No matter what type of childcare setting you choose for your little one, there a few factors that you must consider to choose the right childcare.
Choosing the right child care for your child is an important decision that will set the stage for the first five years of your little one’s development. Here are 5 helpful tips:
1. Qualified Educators
Even though you are still the most important caregiver in your little ones’ life, your child will spend a significant amount of time with their new caregiver. You want to make sure that their caregiver, whether in an at-home setting or in a centre, is qualified and knowledgeable about child development.
Qualified educators are knowledgeable about your child’s milestones and behaviours, and are fully trained in first aid and cpr. Together, both you and a qualified child care educator will be able to ensure that your child gets the best care in their most formative years.
2. Professional Development
Qualified child care educators, and quality centres, are committed to lifelong learning and will engage in professional development. While the core knowledge surrounding child development generally remains the same, there are ever changing views and information surrounding best practices in regards to parenting. A qualified child care provider who is committed to lifelong learning will help you to determine what’s best for your child and your family.
A qualified child care educator will be warm, responsive, and loving, and even in group care your child should still get enough one – on – one interaction.
3. Policy Check
In order to determine if you are choosing the right child care for your child, look to the program’s policies, and determine if you share similar philosophies. For example, consider the following:
Discipline
- How do caregivers and educators handle undesirable behavior?
- How do caregivers and educators redirect behavior?
- Do caregivers and educators participate in corporal punishment?
Feeding
- What kinds of snacks and meals are provided?
- What happens if your child does not eat?
- Do they provide substitutions if your child is allergic?
- Is outside food permitted in the centre?
Sleeping
- What if your child does not want to take a nap? Are they forced to sleep if they don’t want to?
- When will your child nap? Are nap time based on their needs or on the classroom routine?
- How do caregivers and educators handle fussy babies?
There are many more questions to be asked and considered. But the more you ask from the onset, the less likely there will be suprises later on. Quality centres and at home caregivers take every little detail into consideration and are committed to providing a nurturing, healthy, and safe environment for your child. You will be able to determine the level of quality through how they handle their policies and procedures.
4. The Environment
Whatever kind of child care you choose, it should be clean, hazard proof, and well equipped with age appropriate materials. Each age group should be separate so that caregivers and educators can meet the broad needs of the children.
…And the atmosphere
In addition to the physical environment, the overall atmosphere of the setting is important. When visiting or touring take note if you see positive engagements and friendly interactions with other parents, children, and educators. Does the setting encourage communication, or does the atmosphere feel cold?
You should feel comfortably talking to any caregiver or educator within the setting. This way if an issue does arrive, you have developed a relationship in which you can comfortably problem solve together in the best interest of your child.
5. A Parent’s Intuition
Always trust your gut. Every parent knows when something doesn’t feel right. If you get that feeling, never ignore it.
But be flexible…
Always be open to change. Maybe your gut told you to go with a particular centre, but after some time you realize that things are not playing out as you thought they would. Its okay to make a switch. Its far more important for your child to be in a nurturing environment that you feel comfortable with. More often than not, it takes parents a longer time to transition than it does for the child.
Choosing the right child care for your little one is an important decision. Explore different options until you feel confident in your choice.
