COVID-19 has caused many child care facilities to close their doors. If working from home is not an option for you, how do you pick a new and safe place for your child’s care? We’ve got a few tips to help guide your decision during this challenging time. 

Better Beginnings, a program of the Arkansas Department of Human Services, provides Arkansas families with information that helps connect them with safe child care options. They’ve developed a few questions you can ask a child care provider (especially a home child care) before you commit to a new caretaker. 

Important Questions to Ask a Potential Child Care Provider

1. Is this home or child care facility licensed by DHS?

Pro Tip: Any child care provider who cares for more than five non-related children and is open more than 5 hours a day or 10 hours a week must be licensed and inspected by the DHS Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. This is, of course, to keep your kids safe! 

2. Have background checks been done on every person caring for children in this facility?

3. Is the facility clean? Is it safe?

4. How many children is each adult caring for at the home or facility?

5. How many people are in the home or facility, including children?

Pro Tip: Right now the CDC recommends that no more than 10 people be gathered in a child care home. 

For even more information, visit ARBetterBeginnings.com and click the Find Child Care icon at the bottom of the homepage. From there, you can find important information like if a child care provider is licensed.