Child Care Basics
So you have to find childcare for your child? It is a big decision and parents wonder how to make it. Should it be daycare? A paid home daycare person? A family member? With a little help, you can enter the world of childcare.
Start your search by reading this list:
- Remember to put location and quality and safety.
- Ask about security and trained staff.
- Evaluate your options by asking other parents who have children in various programs.
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Ask specifically:
#1 Is the daycare or other arrangement “open” and welcoming to parents: Don’t wince, some center/homes have “closed door” policies and don’t understand that you inted to call, drop in, have lunch or breakfast or visit anytime.
#2 Is the philosophy stated, is the site accredited or regulated? Can you see the records?
#3 How much priority is placed on clean-safe-happy-busy rooms?
#4 If you hear loud voices or crying (yelling) or children playing alone without adults playing with them, ask why?
- Go visit a site you like more than once.
- Observe exactly what you see or hear.
- Listen to how children are asked to use the bathrooms.
- Look at how playgrounds are set up.
- What are children saying? What voice levels are they using?
- What are children doing
- Are they busy and using their hands and moving constantly?
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Evaluate your options and list the pros and cons of each. Then research the options that you think will work for you. And there’s no need to wince – researching your options is less intimidating than it sounds. |
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