If you are like many parents, placing your infant or toddler in child care stirs up deep feelings. You may be asking yourself some important questions.

Will my child...

• be safe and free from harm?
• feel comfortable and happy in child care?
• be with adults who are warm and responsive?
• still love me the best?
• have interesting things to see and to do?
• learn to get along with other children?
• hear a great deal of language, including the language we speak at home?
• be with adults who know and respect our family's culture?

The links on the right, from our book,  A Parent's Guide to Infant/Toddler Programs describe what quality infant and toddler care should look like to ensure that your child will be safe, healthy, and happy. These excerpts will help you discover what your child is learning during these crucial years and ways you can work with caregivers to build a strong foundation for your child's future. We hope it will help you feel comfortable about leaving your child in child care.