Childcare: Tips For Selecting A Good Care Provider

Every parent wants their child to be safe and happy in a childcare environment. What should you be looking for in a daycare provider?

Publié par Avail Content
il y a 5 ans

The decision about who will take care of your child while you are at work is a very important one. Finding child care that has the quality and convenience you want, at a reasonable cost, will take time and effort.

Tips for selecting a child care provider:

  • Ask friends and co-workers for recommendations.
  • Conduct telephone interviews to narrow your search.
  • Visit at least three caregivers or child care programs. Be prepared to spend at least an hour or longer at each one.
  • Bring your child in to observe them in this setting.
  • Check references. Ask for at least two parent references.
  • Don’t settle. Keep looking until you find the right option.

Questions to ask when selecting home care:

  • How long have you provided child care in your home?
  • How long has the facility been in business?
  • Are you licensed, registered or accredited?
  • How many children is the facility licensed to provide for?
  • What educational qualifications do you (the staff) have?
  • Do you (the staff) have First Aid or CPR training?
  • What are the hours of operation?
  • What is the maximum number of children you will take?
  • What is the staff-child ratio?
  • How much do you charge?
  • Do you charge for vacations (yours and mine)?
  • Do you close during holidays? Am I expected to pay for those holidays?
  • Can you describe a typical day at your home/centre?
  • Do you provide snacks and meals? How do you plan meals?
  • When and how long are children to have rest time?
  • How do you handle toilet training?
  • What child proofing have you done to prevent accidents?
  • How do you handle emergencies?
  • What is the policy on sick children?
  • What supplies/equipment does the facility provide and what is the parent expected to provide?
  • Is parent participation and involvement encouraged?
  • Do you have an open door policy for parents to drop in?

What to observe during your first visit:

  • Is the center/home well maintained and clean?
  • Are toys and furniture suitable and in good shape?
  • Are the bathrooms and kitchen areas separated and clean?
  • Are there smoke detectors and a fire escape plan?
  • Are the electrical outlets covered?
  • Are children in high chairs strapped in?
  • Is there a comfortable and safe place for sleeping?
  • Is the day care well lit and cheerful?
  • Does the centre/home have a fenced yard with some shade?
  • How does the provider interact with your child?
  • Are you happy with the number of children in the day care?
  • How do the children interact with one another/with the provider?
  • Do you see infants in a playpen or an infant in a swing for longer than a few minutes?
  • Are toys developmentally and age-appropriate?

Questions/observations for in-home care:

  • What is her/his availability?
  • What are her salary expectations?
  • What is her work experience and educational qualifications?
  • How long a commitment is she prepared to make?
  • Is she willing to sign a work agreement?
  • Is she experienced working with babies?
  • What does being with and caring for children mean to her?
  • How does she handle crying? Discipline?
  • Does she have a valid driver’s license and a car?
  • Would she be willing to undergo a background check (e.g. police record check) at your expense?
  • How does she interact with your child?
  • Is she warm and friendly?
  • Does your child seem to like her?
  • Do you have a good feeling about her?

References:

Note: The contents on Avail such as text, graphics, images, and information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this or any other website.

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Childcare: Tips For Selecting A Good Care Provider

Dernière mise à jour il y a 5 ans

The decision about who will take care of your child while you are at work is a very important one. Finding child care that has the quality and convenience you want, at a reasonable cost, will take time and effort.

Tips for selecting a child care provider:

  • Ask friends and co-workers for recommendations.
  • Conduct telephone interviews to narrow your search.
  • Visit at least three caregivers or child care programs. Be prepared to spend at least an hour or longer at each one.
  • Bring your child in to observe them in this setting.
  • Check references. Ask for at least two parent references.
  • Don’t settle. Keep looking until you find the right option.

Questions to ask when selecting home care:

  • How long have you provided child care in your home?
  • How long has the facility been in business?
  • Are you licensed, registered or accredited?
  • How many children is the facility licensed to provide for?
  • What educational qualifications do you (the staff) have?
  • Do you (the staff) have First Aid or CPR training?
  • What are the hours of operation?
  • What is the maximum number of children you will take?
  • What is the staff-child ratio?
  • How much do you charge?
  • Do you charge for vacations (yours and mine)?
  • Do you close during holidays? Am I expected to pay for those holidays?
  • Can you describe a typical day at your home/centre?
  • Do you provide snacks and meals? How do you plan meals?
  • When and how long are children to have rest time?
  • How do you handle toilet training?
  • What child proofing have you done to prevent accidents?
  • How do you handle emergencies?
  • What is the policy on sick children?
  • What supplies/equipment does the facility provide and what is the parent expected to provide?
  • Is parent participation and involvement encouraged?
  • Do you have an open door policy for parents to drop in?

What to observe during your first visit:

  • Is the center/home well maintained and clean?
  • Are toys and furniture suitable and in good shape?
  • Are the bathrooms and kitchen areas separated and clean?
  • Are there smoke detectors and a fire escape plan?
  • Are the electrical outlets covered?
  • Are children in high chairs strapped in?
  • Is there a comfortable and safe place for sleeping?
  • Is the day care well lit and cheerful?
  • Does the centre/home have a fenced yard with some shade?
  • How does the provider interact with your child?
  • Are you happy with the number of children in the day care?
  • How do the children interact with one another/with the provider?
  • Do you see infants in a playpen or an infant in a swing for longer than a few minutes?
  • Are toys developmentally and age-appropriate?

Questions/observations for in-home care:

  • What is her/his availability?
  • What are her salary expectations?
  • What is her work experience and educational qualifications?
  • How long a commitment is she prepared to make?
  • Is she willing to sign a work agreement?
  • Is she experienced working with babies?
  • What does being with and caring for children mean to her?
  • How does she handle crying? Discipline?
  • Does she have a valid driver’s license and a car?
  • Would she be willing to undergo a background check (e.g. police record check) at your expense?
  • How does she interact with your child?
  • Is she warm and friendly?
  • Does your child seem to like her?
  • Do you have a good feeling about her?

References:

Note: The contents on Avail such as text, graphics, images, and information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this or any other website.