Your childcare program can be an important resource for you as a family. Give yourself some extra time when you bring or pick up your child. What do you see?

·         Who does your child like to play with? Any special friends? Does he or she spend more time with girls or boys? With older children, younger children, or age mates? With talkative or quiet children? Does your child like to spend time alone or with others? None of these styles of play is better than others, but we do learn more about our children when we see them in action with others.

·         What toys does your child like? Active or quiet toys? Books? Puzzles? Games? Dolls? How does this compare with behavior at home? Does this give you any ideas about future gifts?     How does your child respond to the center rules? Obeying them? Challenging them? If your child challenges the rules, what is the teacher’s response? Does it work? Does this give you an idea of something to try at home in family discipline?

·       Concerned about your child? Maybe he or she has difficulty concentrating, has a strong temper, throws tantrums, or rarely shares. Watch other children the same age as your child. Do they act similarly? How does the care provider deal with them - any ideas for home?

·         Talk to the care provider. Take some time to ask the provider how your child is doing at childcare. If no time is available during center hours, many providers welcome a call at home to talk about the children in their care. Ask if you can call to talk about your child.

Connect with other families at childcare. Other families at the childcare program face the same challenges you do in balancing work and family. This may be a good source of supportive family friends for you and your children.

·         Parent talk. Talk to other parents about their lives as working parents, about sharing rides, after-care babysitting exchanges, etc.

·         Exchange visits. Do your children have one or two special friends at childcare? Check with those children’s parents to see if an after-care visit at your house is possible. Visits with other families at childcare can work well for both families. Children in the host family get some extra time with their friends, while the parents of the guest children have some time for themselves. Take turns so all families share the benefits.

Help while you’re there. You can “linger and learn” while helping at the center. Ask the child care provider if there’s anything useful you can do while you spend time with the kids. Read a book with the kids? Help with an art project? You’ll feel good about making a contribution and your child will be proud to see you there as well.