Compliments of Maine Children's Growth Council
Choosing a child care program is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. Your final choice will depend on many factors, and you will want to consider them carefully in order to best meet the needs of your child and your family.
Searching for child care can be a labor intensive process, but be assured that all the time you spend finding the right child care situation will be worth it. The best place to begin your search is by calling Child Care Opportunities Resource Development Center (RDC). Our experienced Resource and Referral Specialist can help you find a child care provider that meets your personnel needs and the needs of your child. The RDC will provide you with a list of child care programs in your area that best meet your needs and a packet of information that will assist you in your child care search.
Visit child care programs — the RDC will provide you with a list of licensed and legal child care providers that best meet your needs.
When you visit and consider a child care program it is important to ask questions around your needs and to determine if the program is a quality program.
Ask questions about these key indicators of quality:
- Adult to Child Ratio: Ask how many children there are for each adult. The fewer children for each adult, the better for your child.
- Group Size: Find out how many children are in the group. The smaller the group, the better.
- Provider/Caregiver/Staff Qualifications: Ask about the provider/caregiver staffs’ training and education. Ask if they are involved in activities to improve their skills. Do they attend classes, trainings or workshops?
- Quality for ME: Ask if the program is enrolled in Quality for ME administered by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
- Health and Safety: Ask what are the programs emergency procedures? Do they practice fire /or evacuation drills? What is the policy for administering medication? Are hands washed before eating or after diapering?
- Space and Environment: Based on your observation, is the space clean, safe and comfortable?
- Program Management: Ask if the program has written policies and contracts. How will we build effective communication? How would we settle disputes? Are parents encouraged to become involved in the program?
Click here to access a Child Care Checklist that you can bring with you when visiting programs. It will provide you with additional things to notice and questions to ask.
Check provider references
Child Care opportunities Resource Development Center does not make recommendations to specific child care providers. We can provide you with a list of licensed/legal child care providers who meet your needs. We suggest that you visit the child care program and check references. Ask the provider to for references and speak with other parents who that you may know you are using this provider.
Check for complaints
Because a program is licensed or certified by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services does not guarantee that they are a quality program. To find out if a program has had any reported or substantiated complaints contact the Child Care Licensing Unit at 1-207-287-9300. Licensing rules can also be viewed or printed on-line: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/occhs/cclicensing.htm.
Make a choice
Think about what you saw and heard at each visit as well as talking to references and make the best choice for your child and family.
Stay involved
The work isn’t over when you find good care for your child. You and your child’s caregiver are partners now.
Click here for a list of child care providers with Quality Certificates. For more information on choosing quality child care visit us at
Child Care Opportunities, Resource Development Center
18 Avery Lane Ellsworth, ME o4605
Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
You may also reach us by phone at:
207 667-2467 or 1 800-834-4378,
TTY 1 800 963-9490
