|
Many parents would just as soon stay at home with their children and do
without child care programs. But it’s one of the unavoidable facts of
life today, given the financial need to work, career choices or the
desire of parents for some child-free time.
For parents, locating the right caregiver can be one of the most
important decisions in a young child’s life, says Naomi Dubin, a social
worker with The Children’s Mercy Hospital of Kansas City, Mo.
Selecting child care can also be confusing because there are several
options to choose from, depending on the needs of both the parents and
the child.
Parents must decide if they are seeking full-time learning/instruction
placement or simply a babysitter for several hours a day. Are parents
searching for a child care center, day care in private homes or
arranging for a caregiver to come to the home. Children with
disabilities or developmental delays may be eligible for special day
care/learning programs at day care centers. (TLC and Cradles and
Crayons are two such examples in Kansas City.)
Choosing the right day care to suit a family’s needs can be difficult
and costly. Parents may encounter waiting lists for their preferred
choice. Day care can be expensive when parents are not eligible for
financial aid or payment based on a sliding scale.
While parents search for a suitable program, they should keep in mind
that the best child care programs should provide a safe, nurturing and
stimulating atmosphere for your children.
"Where you place your children for child care is a crucial decision and
one that parents need to take seriously. Parents must search carefully
to locate quality, affordable child care," Dubin says. Many families
Dubin sees use relatives or church-related centers for child care with
good results.
Most states require licenses for child-care programs. To receive the
license, a child care facility must meet certain guidelines, which set
standards for things like child-staff ratios, meals, sleeping space,
sanitation, and indoor and outdoor space.
Child care for children under two
For children less than two years old, it is generally best to have only
one caregiver in addition to the parents. Infants especially need
consistent, warm, nurturing relationships with all of their caregivers.
This can be accomplished by having a person come to your home to care
for your child, or by taking your child to a home day care provider or
to a child-care center that separates infants from older children.
The child care center should also have a high ratio of caregivers to
infants (ideally one caregiver per three infants). It is also
beneficial for your child to have the same caregiver throughout the day
care years.
Child care for children over two
When children reach age two and socialization with other children
becomes important, the best choice is often a child care center.
Centers usually offer a more enriching environment than a child might
have at home or in a home day care setting. And at a child care center,
the caregivers are more likely to be professionally trained to care for
children.
There are also many home day care situations that are good for older
children. However, there is a wide variety in the kind and amount of
stimulating activities that home programs offer. Many home day care
providers take advantage of equipment lending libraries, public
libraries and neighborhood park programs. They also provide creative
programs for children.
Sometimes, a combination of home day care and nursery school works well
for children, but remember to factor in transportation between the two.
Making the selection
When you are choosing a child care program, visit the facilities you
are considering. Look carefully at how the children spend their time.
Are they enjoying themselves? How much time is spent watching
television? Do the programs and equipment provided match the
developmental levels of the children? Is there good light and
ventilation?
It is also important to observe the personality and behavior of the
staff as they interact with the children. The caregivers’ philosophy
about discipline, nutrition and safety should be compatible with your
own.
Most quality child care programs have a booklet on their policies. Ask
for a copy.
|
