Helpful Tips when Searching for Childcare in Texas

Finding safe and wholesome childcare for infants and toddlers is not an easy task. As a mother who has lived in Denton, Texas for over 3 years with a young child, I have visited almost all of the center based childcare providers and many of the home based childcare providers aswell. I have also read through hundreds of violations and experienced concerning events at a few providers that caused me to remove my child from their care and vow to never return. There are wonderful childcare providers in the Denton and Corinth area and below are tips to help you find them!

To begin your childcare search in Denton Texas or surruonding areas, there are two websites that will be very beneficial to you.

hwww.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Care/Search_Texas_Child_Care/ppFacilitySearchDayCare.asp

This website will allow you to search for both center based childcare and licensed or registered home based childcare (anywhere in Texas). You also have the ability to click on the providers name, see their address, how long they have been licensed, how many children they are allowed to be in their care, and most importantly, what violations have been uncovered during inspections done by the state.

Note that many violations are a matter of paper work or the lack there of, both parents and caregivers can be at fault. I know many a time I have not provided an up-to-date shot record because it simply did not occur to me to do so-this can be a violation in the states mind, because this information is mandatory and must be in the child's file.

Though well meaning, the state's inspection report uses the term "violation" for any and all findings outside of perfect. Refering to minor errors, mistakes and citations as "violations" can be interpereted to be as severe as hitting a child with an object or allowing children to use prohibited equipment such as a walker or trampoline. The DFPS website has now put into place a system that weighs the violation so that you will be able to consider it to be a high, moderate, or low risk level. Just be sure to read why the provider has been written up for this "violation" and if you do have questions, feel free to call or go over the past violations with the provider in person.

You should worry about caregivers with reports of excessive violations, sometimes the same violation time after time like a missing smoke detector or a care provider striking a child with a hand or object. Continuous or severe violations such as these could mean that your child is not in the best care and you should remove your child and place them with a more organized and professional child care provider.

Do not let expensive child care centers fool you into believing you are paying top dollar for top of the line childcare. When dropping off or picking up your child pay close attention to the direct care providers, their attitudes will tell you a lot about how they are treating the children. If they are overwhelmed, tired, yelling, rolling their eyes, or being rude to your child, they may not be providing an upbeat, loving atmosphere. From my observations, even the most expensive child care centers sometimes lacked the ability of independent judgement by employees, underpaid empoyees, and understaffed classrooms--the end result being that my child did not receive the best care.

For our family, home based childcare suits us best. To easily find licensed or registered home based childcare check out this website. (these providers are also listed on the website provided above)

www.dahcca.org/Home_Page.php

There is a list of current providers as well as information about choosing the right childcare for you and your children. A Quality Care Checklist is available with a list of things to consider when meeting with a child care provider. This is useful with both center based or home based childcare.

If you are seeking immediate care for your child you may find yourself in a quandary. There is actually a shortage of quality childcare providers in the Denton and Corinth area. At times when seeking to change childcare providers I received the same answer time and time again, "Sorry, we're full right now, but we have a waiting list you can sign up for". That is the reason I have visited so many childcare centers and home-based operations in the surrounding area.

In some cases, the care providers that did have an opening were not up to my standards or had some sort of safety issue that I was not comfortable with. Until we found Robin's Nest, we were on a roller coaster of childcare providers, but we have been saved! We have been using the same childcare provider for almost 2 years now and she is the absolute best child care provider! We are so greatful to have found Robin Clouse, she is an incredible woman with a true love and compassion for children. Visit her website at http://robinsnestinhomechildcare.com . Her daughter-in-law Lyndsey worked at Robin's Nest and has now opened her own home-based childcare nearby with the same foundation of love, learning, and exploration for young children. Visit http://lyndseyslittleredwagon.tripod.com for more information.

Good luck on the road to finding a suitable, quality childcare, your children deserve it!