Choosing just the right childcare arrangements need not be a stressful undertaking. First, decide on the type of care you need, (i.e., in-home or child care center) then identify and compare caregivers.

The following information is intended to be used only as a guide. Parents are encouraged to visit each prospective childcare facility with their child and spend time with the caregiver. ASK QUESTIONS! When available, request a parent' s handbook outlining the caregiver's policies and programs.

Licensing and Staff/Child Ratios

•  Is the facility/home licensed?
•  How many children does the license allow?
• How many are currently being cared for?
•  Are there enough caregivers to supervise and give adequate attention?

Training & Attitude of Caregiver

• Do the caregivers have training in child development? If not, what and how have they learned about child development?

• How much experience, and with what age groups do the caregivers have?

• Do they respond and talk to all children in a positive, warm, understanding way?

• Does the caregiver share your views on discipline and rewards?

• Is staff turnover high? National rate is 45% annually. A continual change of caregivers may not be good for your child.

Program and Activities

• What is the daily routine? Are children read and talked to?
• Is a TV on part or most of the day?
• Is TV viewing closely monitored? What shows are being watched?
•  Are activities and materials varied and appropriate for the children's abilities, and focused on the areas of social, emotional, physical and intellectual development?
• Are snacks/meals, toileting mapping routines compatible with your own?
• Are interesting field trips taken? What sort of transportation is used?

Environment

• Is the facility or home safe, clean and free of health hazards?
•  Is there enough room for indoor & outdoor play, napping, eating, and isolating a sick child and storage of equipment and children’s belongings in individual containers?
• Do the children seem happy?
• Are equipment and play materials in good repair? Are they interesting and age appropriate?
• How often are toys disinfected and sheets washed?

Parent/Caregiver Relationship

• Is there a routine for exchanging pertinent information?
• Are parents welcome to drop in at any time?
• Do you communicate well with the caregiver?
•  Will you be able to stay with your child for the first several hours while he/she gets to know the new caregiver and environment?
• What other adults and children are often present?

Ask Yourself

• Would your child do better in a childcare or in a home environment?
• Would your child be happier with several other children to play with or in a calmer, quieter atmosphere?
•  If your child has not been around other children often, he/she may pick up infections during the first year. How will this affect your family and work?
• How will the location of the childcare affect your work and family routines?
• Can your child adapt to the daily routine?

After an Initial Settling-in Period

• Are you happy with the arrangement?
• Is your child happy to go there?
•  Is your child developing a positive relationship with the caregiver?

In-Home Care:

• Small Family Child Care is provided in an individual's home. Licensing limits childcare to eight children.
• Large Family Child Care Home is also provided in an individual' s home. A home may serve up to 14 children (only 4 may be under the age of 2) with a second caregiver.
• For referrals to in-home childcare providers, see information under Child Care Referral.

Center-Based Programs:

•  Infant/Toddler Programs: Licensing requires 1 provider for every 4 children, O to 2 years of age.
•  Child Care Center: Includes childcare centers and preschools. Licensing requires I caregiver for every 12 children, ages 3 to 5 years.
• School Programs: Before and after school care is available in childcare centers and on some elementary school campuses. One adult for every 14 children, ages 5 to 12

Newbury Park
Christ the King Lutheran Preschool Ages: 2 1/2 to 5 yrs.
(805) 498-2217
3947 W. Kimber Dr.
Newbury Park, CA 91320

Conejo Adventist Preschool
(805) 498-2391
1250 Academy Drive
Newbury Park, Ca 91320

Conejo Recreation/Park District Borchard Community Center* Ages: 3 to 5 1/2
(805) 381-2791
190 Reino Road
Newbury Park, CA 91320

CVUSD NFL - Earths
(805) 498-8391
2626 Michael Drive
Newbury Park, Ca 91320
Contact: Dr. Jennifer Boone

King of Glory Preschool Ages: 2 yrs 9 mo. to 5 yrs.
(805) 498-0567
2500 Borchard Rd
Newbury Park, CA 91360

Little Steps Preschool * Ages: 2 yrs 9 mo. to 5 yrs.
(805) 498-8443
801 Knollwood Dr.
Newbury Park, CA 91320 

Miller Family YMCA Preschool
(805) 480-0309

320 Via Las Brisas
Newbury Park, Ca 91320

Monte Vista Presbyterian Pre-school Ages: 2 yrs 9 mo. to 5 yrs.
(805) 499-6610
3797 W. Lynn Rd
Newbury Park, CA 91320

Woodcrest Preschool Ages: 18 months to 5 yrs.
(805) 375-7788
107 Teardrop Ct.
Newbury Park, CA 91320

Thousand Oaks
Ascension Lutheran Childhood Center Ages: 3 to 4 yrs.
(805) 381-9081
1600 E. Hillcrest Dr.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

Cal Lutheran Univ. Childhood Center Ages: 1 yr 9 mo to 6 yrs
(805) 493-3247
60 W. Olsen Rd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Children's Learning Center (Montessori) Ages: 2 yrs to 7 yrs
(805) 495-3903
2993 Crescent Way
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

Christian Preschool Ages: 2 yrs 9 mo to 5 yrs.
(805) 492-1711
301 W. Ave. de las Flores
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

City of Thousand Oaks Child Care Center /
Conejo Valley Unified School District Ages: 6 wks to 6 yrs.
(805) 494-8100
110 South Conejo School Rd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD)* Ages: K to 6th grade
(805) 497-9511, ext. 390
1400 E. Janss Rd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 

CVUSD - Wonder Early Childhood Center
(805) 497-9511
2801 Atlas Avenue
Thousand Oaks, Ca 91360

