In 2002, 3-year-old Mario Archuleta’s childcare provider purposely scalded him with hot water. Mario’s hands were severely burned. He went through surgery and a year of rehabilitation. His babysitter was sentenced to nine years in prison.
Now Mario’s parents, Ron and Nicole Archuleta, want to prevent others from suffering like they have. They want to make sure parents have access to information – including background checks and licensing status – for childcare providers in the state. To that end, the Archuletas asked the state of New Mexico to establish a database of child care providers who have obtained background check eligibility. They also asked that parents have access to other state databases to check on their provider’s background. For such information and more – including background check regulations, court and sex offender databases, and a parents guide to selecting childcare – see Mario’s Search at www.NewMexicoKids.org.

Finding Childcare
Knowing that a provider has passed a background check, received basic education in childhood development and meets state requirements is a good starting point for making a decision about leaving the children for regular periods of time.
“We recommend that parents also observe providers and ask lots of questions,” says April Malaney, coordinator of New Mexico Kids Child Care Resource and Referral, an agency created last year by the state Children, Youth and Families Division to be a central clearinghouse for childcare information.
From their offices at UNM, two friendly women with access to a huge database of information can also help parents sort through the maze of information about centers and regulations. They can refer parents to childcare providers who meet state standards for quality.
In addition to the Web site (www.NewMexicoKids.org), the agency can be reached by calling 277-7900 in Albuquerque and 1-800-691-9067 from other areas of the state.
“If you are leaving your children with an outside provider for the first time, you’ll be nervous. We can give you some guidelines about what to look for,” says Virginia Montoya, a referral specialist.
Here are some terms to define different types of childcare providers:
–A licensed childcare provider is one who has passed a background check, received 45 hours of education, passed a facility safety inspection and meets yearly requirements.
–A registered in-home provider is one who is registered with a local food program. They undergo a background check and 18 hours of education.

Finding A Babysitter, Becoming A Babysitter
Super Sitters – offered by the YWCA Middle Rio Grande in Albuquerque – is a training program offered in conjunction with afterschool programs, Scout groups, church groups and community centers. Professional trainers teach young people about early childhood development, safety issues, and the mechanics of setting up a business.
Malisa Kasparian, associate executive director of the Albuquerque Y, created the Super Sitters program because she loves seeing young people gain knowledge and skill in relating to babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. Participants receive 15 hours of instruction in child development, as well as CPR training. Fees for the training vary. Participants receive a certificate and can have their names listed on a referral list at the YWCA. (To find a Super Sitter, or to become one, call the YWCA at 254-9922.)
“I’ve heard back from girls who became Super Sitters years ago and now have children of their own,” Kasparian says. “They remember what they learned about developmental stages and come to thank me.”
The American Red Cross offers Babysitter Training Courses focusing on CPR training and health/safety issues. Dates vary for classes in Española, Taos, Santa Fe, Los Alamos and Albuquerque. The cost is $45 for ages 11-15. For information in Albuquerque see http://redcrossalbq.org/. For information in Santa Fe and northern New Mexico call 424-1611 or 1-800-560-2302.
Sylvia Foster, who offers bi-lingual training at the YWCA Cariño program, recommends that parents ask a lot of questions of a potential babysitter. Ask about references. Ask about his or her background. What would the teen do in an emergency? What if Johnny behaves poorly? How does he/she discipline children? What activities will they offer? Asking many questions and observing interactions will give parents confidence that the children are in good hands.
For more general information on resources for the family, parents can call 211—a United Way information clearinghouse.

What The Babysitters Say
Jeanette Lopez started babysitting at age 12. Now she’s an out-going, 16-year-old basketball player. But she continues to offer her babysitting services every other weekend.
Jeanette didn’t feel the need for special training. She’s cared for young cousins and observed the moms in her large extended family. That gave her confidence to begin a babysitting business. In four years of experience, Jeanette says the hardest thing she’s had to deal with is getting toddlers to take naps.
“I learned,” says Jeanette. “that you wear them out with lots of exercise. Then when you put on a movie at naptime, they’ll fall asleep.”
John Chavez, age 15, began babysitting after his football and wrestling seasons finished up earlier this year. He says he got into babysitting when his mother asked him to help out a friend. Now he enjoys earning spending money and playing with the two boys in his care.
Throwing balls and practicing sports comes easy for John, and the children in his care look up to him. John feels confident as a sitter. “I’d recommend it to other boys if they asked about it,” he says.
Anamaria Brionez, 13, signed up for the Super Sitters training program last year when it was offered as an afterschool class. She wanted to get information and feel more confident in caring for different age groups. As it turned out, she was especially thankful for the training on the day when a baby in her care choked on a cookie. Anamaria knew just what to do. Turning the baby over, she patted his back and the cookie came right out.
Anamaria says learning to change diapers on a squirming 1-year-old has been the biggest challenge of her babysitting career thus far. But she’s up to the challenge. After school and on weekends you’ll find her busy taking care of little ones. “It’s great to make money doing something I love,” she says. “And I love kids.”