Ten Common Courtesies Child Care Providers Appreciate from Families

1. Open communication. Explain clearly and carefully your wishes and expectations regarding your child’s care. Also provide updates on the concerns and progress your child is making.

2. Agree on policies and arrangements. You should fully understand the terms and arrangements of the child care provider. A written contract between the child care provider and family is recommended.

3. Honesty and trust. Although you need to be concerned about safeguarding your child, you should still trust your child care provider. When concerns develop, show your trust by asking questions rather than jumping to conclusions.

4. Advance notice of and agreement to any changes. Child care providers deserve reasonable notice if you are going to be late arriving or picking up your child, discontinuing services, taking a vacation or changing your hours.

5. Responsibility. When you provide diapers, formula, a change of clothes, or other supplies, you should bring them before they are needed and label them with your child’s name.

6. Secure alternative child care arrangements. Alternative child care will be necessary for those times when your child care provider cannot care for your child. These may include when your child is ill, when the child care provider becomes ill, or during holidays, or vacations. Discuss with your child care provider the procedure for handling these times and be ready to make alternative arrangements if necessary.

7. Payment on time. Child care providers are professionals that operate a business. They pay expenses and rely on your fee payment to pay salaries, utilities, food, etc.

8. Respect. Child care programs and child care providers invest resources in the environment and equipment. Please model and teach your child how to respect and care for other people’s personal property and equipment.

9. Understanding. Children who spend hours every day with a child care provider come to love that person. That love doesn’t diminish the love the child feels for you.

10. Appreciation and support. There is a great need to keep quality child care providers in the profession. Say “thank you.” Demonstrate your appreciation for your child care provider with cards, flowers or small gifts, a bonus, or volunteer your services.