Choosing a Preschool or Child Care Center

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Maintained by: Department of Health
Questions: (573) 751-2450

Although the vast majority of this nation's preschools and child care centers are perfectly safe places, recent reports of child abuse in these settings are a source of great concern to parents

Check to make sure that the program is reputable.
State or local licensing agencies, childcare information and referral services, and other child care community agencies may be helpful sources of information. Find out whether there have been any past complaints.

Find out as much as you can about the teachers and caregivers.
Talk with other parents who have used the program.

Learn about the school or center's hiring policies and practices.
Ask how the organization recruits and selects staff. Find out whether they examine references, background checks, and previous employment history before hiring decisions are made.

Ask whether and how parents are involved during the day.
Learn whether the center or school welcomes and supports participation. Be sensitive to the attitude and degree of openness about parental participation.

Ensure that you have the right to drop in and visit the program at any time.

Make sure you are informed about every planned outing.
Never give the organization blanket permission to take your child off the premises.

Prohibit in writing the release of your child to anyone without your explicit authorization.
Make sure that the program knows who will pick up your child on any given day.