FIVE TELL-TALE SIGNS YOUR CHILD’S HOLISTIC NEEDS ARE NOT MET

Overcrowded classes with no assistant teacher. “It’s illegal to have more than 25 children in a class with only one educator,” Seabi says. Overcrowded classes hinder a child’s development, and suggests that insufficient time is spent on each learner, which could compromise their learning. And, teachers in overcrowded classes tend to be overworked and impatient.

Unsafe and unhygienic environment. “Unhygienic spaces are related to overcrowded classes, who, where and how food is prepared, as well as the actual type of food served to kids,” Mavuso adds.

Insufficient playgrounds. “Children learn as they play. If they’re confined to small spaces, they lag developmentally.

Lack of play could also lead to health issues like child obesity,” Mavuso continues. Lack of stimulating activities and communication with parents. “If a crèche uses less stimulating learning resources and activities, it could suggest minimal or no learning at all. If a crèche doesn’t communicate with parents, it implies teachers don’t interact with each child appropriately,” Mavuso cautions.

Behavioural changes in your child. Separation anxiety during the first few days is normal. However, it’s important to notice and attend to clinging and avoidant behaviour in a child who has already adjusted to the crèche. “Signs of abused children includes sudden changes in mood, resistance and refusal to go to crèche, withdrawn behaviour or anxiety about doing something wrong, excessive distress and discomfort when around the teacher, development of bedwetting or soiling, multiple wounds or bruises and/or frequent reported ‘injuries while playing’, and when the child is always watchful, as if waiting for something bad to happen,” Seabi explains.