The time has come to return to the office and thus find a place for our little guy to spend his time while I’m at work. I found deciding on a childcare centre ALMOST as overwhelming as deciding on a pram!
Did you know that a child’s brain develops most rapidly between birth and five years old? Research shows that quality education and care during these years leads to better health, education and employment outcomes later in life. These years are critical for establishing self-esteem, resilience, healthy growth and capacity to learn (National Quality Framework) Oh the pressure!! Knowing all this, it was so important to me that I felt confident with who I was entrusting with my child's care. I toyed with the idea of a nanny, family day care and flexible casual care alternatives but made the decision to go with a Childcare centre based on my son’s personality – a million miles an hour and best entertained by a big bunch of children, heaps of activities and needing to keep a bit of routine and structure. There are a heap of centres out there and I had no idea where to start. To combat the overwhelm I enlisted the help of an expert - working mum of three and Early Childhood Teacher Alison Uren. I am so grateful to have been able to gain direction from her eleven years of experience in childcare centres, preschools and schools. Here are her extremely valuable insider tips for choosing a Childcare centre so that you too can find a solution that you feel great about. Edit your options
Personally, I got stuck in procrastination mode before finally asking for help and left my decision a little late so I had some options crossed of the list for me straight away. If you’re forced to settle for a childcare spot that isn’t your first preference don’t stress - keep your eyes open for alternatives and your name on the waiting lists until something more suitable comes up. Do your research Check out as many childcare services as you can. Ensure that the childcare service is registered and at least meeting the minimum requirement of the National quality standard. If the centre is marked as ‘Exceeding’ in all areas that’s even better. Check out the services policies and procedures; ask questions about it specific to your family’s circumstances e.g. Does your child have any additional needs? Drop in unannounced Don’t book in and give them an opportunity to make sure they turn on their A-game!! You want to see what the everyday looks like. While there are national benchmarks for childcare centres and FAQs on centre websites, there is a lot of equally important information that you can only discover in person. Drop in unannounced, pick up enrolment forms and have a look around. Check out these key things
It’s a big step sending your child to be cared for by complete strangers. It’s ok to ask a heap of questions! I'd rather be the annoying mum than the one leaving beside myself with nerves every day wondering if my child is safe and happy. If the staff are open to your barrage of questions and answer professionally and confidently that’s a good gauge on how you’ll feel about communicating with them in the future. Here are a few things you might want to ask about.
Use your resources There are so many great resources available to you in addition to your own detective work.
12 Comments
Such a thorough list Tamsin! What a great resource for new working mums. The only thing I would add is to find out the sickness policy for each of your options and understand how and when it will affect you and your family. I have clients who used Family Day Care and had to take personal leave when she was sick, her child was sick, the educator was sick AND when the educator's child was sick. Needless to say she had to take A LOT of personal leave.
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25/10/2017 08:53:55 am
I really like your tip to see when the child care centre is operating so that you can know if it fits in with your schedule. Since I'm going back to work soon, I've realized that it is the time I find a great program for my daughter to go into and was wondering what I should look for. Since we both have to go to work fairly early, we will definitely be looking for a child care centre that has early hours.
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Hi Ashley
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26/10/2017 07:15:05 pm
I?d have to check with you here. Which is not something I usually do! I enjoy reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!
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4/6/2018 09:01:20 pm
We must always make it to the point to carefully do a background check of the school where our child will attend to. The numerous tips listed above is very useful for first time moms to have a kid send to school to read this article to ensure the safety of their kids and for them to be comfortable to study and mingle with other kids.
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26/6/2018 09:52:14 pm
Parents also play a major role in honing the kids. Together with the school, they must be the first example to help the kids at Child Care Centers.
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27/6/2018 05:44:25 pm
In choosing the right childcare, i really go to different school myself to have a tour around the vicinity. It makes me more confident to trust my little kiddos if you feel that the school you choose is safe also. As for this website, they also make other mommies, not just me but other as well on how we could determine as well by ourselves how to choose the right childcare for our kids.
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17/7/2018 06:20:02 pm
Look and see if the staff is responsive and caring. Do they seem interested and enthusiastic or bored? Do staff interact with children on a one-to-one level or as a group? Are they friendly towards you? The children should be under control and attentive.
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12/2/2020 05:38:46 pm
Yes! I too connected to the point the child has rapid power during the age up to 5 years of age. This is the time every parent needs to teach the child every ethical point to grow as a responsible child. And also to the point Ask, Ask and Ask.. of course, it is our duty to ask all our doubts, if all our doubts clarified then go for the further procedure.
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16/2/2020 01:04:47 pm
Choosing a childcare centre for your children is a bug decision that you should do. There are so many things that you need to put into consideration since there are so many choices. I know that all of them are offering good services, but they differ on their programs. You need to find the program that suits the capacity and personality of your child! It's kind of full of process, but you need to take the risk if you really want to do it!
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16/7/2020 11:58:15 am
We provide the highest quality childcare Berwick residents like. We are located close to work so you will spend less rush in the evenings and mornings. If you want to have more time with your baby or you are just returning o work after leave, the Birches Early Centre is your best option. We aspire to be the first child care Narre Warren south residents mention when they want someone to remain with their baby. Call us today for more information.
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