When evaluating child care programs, start by asking yourself the following questions:

Is the program State Licensed or County Certified? The State of Wisconsin requires providers who care for four or more unrelated children to be licensed. Child Care Resource & Referral provides referrals to all regulated programs in Calumet, Outagamie and Waupaca Counties. Call 1-800-749-KIDS or 920-734-0966 and ask to speak with a Referral Specialist to begin your search for regulated child care programs.

LOOK - Begin by visiting several regulated child care homes and/or centers. Visit more than once, at different times of the day, to get a picture of what goes on. The child care environment should be safe, clean and attractive. It may look a little cluttered, but it should not be dirty. See if toys and equipment are stored at a child's level, and that medicine and cleaning products are out of reach. Look for different kinds of play activities that fit your child's age. See if the caregivers enjoy talking and playing with the children.

LISTEN - Find out what the child care setting sounds like. Listen for children who sound happy and involved and caregivers who sound cheerful and patient. A place that is too quiet may mean not enough activity. A place that is too noisy may mean that there is lack of control.

COUNT - Count the number of children in the group. Count the number of staff members caring for them. In the State of Wisconsin, the caregiver to child ratio in a Group Center (licensed to care for nine or more children) is as follows:

In the State of Wisconsin, licensed family child care providers may care for a maximum of eight children. Call Child Care Resource & Referral, 920-886-1211 for more information concerning ratios and maximum group size in family child care programs.

QUALITY - Factors that contribute to high quality child care include:

(1) training of caregivers

(2) enough caregivers per child

(3) small groups

(4) consistent staff/low turnover

In addition, quality child care programs pay active attention to health and safety, respect all families and encourage parent participation in the program and offer time for staff development and planning.

Over 170,000 Wisconsin children are in licensed child care settings. Licensing specialists inspect programs and family child care homes, and will respond to complaints from the public if there are alleged violations. Be sure to let someone else know if you have concerns about what you see in a licensed program. You may report concerns without giving your name. Call the nearest licensing field office to report complaints or to learn about the level of complaints or violations in any licensed program.