If you’re the parent of an infant or young child, chances are you will need someone to care for them at some point, whether it’s on a full-time basis or an occasional evening out. Whatever the timeframe, you’ll want to leave your child in good hands and not have to worry about their wellbeing in your absence.
The best place to start is by planning ahead and allowing time to research different options. Finding a caregiver you can trust may take time and you don’t want to be forced into a hasty decision that doesn’t make you feel completely comfortable.
When deciding on what type of child care to use, evaluate your family’s needs and determine which kind would best suit your lifestyle. Community Coordinated Child Care, a non-profit agency that provides support services for child care, recommends asking yourself some initial questions: What type of care would best suit your child? Would your child be more comfortable in a structured program? What are your needs in terms of location, hours of operation, and cost? The right choice may vary widely from family to family, depending on what each household considers important for them.
Parents should look for someone that really seems to like kids and possesses a genuinely enthusiastic attitude about caring for them.Watch closely how they greet and interact with your child. Observe whether they get down to the child’s eye level when conversing with them and if they exhibit positive body language.
We also recommends inquiring extensively about child rearing beliefs. "A qualified caregiver will have definite beliefs about discipline methods and not be wishy-washy when asked," she says. " Even go so far as to give different scenarios. For instance, ask what they would do if your child refused to leave the park or threw a tantrum in the local grocery store. Confident answers reveal professionalism and true child care experience."
It’s extremely important to find someone that shares your philosophy of care and ideas about discipline. Discipline techniques vary between caregivers and parents should make sure the person they choose is a good match with their own beliefs so a child has consistency."
If going outside the home for child care, plan to visit a few places to get an idea of the kind of care your child will receive at each location. Observe the atmosphere of the center. Are the children there happy and relaxed? How are they interacting with the caregivers? Also, take a good survey of the physical surroundings. Are the toys clean, safe and age appropriate? Are the children protected from strangers?
A variety of staff overseeing your child each day may make them feel insecure, so ensure they will have the opportunity to bond closely with one or two qualified caregivers that have been appropriately screened beforehand.
Once you find someone, Community Coordinated Child Care recommends not stopping there, but continuing to evaluate them. Listen to what your child tells you about their day and talk to their caregiver about any concerns that may arise.
The best place to start is by planning ahead and allowing time to research different options. Finding a caregiver you can trust may take time and you don’t want to be forced into a hasty decision that doesn’t make you feel completely comfortable.
When deciding on what type of child care to use, evaluate your family’s needs and determine which kind would best suit your lifestyle. Community Coordinated Child Care, a non-profit agency that provides support services for child care, recommends asking yourself some initial questions: What type of care would best suit your child? Would your child be more comfortable in a structured program? What are your needs in terms of location, hours of operation, and cost? The right choice may vary widely from family to family, depending on what each household considers important for them.
Parents should look for someone that really seems to like kids and possesses a genuinely enthusiastic attitude about caring for them.Watch closely how they greet and interact with your child. Observe whether they get down to the child’s eye level when conversing with them and if they exhibit positive body language.
We also recommends inquiring extensively about child rearing beliefs. "A qualified caregiver will have definite beliefs about discipline methods and not be wishy-washy when asked," she says. " Even go so far as to give different scenarios. For instance, ask what they would do if your child refused to leave the park or threw a tantrum in the local grocery store. Confident answers reveal professionalism and true child care experience."
It’s extremely important to find someone that shares your philosophy of care and ideas about discipline. Discipline techniques vary between caregivers and parents should make sure the person they choose is a good match with their own beliefs so a child has consistency."
If going outside the home for child care, plan to visit a few places to get an idea of the kind of care your child will receive at each location. Observe the atmosphere of the center. Are the children there happy and relaxed? How are they interacting with the caregivers? Also, take a good survey of the physical surroundings. Are the toys clean, safe and age appropriate? Are the children protected from strangers?
A variety of staff overseeing your child each day may make them feel insecure, so ensure they will have the opportunity to bond closely with one or two qualified caregivers that have been appropriately screened beforehand.
Once you find someone, Community Coordinated Child Care recommends not stopping there, but continuing to evaluate them. Listen to what your child tells you about their day and talk to their caregiver about any concerns that may arise.
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