Parents often wonder about preparing their children for daycare. Daycare can be a trying time for a family, and some daycares are downright unsafe for your child. You want to be sure to research the facilities and the professionals your child will be interacting with. It’s also important to do your homework about your child’s safety.
Daycare is a growing trend these days. Many parents are working double shifts and have very little time to take their children out. Fortunately, there are options for taking kids out of the house safely. There are government-funded programs, private agencies run by churches, and non-profit organizations that help kids get the care and security they need.
Some daycares are known as “boarding schools,” because they have practices that mimic daycare. Teachers instruct parents on how to check on kids at all times. Some are licensed and follow a rigid set of rules. Other places to teach by example.
When you start preparing your child for daycare, it’s important to ask yourself if you want him or her to spend his or her time in a setting where he or she feels safe and ignored. This can be especially problematic for very young children but may also be common for older children.
You want your child to learn to trust you, so introducing him or her to an environment of total strangers can be intimidating. Talk to other parents who have children the same age as your own to see what’s working for them. Busy Bees in Hervey Bay offer premium child care is one we always recommend to our readers.
Know the requirements of the daycare you’re considering. There should be a checklist you and the child’s teacher can go over to ensure the facility follows the requirements for licensing and that employees are screened and verified before working there. Ask the employee themselves if they follow those requirements and how they learned about them.
Try to find out about the qualifications of any caregivers you might hire. Are their qualifications recognized by child-care organizations and other child-care professionals? Are they licensed? Ask to see their licenses if you can, and if they aren’t licensed, are they sure they have them?
Verify dates of certification and education to make sure you have an employee you can trust with your children. Check out the policies that each daycare center offers. Many include policies on how their employees will be dressed.
This can be especially important if your child will be alone in his or her room, as some facilities require a uniform. Others also have policies about how meals are served. Find out if meals are served at specific times throughout the day.
It can be tempting to choose a daycare that will give your child more freedom and allow him or her to do whatever she wants, but you should keep in mind that kids need structure too. Children who feel like they have a structure in their lives are often calmer and have fewer problems with frustration and anxiety.
You’ll also find that your child’s friends are more likely to be successful in their endeavors if they’re getting what they want from their caretakers. If you’re going to hire employees, make sure you get references and check them out. Ask the references to describe the daycare employees specifically.
Ask about their demeanor, whether they’re patient and helpful. Also ask about their qualifications, such as how long they’ve worked at this particular daycare, the success rate they’ve had with the kids they work with, and other important details. Inquire about other kids in the facility as well, so you’ll know whether or not your child’s needs will be met.
One way you can tell whether someone is right for the job is to interview him or her. Make sure that you’re sitting down with the person yourself, and don’t invite any friends or relatives. Has the person to meet with your child in a private, quiet area.
Let your child do most of the talking, but ask pointed questions about what he or she will do to help your child. If the potential care provider seems knowledgeable and experienced, then he or she may be perfect for your child.
One last tip for preparing your kid for daycare is to make sure that his or her home is kept clean and organized. Since children tend to wander off when they’re upset, it’s important to make sure that your child gets to spend time in a calm and peaceful environment.
You’ll also want to monitor how your child’s meals are being handled. Don’t let snacks and meals slip by, as these could easily become unhealthy and even addictive for your child. Keep a record of everything that goes in or comes out of your child’s home, and if anything seems out of place or unusual, talk to your child’s pediatrician immediately.
