TIPS ON SELECTING CHILDCARE

How many questions did you ask when enrolling your child in a preschool or childcare facility?

I have come across many a phone call from people asking when their child can start the program. My first reaction is ‘whoa!’ There are many things to consider before you drop your child off with a caregiver and tell them to have a nice day. It’s scary to think their are some parents who feel comfortable leaving their child at a center without having knowledge of the staff and the program first.

Before even picking up the phone and going down the list of centers in the phone book make sure you decide what you are looking for first.

Preschool and daycare are two different things. Some centers have both preschool and daycare but others only have one or the other. Preschool is an option to choose if you want your child to become comfortable in a peer setting, learning about social skills such as sharing, co-operation and interaction. It is also a great choice if you would like your child to learn kindergarten readiness such as pre-reading skills, and concept basics such as colours, counting and days of the week, etc. Preschool classes are two or three day a week classes, running about three hours.

Childcare on the other hand is an option for parents who work and need care for their children on a part or full time basis.

Another question you have to ask yourself is; is it important for your child to be in a licensed center or an unlicensed center? Many parents do not realize there is a difference. Licensed childcare facilities have staff that is educated in Early Childhood Development and they continue to upgrade their knowledge through workshops and lectures. The center is regularly visited by licensing officers in order to ensure the center is following health and safety regulations throughout the program and center. These centers may be group or family daycare. Unlicensed centers are often family daycare, and while some may be educated, many are not. They are not regularly monitored by licensing officers. These are important things to find out about each center.

Just because a center is licensed doesn’t mean that the center is automatically the right one for your child and family. When visiting the center please ask these questions in order to feel that you are making the best choice for your child.

1. What is the overall center philosophy?
2. What education/ experience does the caregiver have in order to be working with children?
3. Does the caregiver practice family centered care? (Do they feel it’s important to involve the family within the care and education of the child)?
4. Do they have an open door policy? (Are you able to come in and visit with your child in this setting? Can you feel free to ask question regarding your child’s day, progress, and other information).
5. What is their daily routine with the children?
6. Ask to see a valid First Aid certificates.
7. Where do they go on field trips? How do they get there? What procedures are taken?
8. Ask where your child will be having quiet time.
9. Do they celebrate religious/ diverse holidays?
10. Very important! - What are their procedures regarding guidance and discipline?
    Also, ask how many staff is employed at the center (the proper ratio is one adult to eight children at any time).

Look around the center; is there a variety of activities to choose from? Are there activities to encourage creativity, growth and challenge? Make sure you go in for a few visits, with your child, see how the staff relate to the other children, listen to how do they speak to the children. What is the feeling you get from observations in the center? Do you feel tension or calmness? How does your child seem to fit in? Often your gut feeling is the right one.

Childcare is not something to be taken lightly by any means. I have seen parents come in and take a quick look around and ask for a registration form. No questions, nothing. Ask as many questions as you need to, to feel comfortable about leaving your child there. Don’t feel that you just need to accept what they tell you and that’s it. If they are not answering your questions or acknowledging your feelings and concerns, walk away.

The first five years of a child’s life are the most important; don’t you think they should be spent in a quality care program? Do some research and educate yourself, make a list of important questions, right down values and ethics you feel are important to you and make sure they are the same as the center you choose.

Any good caregiver will answer any questions with enthusiasm because more than anything we want you to feel like you can leave your child and not have to spend the day worrying.

The extra effort can make all the difference in your child having a positive and growing experience and you feeling relaxed and comfortable about leaving your child in another’s hands.

Please, take the time to ask questions.

Submitted by Kelly Brink
Early Childhood Educator

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