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Group Child Care Homes |
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Group child care homes are child care programs usually operated by two providers in his/her own home. Some parents prefer group child care environments for their children because they tend to be more home-like and have mixed-age groupings. Group child care may also offer:
When looking for a group child care provider, it’s important to be comfortable with the home, the children, and the caregiver. When you visit a group child care program, look at the activities the children are doing, see how the children fit in with the rest of the family and the other children in care, check out the space the children have to play in, and ask a lot of questions. In Montana, group child care homes are required to be registered. You should look for a situation where there are no more than 12 children for two adults (unless the provider is approved to accommodate four additional children during a 3-hour overlap period). The number of children under the age of two should be limited to six or fewer. To check on provider-to-child ratios in Montana, go to the National Child Care Information Center website and click on Montana. Finding the right caregiver takes times and patience. You need to evaluate the caregiver's qualifications, check references, and meet with the provider several times. All child care providers in Montana are required to have 8 hours of training per year in the early childhood field and be certified in First Aid and CPR. Ask the provider about any additional training or education they may have. Most of all, you need to feel comfortable with the person and trust that he or she is committed to providing the best care for your child.
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This page last updated on
Monday, November 13, 2006 |