Conejo Valley YMCA* Ages: K- 6th grade
(805) 523-7613
4031 N. Moorpark Rd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Daydreamer's Daycare & Preschool - Ages: Newborn to 5 years, evening care avail.
2685 Calle Bienvenido
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(805) 241-9969

First Baptist Preschool/ Academy Ages: 2 yrs 9 mo to 8th grade
(805) 495-4960
1250 Erbes Rd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 

Fredrickson Family Early Childhood Center
(805) 493-3247
3450 Campus Dr.
Thousand Oaks, Ca 91360

Hillcrest Christian School * Ages: 3 yrs to 18 yrs
(805) 497-7501
384 Erbes Rd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

Honey Tree Childhood Center Ages: 2 yrs to 6 yrs
(805)492-1232
1 W. Ave de Los Arboles
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Kids Kampus* Ages: 2 yrs to 6th grade
(805) 495-8525
2225 Los Feliz Dr
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

KinderCare* Ages: 6 wks to 12 yrs
(805) 492-2495
2425 Oakbrook Dr
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

Little Dreamers Ages: 2 to 6 yrs & 11 mos.
(805) 379-3798
3277 Foothill Dr
Thousand Oaks, CA 91361

Little Oaks School * Ages: 2 1/2 yrs thru 6th grade
(805) 495-2537
101 N. Skyline Dr
Thousand Oaks, CA 91361
 

Montessori Children's Place Ages: 2.5 to 6 (includes K)

Montessori of the Oaks* Ages: 2 yrs to 5th grade
(805) 497-9079
1000 East Janss Rd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Neighborhood City Center For Young Children
(805) 496-9035
110 S. Conejo School Rd.
Thousand Oaks, Ca 91362

Notre Dame Learning Center  Ages: 2.9 to 5 yrs

(805) 494-0304

1776 Hendrix Ave.

Thousand Oaks 91360

O'Shaughnessy Family Child Care  Ages: Birth To 6 Years

(805) 493-0886

268 Larcom St.

Thousand Oaks, Ca 91360

Pinecrest Preschool * Ages: 2 1/2 to 5 yrs
(805) 497-0073
449 Wilbur Rd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Rolling Oaks Child Dev. Center Ages: 18 mo to 4 yrs.
(805) 495-2104
400 E. Rolling Oaks Dr.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91361

Roots & Wings* Ages: 2 yrs 9 mo to 6 yrs
(805) 492-8560
1492 Calle Tulipan
Thousand 0aks, CA 91360

Temple Adat Elohim Ages: 2 yrs to 5 yrs
(805) 497-6920
2420 E. Hillcrest Dr.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

Temple Etz Chaim Preschool Ages: 2 to 5 yrs.
(805)497-6852
1080 Janss Rd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Tutor Time Ages: 1 yr and walking to 6 yrs.
(818) 865-1041
1165 Lindero Canyon Rd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

Young Set Club* Ages: K to 6th glade
(805) 495-2104
400 E. Rolling Oaks Dr.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91361

Westlake Village
Carden Conejo School Ages: 3 to 4 yrs
(805) 497-7005
975 Evenstar Ave
Westlake Village, CA 91361

Children's World Learning Center  Ages: 2 to Kindergarten
(805) 495-0851

917 Hampshire Road

Westlake Village, CA 91361

Growing Place Preschool and Kindergarten Ages: 2 1/2 to 6 yrs
(805) 497-7064
1049 Westlake Blvd
Westlake Village, CA 91361 

Kindercare Learning Center
(805) 495-0851
917 Hampshire Rd
Westlake Village, Ca 91361

Westlake Montessori School Ages: 2 yrs. to 1st grade
(805) 495-2962
228 S. Skyline Dr.
Westlake Village, CA 91360

Westminster Presbyterian Preschool 2 yrs 9 mos. yrs
(818) 889-1493
32111 Watergate Rd
Westlake Village, CA 91361 Ages:

*Before and/or after school care available.

Child Care Referral

State Licensed Child Care Referral Service-Serving
the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas.

Child Development Resources (805) 485- 7878
Free referrals for licensed childcare.
Spanish on site. http://www.cdrofvtaco.org

Gold Coast Day Care Assoc.
(805) 649-5014- Childcare referrals to licensed family day care
home providers who are members of the association.

Subsidy Child Care Programs
Child Development Resources -- (805) 485-7878
Subsidized child care programs based on family's gross monthly income and family size. Serves children from birth through age 13 Children at risk top priority.

Children's Home Society of CA -- (805) 650-5310
Subsidized childcare programs based on family's gross monthly income and family size. Serves children from birth through age 13. Children at risk top priority.

Extended Opportunities Program and Services, Ventura College -- (805) 654-6302
Financial and other assistance for students who are AFDC single heads of household with at least 1 child under 6.

Advocacy
Child Care Planning Council -- (805) 988-8903
The United Voice for Child Care in Ventura County. www.ccpn.org

Licensing
State of California Community Care Licensing/Santa Barbara -- (805) 682-7647
For information concerning complaints that may have been filed against a licensed child care center or to register a complaint about one.

Interface Agency:
Children Family Services of Ventura County -- 1-(800) 566-6607, 24-hour (805) 496-4866
Social service agency providing education, treatment, shelter, and counseling to abused children, troubled individuals and families in crises. Counseling and crises services provided at sites throughout the county. Programs include: youth Crises Services, Help-line, Info and Referral, Family Guidance Clinics, and Child Abuse Intervention and Prevention. Also operates a home for abused children.