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Childcare Guidelines
by Luca Jenkin
http://www.flexichilcare.com
The decision to work and put your child in daycare is often
not a choice for many people. In today's culture, a
double-income family is a necessity, not an option. This
option is also out of the question for most single parents.
For this reason, it can feel quite anxious to match your
child with a daycare provider or center that perfectly
accommodates your child's needs. As daunting as this
sounds, it can be done if you follow a few helpful
guidelines.
First, don't decide on a daycare center in haste or under
pressure. Be sure to take the time to thoroughly
investigate all the options available in your area and the
pros and cons of each one with respect to your child and
situation. What might be best for your friend or relative
might not be best for your family. The main child care
alternatives are a day care center, day care at someone
else's home, or a dedicated child care worker in your
home. It may be best to consider only state licensed day
care providers.
2. Get a list of reputable providers from a local
non-profit child welfare organization. Other places to find
a daycare centers are in the phone book or online. Be sure
to not only talk with these providers on the phone but also
arrange a visit in person so you can face-to-face ask lots
of critical questions.
3. A child-oriented daycare (versus a profit-oriented
center) is willing to discuss the adult staff to child
ratio. The ratio gives you a good idea if your child's
individual needs for attention and socialization will be
met. For example, the recommended ratios are 1 to 4 for
babies and 1 to 10 for ages five and under. This guideline
isn't a tell-all sign that all will be safe. After all, can
you imagine thirty 3-year-olds (one being yours) all in one
room with only three adults - Talk about potential chaos!
4. The caregiver should supply a copy of her background,
along with listing her certificates from different childcare
and development schools, any licenses, and additional
training. As for a daycare center, you should find out if
it is state or nationally accredited and what organizations
it belongs to. An accredited center is much more likely to
meet high criteria and is much more willing to open
inspections.
5. A large staff turnover rate is another big red flag.
This a sign that something about the day care is not working
for the employees. If a daycare center skirts around this
information, this also is another bad sign. A child who is
exposed to new teacher after new teacher in a short amount
of time will not feel as secure or have the ability to bond
well with others as a child who has a happy staff member or
provider.
Your experience with a childcare provider and childcare
center should feel like a comfortable fit for you and your
child. The safest way to find this fit is not to jump into
the first place you look into. If you give yourself a few
days to mull over your selection and carefully review any
contracts, you will end up with a much better success story
that will keep your child happily going to this new daycare
for years and years down the road.
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