utah states there are six such centers in Cache County with slots for 419 children The Utah Office of Child Care says advantages of centers are that they offer planned activities opportunities for your child to socialize with peers and long-tercare possibilities (infant through school-age- ) Disadvantages arc that multiple staff relationships and turnover may be disruptive to a child and e the child may spend a long day in a m non-hom- See CARE on Page Thursday Religion: LOS President to speak in Logan Features: 752-212- 1 It |