• Does the teacher talk to the children in an appropriate way? Does she pay attention to them and listen to them?
• What is her method of disciplining children? Does she yell at them? Physical punishment is not allowed in a child care center; if you see a child being spanked, hit or shaken, report it to the director immediately. Report the incident to childcare licensing through the local Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.
• Look for a teacher who seems to enjoy what she is doing? Does she smile at the children and laugh with them? Does she give hugs, pats on the back and allow children to sit on her lap? A loving atmosphere in the room will help your child adjust.
• Infant teachers should hold, cuddle and rock babies. Babies should not be left in their cribs for long when they are awake. Playing on the floor is an important way for infants to learn about their worlds. Babies also need to go outside daily. Fresh air is good for them.
• Be wary of a center where children are crying for long and no one goes to the child to provide comfort. Children cry for a reason and teachers should know what that reason is. Being new at a center is a very bad reason to let a child cry.
• Look for teachers who understand the different developmental levels children go through and know what is "normal" for the age range she is working with.
• Count the number of children each teacher is responsible for. There is a staff to child ratio that the center may not exceed. If you have questions about the number of children a teacher is supervising, ask to see a copy of the Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers. Each center is required to have this by law.

Once you feel comfortable with the teacher, take a look at the room. Ask yourself the following:

• Does the room seem like a fun place to be? Would you want to spend up to twelve hours a day there?
• Are there a variety of activities for the children to do? Are they stimulating or boring?
• Is the room safe? Are there any obvious safety hazards such a cleaning supplies accessible to the children? Are children prevented from engaging in unsafe activities?
• The room should be neat and orderly? Children need to know where things belong and how to put them away. Neatness and order teach discipline.
• There should be a place in each room where children can get away from it all, such as a cozy corner, bean bag chairs, etc.
• The room should be set up in learning centers, such as art, dramatic play, discovery/science, blocks, music and other creative scenarios. There should be enough toys so that children can play without fighting.
• Toys should be stored on shelves; all pieces and parts should be available. Broken toys should be thrown away if they are not fixable. Toy chests are not appropriate.

Don’t forget that children need to go outside daily, even during cold weather. No, they won’t catch colds this way! Viruses, not cold weather, cause colds. Unlike adults who tend to stand still, children run around outside so they don’t feel cold the way we do. If they are dressed appropriately, they will be fine. School age children have special needs, too. Look for the following:

• A large room just for them. School-age children need lots of room and a small room with lots of kids just won’t do.
• Toys and games should be geared for school-age children and should not be leftover preschool toys.
• Furniture should be sized for them. It isn’t fun to sit in a little pre-school chair when you are too big for it.
• Children should not have to do homework if they don’t want to. Children need to unwind after a busy school day, and they need time to play. However, a place for homework should be provided so the child can work on it if he/she chooses.
• The teacher in this room really needs to be energetic. She needs to be willing to be involved in outside games. She also needs good organizational skills because she will undoubtedly be caring for a large group of kids.

For all age groups, check the daily menu, which should be posted. Centers are required to serve a morning and afternoon snack and lunch. The menu should be well balanced and enjoyed by the children. Children should be given seconds and should not be forced to eat anything. Finally, once you have placed your child in care, continue to drop in occasionally. Get to know your child’s teacher and share information about your child with her. When there are problems, which is common, don’t be afraid to talk to the teacher about them. Remember, no one can possibly do things exactly the way you would do them at home. Overlook small things, but for more serious issues, talk to the director. Most problems can easily be resolved. However, if you are really unhappy, don’t be afraid to move your child to a different center. Not every center can meet the needs of every child. By doing a little checking around, you can find a happy solution to the day care dilemma.