Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, April 3, 1990                   TAG: 9004030123
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Tammy Poole
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

QUICKLINE

Increased demand has resulted in a greater number of family and day-care centers, and there are more choices for the average parent.

The Consumer Information Center offers some guidelines to help you select the right day-care arrangements for your children and your particular situation.

Decide if you want your child near your home or near your work. Find out what day-care centers and family day-care homes are available in the area. Ask friends, your local school and library for advice. After receiving some names, begin your own evaluation. Make appointments to visit at least three centers or homes, and spend time asking questions as well as observing the children during their regular routines. Check to see whether the center or home is state-licensed, if it's required.

Inspect the centers carefully. Your child will be spending many hours in the one you select. The rooms should be well-lighted, safe, and in good repair. Is there a place for each child to keep his own things? Are meals served in a clean dining area, with proper utensils for children? Is the kitchen clean? On rainy days, is there space for the children to play? Take naps? Does each child have his own cot or crib? How about the outside play area? Is the yard fenced-in? Clear of trash? Is there outside play equipment?

Check out the ratio of children to adults. If staff members have too many children to care for, they won't be able to pay attention to important details. Find out whether each child's care is assigned to the same staff member each day. This continuity is important not only for the child's sense of security, but also for his or her physical health and safety. In other words, it assures that your child won't feel or be left out in a busy center or home.

Notice what kind of health information the center or home requests about your child. If the staff isn't asking about your child's health history, they may not have records on the other children either. In addition to immunization information, they should ask about the child's last physical exam, and any allergies or special health problems. They should also request the child's doctor's name and whom to call in an emergency.

Find out the policy regarding sick children and communicable childhood diseases. Staff members should observe each child daily for signs of illness. Those with severe illnesses should be separated from the other children until arrangements are made for them either to go home or be properly attended to. Different centers and homes draw the line about illness in different ways. What matters most is that a center or home does have a standard policy, and that it's followed. While a policy not to accept ill children can cause hassles for working parents, in the long run it ensures the health of your child and other children present.

Most importantly, choose a center or home in which you feel comfortable. Try to find a place that matches your values and standards. Visit for several hours if possible. Listen to what the staff members say to the children. Are they generally positive? Do the children appear busy, relaxed and happy? Notice whether the staff members spend more time talking to each other or interacting with the children.

Clearly understand the costs. How many days of care will you need for your child each week? What is the fee and what does it cover? Must you pay in advance? Do you pay for absent days? Holidays? Vacations? What about meals? What items are extra? Are there fees for tardy pick-up?

Quickline helps consumers get service, information and refunds of more than $25. Mail complaints, questions to Quickline, Roanoke Times & World-News, Box 2491, Roanoke name, address, phone number and photocopies of documents such as canceled checks, receipts or credit-card statements. Documents cannot be returned; complaints cannot be taken by phone. Questions not selected for use in the column will not be answered personally.