Do You Really Know Your Child Care Provider? Published April 11, 2012 By 2nd Lt. Jessica A Rowe 15th Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- As a parent, you don't need to be told that you are responsible for the well-being of your children. You make sure all cabinets have safety locks, purchase only BPA-free pacifiers, and place special covers on all electrical outlets. However, even the most cautious parents can unknowingly overlook a hazard to their children: unlicensed childcare providers. Child care is often a necessary part of military life and a great amount of effort is invested into the process of selecting the best provider. The decision itself is daunting, but resources exist to ease the process. "We strongly encourage members ensure their child care providers are licensed and authorized to provide child care on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam," said Air Force Special Agent J.P. Lapre. If you are interested in putting your children in home care during the day, you can verify if a provider is licensed via Kidsline; a child care resource which maintains a list of certified providers who live on base. Anyone can access Kidsline at www.greatlifehawaii.com. When selecting a child care provider, consider everything and ask questions. From CPR and First Aid certifications to criminal history and living conditions, know who is caring for your child! In the event adverse information is discovered or if you simply do not feel comfortable, share your concerns with installation officials or Air Force Office of Special Investigations for appropriate action. In depth knowledge of the provider's demographics will aid in your search for a good match for your child. Be sure to ask about family arrangements, potential disabilities that may interfere with child care (i.e. hearing loss, memory loss, etc...), and daily activities. These factors not only provide an extra sense of security, they shed light for other service members who may be considering using that provider as well. A tragic incident can be avoided if basic preliminary checks are conducted; otherwise, substantial criminal history with child protective services and law enforcement agencies can be easily missed. "Simply put, we cannot afford anything less than the most responsible and competent people taking care of our children while we take care of the mission," said Lapre.