Blog

Determining The Best Child Care Centre For Your Child

You know that you can never discover a suitable substitute for the care and attention you give your kid. Even though it is unpleasant to hand your child over to an unknown person’s care, you have to take that decision if you want to go back to your vocation.

Locating a clean and hygienic Child Care Centre is not very hard if you know what to look for. This article covers a number of important aspects of Child Care and gives you notable insights to help you ask the correct questions before deciding on the Child Care Centre for your child.

Although there are differentchild care options available for the working parent, the least expensive and most professional optionis the Child Care Centre. Licensing and Accreditation are a must for all Child Care Centres. They are strictly regulated by the government and are inspected repeatedly by the authorities to ensure adherence to the rules and regulations governing Child Care Centres.

This is the most essential thing you have to verify while visiting the Day Care Centre. Request to see their license and accreditation certificate. The minimum regulatory requirements for hygiene, health, and safety standards will most likely be met by licensed and accredited Centres. Ask about the qualifications and experience of the child care providers employed by the Centre. Ascertain that the staff are well trained in emergency procedures. can they give First Aid? Do they keep abreast of the newest developments in teaching methods?

A very major aspect of Day Care is the schedule of both indoor and outdoor activities for the children. Children develop emotional bonding and social interaction skills at a very early age and it is important that the child care provider is knowledgeable in educating and guiding the child. A good way of finding out how the child minder interacts with the children is to spend a few hours at the Centre. Observe how the childminder talks to the children. Is the caregiver approachable at all times? Are the children comfortable in airing their views? Do the children appear happy and cheerful?

Do not assume that the Day Care Centre would be hygienic. Find out if they disinfect the nappy changing area after every nappy change. Are the babies cleaned properly? Do the caregivers clean and disinfect their hands before and after the procedure?

Many Day Care Centres try to get by with the least number of staff and maximum number of children. Ideally each caregiver should only care for 4-6 children. Your child can be sure of individualized attention in Centres where there are lesser children under each caregiver. Enquire about the staff turnover at the  Day Care Centre. It would be hard for your child to get used to new childminders at frequent intervals.

Before you decide on the Day Care Centre, you need to talk to the staff, the teachers, the management, the children, and if possible, some parents. This will give you a general idea of how the Centre is being run. Do the child care providers undergo frequent performance appraisals?

Once you are confident enough to entrust your child to a Day Care Centre, you should continue with your involvement by visiting the Centre as and when possible and volunteering your services.

Leaving your child in a Day Care Centre does not mean you are no longer iinvolved; you need to participate in the activities of the Centre by volunteering your talents.} Even teaching a nursery rhyme or a song, or reading aloud to the children will make a difference. You could help in field trips whenever possible. Make sure you always ask for a report of your child’s activities during the day or during the week when you pick up your kid. Find out the dates of the Parent-Caregiver Meetings and make sure you attend all meetings.

Keep in mind that the best Child Care Centre is one which has heaps of space, sufficient well qualified and experienced staff, is stocked with many toys and educational equipment, and has a organized program of indoor and outdoor activities, including field trips. It should also emphasize on clean and hygienic practices to lower the risk of infections.

This article is brought to you by Child Care Melbourne and Child Care Elthamand.Child Care Croydon.