Choosing the right childcare centre for your child’s needs
CHOOSING the right childcare for your little ones is, of course, vitally important to any parent so it’s worth taking some time to consider what exactly is right for your family.
What suits you best depends on practical issues, such as cost, the hours that you work or study, where you live and the availability of places, as well as any personal preference that you may have for choosing a home or centre based environment for your child.
When choosing childcare it is important to take an honest look at what is best for your child’s personality and your parenting style. Childcare is right for you if you want your child to enter a stimulating environment, with qualified and professional care, that offers stability and continuity to school- going age and beyond.
Or if you feel that your child will enjoy taking part in a programme of activities that are appropriate to his/ her own development. Or because of work or other circumstances you need reliability every day.
Your personal checklist should include all the childcare options that are convenient to you. Should you find that there are no services close to your home, some alternatives could be those located en- route to or nearby your place of work or training.
Visiting a service for the first time, it is important to gather the information you require, through observation and by asking questions ( have a list ready). Try to make a fixed appointment, this way the manager will have time to spend with you and answer all your questions
Make sure you allow yourself time to look around to see the facilities, to see staff working with children and to sit down and discuss your requirements with the manager or owner.
The premises should have an overall sense of order and cleanliness that is balanced with a sense of creativity and fun.
The specific facilities that you require will depend on the age of your infant, toddler or pre- school child.
Be sure to check the arrangements for food preparation and eating during the day, including drinks. Ask yourself if the childcare centre’s routine and facilities will suit the needs of your child, and you.
Also, when it comes to activities, the service you are happiest with should offer a curriculum that includes physical activity, play, quiet time, group and individual activities, creative activities, meals, snack time and free time. Children of all ages learn through play, so look out for services that place high value on children simply doing activities they enjoy.
Take time, too, to notice the atmosphere of the centre. Is this a warm and loving, fun atmosphere where you feel your child will flourish and grow?
The staff are a vital component of a childcare service. What you’ll want to see are friendly staff being attentive and listening to the children, dealing with issues as they arise.
Ask about the staff/child ratio, experience and training.
A policy welcoming and actively promoting parental involvement is reassuring, as is a system for receiving feedback and information relating to your child.