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Child Care
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Whether you're a single parent or a family in which
both the mother and father work, child care can be an important issue when
deciding what to do with your children while away. Being knowledgeable and
being able to ask the right questions can help provide you with what you need
to make the best decision.
Finding Child Care
If you live near family you may be fortunate enough to have one of them take
care of your child while at work. But what if you have no family near you and
need to look into other means of child care? Other options may include in home
day care and daycare centers. Asking friends, co workers, or neighbors can be a
good way to get recommendations when beginning your searching process. Call and
make appointments to see the facilities and meet the staff. You can learn a lot
by seeing and talking to people in person. Below we will look at the different
types of child care as well as questions you might be asked as well as
important questions you may want information on.
In Home Child Care
In home child care can include someone coming to your house and watching your
child or you dropping your child off at someone else's house. This could be a
family member or someone with a licensed in home daycare. Since having a family
member watch your child can be easier to set up, we will look more at having a
non family member come over or taking your child to an in house daycare.
Here are some questions you can use when looking into an in house daycare.
How
long have you been running a daycare?"
Are
you licensed?"
What
hours are you available?"
What
if I am late picking up or dropping off?"
How
much do you charge?"
Do
you have some references?"
Are
you certified in child CPR?"
What
is the ratio of children to teacher?"
How
do you discipline a child?"
Do
you have the children nap?"
How
many and what are the ages of the children you're currently looking after?"
Are
the children separated by age group?"
What
is your curriculum?"
By asking these and other questions that may pertain to your individual
circumstances you will learn a lot about whether or not this daycare will work
for you.
Below are some questions that you might be asked when looking into an in house
daycare.
Has
your child ever been to a daycare before?"
Does
your child have any allergies?"
Does
your child have any special needs?"
What
is your child's feeding schedule?"
What
is your child's nap schedule?"
How
do you discipline at home?"
If you are asked any of these questions just answer them to the best of your
knowledge. Providing good information about your child can help with the
transition.
Day Care Centers
Day Care Centers are much like a school that a wide variety of children can
attend. From babies to older children, daycares can vary in their prices, age
ranges and curriculum. When making a decision on which Day Care Centers to use
it is important to research them and what they have to offer. The questions
listed for In-Home daycare are virtually the same for Day Care Centers as are
the questions you might be asked. Just be prepared and make choices that you
feel comfortable with. |