Finding good quality daycare can be a daunting task for parents. There are several things to consider and remember to ask when you visit a daycare setting. How do you know if your child will be happy? Will they meet your child's needs? Do they provide feedback about how your child is performing? What if my child doesn't like it?
This video is a good starting point to help you identify what a good setting might look like and what types of things you should look for. Although the video looks at a nursery setting, the information given will apply to other daycare providers. We've put together a step-by-step guide below on the types of things you should do before selecting a daycare provider and what questions you might want to ask when going to Settings.
Make a list for requirements
• Make a short list of child care providers using information from your local Family Information Service. Remember to check:
• Hours that day care providers can provide child care
• Hourly, daily and/or weekly costs
• If they have places available for your kid
Go to your shortlisted points
It's a good idea to visit daycare and ask questions in person about the daycare provided. It may be helpful to take a friend and/or your child on a tour to help you decide.
What to look for:
• Well-trained and experienced staff
• Kids looking busy, but relaxed, happy and purposeful
• Safe and clean premises – welcoming and friendly with outdoor play space available
• A staff team and group of kids who reflect local ethnic and cultural groups
• Cultural sensitivity and response to children's home life
• Planned exercise and quiet time to rest are important
• Plan fun activities each day – babysitters, nurseries and out-of-school clubs need to plan their day taking into account children's interests and enthusiasms
• You and your child are very welcome
What to ask:
• What is the ratio of staff to children? How many children do you care for?
• Do you operate a key worker scheme (where a member of staff has primary responsibility for your child)?
• What qualifications and/or experience do you have?
• What are the daily routines and how can you incorporate my child's and other children's routines daily?
• Do you provide meals, snacks, nappies etc or will I need to provide them?
• What are your policies on discipline and how do you manage children's behavior?
What will your child enjoy?
Here is a list of the things that children said mattered most when Quorum Family & Daycare visited the nursery and asked children for their views:
Friends – Check for a stable group of kids so your kids can hang out with friends
Exploring – make sure there are plenty of opportunities for children to learn new things with varied, carefully planned tasks
Feeling safe and loved – check that staff are able to respond to individual children's needs, comfort and encourage them, and keep them safe
Fun outside – Check that the outdoor area is well-planned, spacious and safe – children love playing outside
These are some things you may want to consider; Remember to also think about things that matter to you and your baby, and make sure you ask about them!
Quality check
Most childcare providers (including nurseries, childminders, children's centers and extended school services) that look after children under the age of eight are usually registered with Ousted (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills). It has to happen. Ousted visits all registered child care services and makes sure standards are being met and children are safe.
Take up references
The experiences of other parents about the childcare provider can also be very useful. It is advisable to have at least two references. Daycare providers will be happy to give you names of other parents to talk to about the service they provide.
Book a place
Book your child's place and organize details such as working hours, start date and who is allowed to collect your child. You may have to pay a retainer fee to keep the space open until your child starts.
It may take some time for your child to settle into any new daycare setting you start him in, so give him time to adjust to his new surroundings, especially if it's his first time in childcare. Most babysitters, such as childminders, will offer a 'settling in period' where you have an agreed period of time to assess whether the setting is right for your child and that they are happy there.
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