Choose Summer Childcare

Finding childcare is rarely an easy task. Slots at childcare facilities, including daycares, in-home care, and summer day camps, fill up fast, and you have a number of factors to consider. The first step is to find options in the area, and then you can narrow them down by checking out the quality of each one. If you do decide on a summer day camp, you have a few extra things to take into consideration, too.

Steps

Finding Summer Childcare Options in Your Area

1. Start early. Summer childcare and summer camps fill up quickly, so it's important to start looking early. You can start looking as early as January for the summer. In fact, it wouldn't hurt to start earlier if you know places fill up fast in your area.
2. Contact a local referral agency. Many agencies can help you find childcare in the summer, and you likely have an agency nearby. One network of agencies is called the Child Care Resources and Referral network. You can call and ask questions, or you can use their online database to help you find childcare.
   • You can call Child Care Aware at 1(800) 424-2246 to be connected to a local resource agency.
3. Ask friends and family for recommendations. If you're a parent, you likely know other parents with kids the same age who are in the same boat. Ask around to see where other parents are sending their kids for the summer. You may find a place you hadn't considered before.
4. Check with local organizations. Many kid-focused organizations offer either daycare or summer camps for kids. For instance, organizations like the Y.M.C.A., the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts, and the Boys and Girls Club all offer summer programs that may be a good fit for your kids. Other places you might look include park and rec departments and schools.

Checking for Quality

1. Look at the fees and what's included. Of course, price shouldn't be the only consideration when choosing childcare. However, you do need to be able to afford it. Check your budget, and decide what you can pay comfortably. When you're looking at daycares and camps, check to see what's included, so you don't have surprise expenses. For instance, some programs include meals and excursions in the tuition while others don't include them.
2. Look at the adult-to-child ratio. When picking a childcare, it's essential to see how many adults they have caring for the children. Children as young as four do okay in a ratio of ten kids to a single adult, but babies need at least one adult for every four babies.
   • Pay attention to how the kids are grouped. Even if the adult-to-child ratio is good, large groups can be more chaotic than smaller groups.
3. Discuss the staff. When assessing a childcare program, it's important to ask about the staff. You can ask what kind of qualifications they have, for instance, as some daycares have staff with child development training.
   • Also ask about turnover. Stability is important for your children. Also, high turnover can show an issue with the program.
4. Check for licensing and accreditation. State licensing makes sure the daycare provides a minimal amount of care. If you want to make sure your daycare is held to a higher standard, look for accreditation from organizations such as the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
   • For summer camps, accreditation is a bit different. While not every high-quality camp is accredited, almost all accredited camps are high quality. Talk to a representative from the camp to see if they are accredited by the American Camp Association.
   • If the camp isn't accredited, that doesn't automatically mean it's terrible. However, you should do more investigating before deciding on that camp.
5. Consider location. Childcare needs to be somewhat convenient for you. If you have to drive 30 minutes each way to pick up and drop off your child, you're likely not going to be happy about it. Plus, you're more likely to run late or have issues being to the daycare or your work on time.
6. Visit in person. Whatever kind of childcare you decide on, from in-home childcare and childcare centers to a summer camp, go to the facility in person before making a decision. Look for things like appropriate supervision, cleanliness, and safety.

Looking at Other Factors for Summer Camps

1. Check for a scholarship program. It's a good idea to check if a camp has a scholarship program even if you don't need it. A scholarship program indicates the camp focuses on being inclusive and creating community.
2. Consider the camp's history. While longevity isn't everything, it does say something about how the camp is run. That is, a camp wouldn't have stayed in business for years if it had major issues. Longevity can be a plus.
3. Incorporate your kids' interests. Many day camps have a particular focus, such as academics, sports, art, or music. Picking one that focuses on something your kid loves will keep them happier, making you happier in turn.
   • Other camps may focus on several activities. That's fine, as long as they give kids some choice in what they want to do.
4. Ask about the spirit of the camp. That is, each camp has its own personality, and your kid needs to mesh with that. Some camps encourage competition, while others focus more on community building, for instance. Talk to a representative from the camp to see what philosophy they follow.
5. Decide if your child is ready for a co-ed camp. Some camps are all-boys or all-girls, while other camps are co-ed. Really, the decision is up to you about what you think is best for your child, but each type of camp will have a different environment.

Sources and Citations

See also

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• Organize a Diaper Bag
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• Calm Hyperactive Children
• Increase Weight in Children
• Develop a Child Care Philosophy
• Start a Home Daycare Center
• Stop Living Through Your Child
• Unspoil a Child