Photo By Jessica Wagner
Firm Foundation teacher Ashley Merritt pours apple juice for child care student Camden Davis. All of the teachers at this child care facility are first aid, CPR and infant certified.
Partnership for Children of Sampson County executive director Victoria Byrd, expanded, “For most parents, it is a difficult experience to be separated from their children during the work day. The assurance of knowing that their children are in a safe and secure environment allows them to focus on their environment requirements, rather than worrying about their child’s safety.”
In order to assist the parents in finding a suitable establishment, child care resource and referral resource center specialist Velma Frederick helps to stream line the agencies through a referral program — Child Care Choices of Sampson County, which is ran through the Partnership.
As noted in an information packet made available through Frederick, “Child Care Choices does not license, endorse or recommend any particular form of child care or any particular provider. However, a list of child care providers will be maintained that the Child Care Choices office and made available to parents seeking child care.”
Once a parent has informed Frederick with a hierarchy of important criteria, she will refer typically three child care agencies that best matched the parents needs. This is performed through the N.C. Division of Child Development database.
Byrd gave the example that if a parent was looking for a second shift amenity, three facilities would be located that offer this need. Following this step, Byrd conveyed, “It then becomes the parents responsibility to ask questions, meet with teachers and perform surprise visits.”
Because the Partnership for Children officials do not know the children as well as the parents do, it is their responsibility, according to officials, to find a child care provider that meets their needs.
“All children are different,” community awareness manager Melinda Holland voiced.
“All families are different,” Byrd furthered.
Once the parent has met with the child care providers, if none were deemed suitable to the parents, than a list of three more are provided.
“It is understandable that with the increased awareness the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies recently promoted in their Jan. 27 press release, parents may feel a heightened level of apprehension regarding their child’s placement in a child care setting,” Byrd took note of.
However, she added that there are several ways “parents can be assured their child’s placement is safe and that their child is in a place where they can grow and develop the skills needed to be successful in school and life.”
“First,” Byrd began, “one of the most important actions is to make certain that parents make an informed decision regarding child care. The best way for that to happen is to visit several settings and ask lots of questions such as what the child will be doing during the day, ask about meals, ask what the child-teacher ratio is and tour the facility.”
However, for local Sampson County resident Ranea Brock, who has a five-year-old in child care, asking questions are important but, she does not feel it should be all on the parents, meaning a parent should not have to ask about the sanitation level; it should be provided.
While Brock does not feel asking questions should fall solely on the parents, she does agree that finding a suitable environment is the parents responsibility.
Since her daughter has been in a day care facility from the age of six weeks, Brock wanted to find a place with a secure atmosphere, much like her first center.
“Good child care centers are scarce. Some I didn’t go to because of what my friends said about them and others because of what I saw. One facility had all the children in one room separated by furniture.”
According to Brock, the first thing she looked for in a provider was safety.
“Safety was a big thing because I didn’t know the people to begin with. I wanted to feel comfortable with them because if I didn’t, then I could only imagine how she (her daughter) felt,” Brock explained.
She also commented that she looked for teachers who were educated.
“Some places just hire anyone off the street. I don’t like that. Day care is like a pre-school — they learn things. Teachers should want to be there, not just because they have to be.”
Secondly, Byrd continued, that parents should look for the state licensing document.
“North Carolina is a leader in creating a Star Rated License System so parents can easily recognize that state’s determination of a program’s quality through the number of stars displayed on their license document. If the license is not visible, ask to see it. Stars range from one to five, with five being the designation for a high quality program. Programs receive a state inspection visit at least once a year and more if that licensing consultant feels it is warranted.”
Hilder Surles of Hilders Day Care stressed the importance for the parents to check credentials and “do their homework.”
“I have an open door policy where parents can come in whenever they need to,” Surles told.
She also noted that her handbook is available, equipment is checked and a fire drill is performed every month.
Child care provider Rhonda Parker of Firm Foundations, voiced that they “have never received a complaint” on their services.
“All of the girls are first aid, CPR and infant certified. Our sanitation records are posted, and the teachers are enrolled in continues courses on child development,” Parker added.
Byrd’s final advise was for parents to never hesitate in asking the child care provider questions about their child’s day or to express concerns they may have.
“When it comes to our children, there are no stupid questions. As parents, we are the voices for their safety and for their education. Becoming an advocate for our children’s education begins with child care,” Byrd concluded.
The child care providers and parent were picked by random. Several facilities and parents were contacted; however, regrettably did not return a call prior to press time.
Jessica Wagner can be contacted at (910) 592-8137 ext.122 or reached by e-mail at siphoto@intrstar.net
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