Tips to Consider when Choosing Childcare By The Daycare Trust
Childcare Hotline 020 7840 3350 |
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| Your action checklist. |
| Visit several childcare providers before you decide who will help look after and educate your child. |
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| Here are ten 'Quality Pointers' to look for: |
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| 1. |
Are the children relaxed and do they seem to be enjoying themselves? |
| 2. |
Are the staff listening to the children and are they joining in with the children's activities? |
| 3. |
Do the staff seem friendly and proud of their work? |
| 4. |
Is the building pleasant, clean and welcoming? |
| 5. |
Is there a fun and safe outside play space? |
| 6. |
Are different cultures positively represented in the toys, books and wall displays? |
| 7. |
Do children and staff represent the ethnic and cultural groups that live locally? |
| 8. |
Are there lots of fun toys and activities for children? |
| 9. |
Is the area child-centred - with child-sized furniture and with wall displays that children have made themselves? |
| 10. |
Are you and your child welcomed - by staff and by the children? |
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| Try to visit when there are children around but also arrange a quiet time to discuss questions you want to raise. |
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| Here are ten questions you can ask when you visit prospective childcarers: |
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| 1. |
How long have you been working with children? |
| 2. |
Have you done any training? |
| 3. |
Do you like this job? |
| 4. |
What other children will be with my child? (for nurseries and playgroups: do you operate a keyworker scheme?) |
| 5. |
How do you spend the day and how will the other children's schedules fit with my child? |
| 6. |
Where will my child rest? |
| 7. |
Do you make outside visits and trips? |
| 8. |
What sorts of meals do you give the children? |
| 9. |
Can I see your registration certificate? |
| 10. |
Do you keep records about the children's progress? How will we exchange information and communicate? |
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| Add your own questions and don't be afraid to ask them. Good childcare workers will expect this and will also expect to show you rooms and outside space that the child will use. |
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| Other watch points: |
| Do |
| 1. |
Ask for at least two references from other parents and follow them up |
| 2. |
Prepare questions for your visit |
| 3. |
Organise a settling in period for your child before you go back to work |
| 4. |
Encourage your home-based carer to start a network of friends with children |
| 5. |
Equip a nanny to provide interesting play for the child - sand, paint, clay or dough and aprons for her and the child and show her local parks and children's services |
| 6. |
Express your appreciation to your child's carers |
| 7. |
Investigate further if your child appears unhappy with her childcarer or if she is not thriving. Acknowledge her feelings and seek advice from the childcarer or your health visitor or Under Eights Advisor in the local authority. |
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| Don't |
| 1. |
Forget looking after your child is a demanding and vitally important job |
| 2. |
Ignore a child's difficulties if she seems unhappy |
| 3. |
Skimp on pay and conditions if you want to hold on to your nanny or childminder |
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| For more information see The Daycare Trust website at www.daycaretrust.org.uk |
