Caregivers have the responsibility of caring for your child in a manner
that meets your approval as well as meets the developmental needs of
your child. Below is a list of favorable attributes that a caregiver
should possess followed by a list of requirements prescribed by the
State Department of Human Resources.
A caregiver should...
Be friendly and eager to care for children
Be warm and understanding and give attention to each child's individual
needs
Understand and accept that all children have different developmental
stages and moods
Treat each child with respect
Model good citizenship to teach children self respect as well as respect
for others
Accept the family's cultural values
Take time to discuss the child's progress or problems with the parents
Be kind and loving toward all children
Work cooperatively with co-workers and parents
Feel good about their work as a caregiver
A caregiver must...
Have prescribed training in the areas of child care and child
development
Meet the minimum age requirement of 19 years
Follow sanitary regulations in feeding, diapering, and handling children
Hold, cuddle, talk to, and play with children
Allow infants out of cribs for reasonable periods of time during the day
Never prop a bottle in a crib for infant feeding
Provide children with routines and rules that they can understand while
providing them with stimulating, interesting, and educational activities
Strictly follow the child/staff ratios for ages and activities
Comply with lifeguard requirements
Manage children's behavior or discipline in a positive, constructive
manner which is not threatening or humiliating
Never use corporal punishment
In accordance with Alabama law, report suspected child abuse and/or
neglect
Never leave children unsupervised
Notify parents immediately of any illness, accident, or other serious
incident
Release children only to persons identified and approved by parents
Obtain parent's written permission before taking a child on a field trip
Strictly follow the law requiring the use of seat belts or child
restraints when transporting children
Follow all minimum standard requirements for day care centers