When it comes to parenting, the one of the worst parts of it is when you come off of maternity leave and you have to go back to work. It’s not that you have to go back to the office, but it’s because you have to then leave your child in the care of somebody else while you try and make a living.
This is not an easy decision to make as a parent because you’re responsible for them choosing who’s going to be the one to care for your child for hours in the day. It can be confusing to try to work out what’s on offer and which center is the best match for you and your family. Googling safe child care near me and choosing what’s right for you is going to take some time and research, and it’s also going to take learning a little more about what you want the most out of a childcare center for your family. With this in mind let’s take a look at some of the things that you need to consider when it comes to choosing safe child care for your child.
Listen to your gut.
When you walk into a childcare center, you’ll have a list of questions that you’d like to ask. When you arrive, you’re going to get a sense of the environment when you walk in the door, so trust your instincts. Look at the children. Are they looking happy and healthy or are they crying? All the workers looked stressed.Is the center filled with the smell of delicious cooking for lunch? It’s always a good idea to pop in around lunchtime when the food is being prepared. Are there calming essential oils burning or is there that dirty nappy smell floating through the air? The first impression you get of a childcare center is usually going to be the correct one, so you should pay attention to it.
What are the staff ratios?
Children should be connected to a primary caregiver when they go to a childcare center. Usually they get given a key worker to work directly with it. Who will be in charge of your child whilst you are at work and from there you can determine whether or not your child’s going to feel safe. You should ask to meet the room leader and ask what the ratio is for staff to children. They’re also minimum standards, but you want to choose a childcare center that goes above and beyond the minimum. Ask about the professional development opportunities that the staff are receiving so that you know how up to date their knowledge is in the childcare sector.
What is the education philosophy?
Remember that a childcare center is not just a glorified babysitting service, they’re there to enrich your child and educate them. And even if you’re putting a baby into the center, being able to get them involved in activities that are appropriate for their age is important. What is the educational philosophy of the childcare centers that you’re looking at? Are children allowed to have a lot of choice when it comes to their play? Can you see engaging activities that are set up and ready to go? Is the play just inside or is there outdoor play as well?
These are all questions that should be on your list. Asking as many questions beforehand is key and weighing your options out that best suits you and your baby. Follow your gut feelings too.
