Choosing the Right Care for Your Child
Choosing good child care is important. Safe and positive child care sets the stage for healthy growth and development. It takes time, patience and an understanding of what to look for when selecting child care.
Learn about different child care options and visit sites before making a decision. Call and make an appointment. Look around the child care setting carefully. Watch how the children and adults relate with one another. Ask questions. Listen. Check references and licensing records.
Once you have selected a child care setting and your child is in care, keep asking questions. Always check to make sure the program meets the needs of your family. It’s a lot of work, but your child is worth it.
Other resourses that can help include: [wpfilebase tag=fileurl id=37 linktext=’Six Quality Indicators To Consider’ /] (information on group size, ratios, health and safety, and other indicators to consider when choosing child care). Group size and Ratio can have a positive impact on the overall quality of early and school-age care and the experiences that children have in those programs. Smaller group size is important in maintaining proper supervision, quality care and enough one-on-one attention for each child.
To Find Child Care online contact ACAP Child Care Resource and Referral at 518-873-3207 ext. 236 or go to: http://ocfs.ny.gov/main/childcare/looking.asp. OCFS is the direct link to conducting an online search for child care in your area. To download an application click here: Child Care Referral Form, or an application can be picked up at our main office at 7572 Court Street, Elizabethtown between 8:00am and 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. Completed forms may be mailed to ACAP Child Care, PO Box 848, Elizabethtown, NY 12932 or faxed to 518-873-6845.
Financial Assistance
If you pay someone to watch your child or disabled family member you may be able to deduct part or all of these expenses from your taxes. On your Federal Taxes you may qualify for Child and Dependent Care Credit of up to 35% of the cost of day care. To find out more information on how to apply go to: http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Child-and-Dependent-Care-Information. On State taxes, New York State Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit allows families to reduce the amount of tax they owe or even get money back from New York State. For more information on how to apply go to: http://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/credits/child_and_dependent_care_credit.htm.
Working families with children may also be eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. Visit the IRS website at: http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/EITC-Home-Page–It%E2%80%99s-easier-than-ever-to-find-out-if-you-qualify-for-EITC to find out if you qualify. Also check with your employer to see if they offer a flexible spending account that can be used for child care.
Parents should also check with providers to see if they offer a family rate or sliding scale based on income, or check to see if children are eligible for Head Start or Pre-Schools located in your communities. See below for information on Subsidies.
Resources
Check out the links below for more information on choosing child care and the different types of child care available. To find out more information about each topic, click on the links provided.
- NACCRRA (National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies). NACCRRA is the direct link to conducting an online search for child care in your area.
- OCFS (Office of Children and Family Services): provides information and tips on choosing the right child care.
- For information of Subsidy, or Federal and State Financial Assistance programs go to:Essex County Department of Social Services or to determine if you are eligible for Child Care Subsidy please contact the Department of Social Services Subsidy Coordinator Mary Stanley at 873-3441
Do You Suspect Abuse or Maltreatment?
Report it Now By Calling the Child Abuse Hotline: at 1-800-342-3720