It is the desire of all parents to remain with their children until they grow up. However, circumstances like work, travel, and other commitments make it impossible and you are forced to turn to infant daycare. Considering the age and vulnerability of the kid, this is not the easiest option. But when you find a facility that meets your expectations, you can drop the child off with peace of mind. Here is a simplified guide.
Be sensitive at how caregivers interact with children. They need to play with them on the floor as opposed to watching over them with a hawk eye. Children at an early age require the close contact that can only come with comfortable caregivers. They need to be warm and receptive beyond providing adequate one-on-one attention. The facility should therefore guarantee the recommended child to caregiver ratio.
Commitment is important especially to infants. It comes through a consistent caregiver as opposed to one who comes and goes at will. The facility must offer a commitment of about a year. This allows your child to adjust before being taken to another facility. A high turnover destabilizes the learning process and may affect normal development. Most of this commitment will depend on adherence to laid rules for your state.
There are laws set on establishment of day-cares. Such rules must be met on the face and in hidden areas. Compliance sends a message of readiness to comply. It also gives you peace of mind in the knowledge that your child is safe. Some of the areas of concern include child-friendly installations indoor and outdoor, safety measures, healthy conditions, etc. Requisite licenses must also be displayed and valid.
Drop-by the daycare center unannounced to ascertain whether promises made are fulfilled. There are instances where caregivers stage-manage a show for visitors only to revert to another normal when parents have left. What you see during drop-off might not be what the children are exposed to throughout the day. Demand permission to see all areas where your children will be residing. If access is denied, you have every reason to worry.
Strike a cord with the caregiver and follow your gut feeling. Since you will be leaving behind an infant, you have to rely on the caregiver for information. Ask as many questions as possible when picking the kid as possible. Further inform the caregiver how the kid slept, health, and any unusual behavior during drop off. Keep your phone line open and demand the same from the facility to cater for any emergency.
Whenever there is a problem, be quick to resolve it. Common issues include diet, handling, safety, quality of care provided, etc. Focus should be an agreeable and professional solution. In case you feel uncomfortable about any situation, communicate. However, be ready to negotiate and accept changes that are professionally handled. You might be forced to negotiate on issues like toys, play time, eating time, sleeping hours, etc.
Before turning to day care and when it is time to drop the child, preparation is important. It allows the child to adapt to your absence and thus accept to be in the hands of strangers. Further, remember that regardless of the level of attention given at a facility you remain the primary caregiver. Observe comfort and discomfort in your child.
Be sensitive at how caregivers interact with children. They need to play with them on the floor as opposed to watching over them with a hawk eye. Children at an early age require the close contact that can only come with comfortable caregivers. They need to be warm and receptive beyond providing adequate one-on-one attention. The facility should therefore guarantee the recommended child to caregiver ratio.
Commitment is important especially to infants. It comes through a consistent caregiver as opposed to one who comes and goes at will. The facility must offer a commitment of about a year. This allows your child to adjust before being taken to another facility. A high turnover destabilizes the learning process and may affect normal development. Most of this commitment will depend on adherence to laid rules for your state.
There are laws set on establishment of day-cares. Such rules must be met on the face and in hidden areas. Compliance sends a message of readiness to comply. It also gives you peace of mind in the knowledge that your child is safe. Some of the areas of concern include child-friendly installations indoor and outdoor, safety measures, healthy conditions, etc. Requisite licenses must also be displayed and valid.
Drop-by the daycare center unannounced to ascertain whether promises made are fulfilled. There are instances where caregivers stage-manage a show for visitors only to revert to another normal when parents have left. What you see during drop-off might not be what the children are exposed to throughout the day. Demand permission to see all areas where your children will be residing. If access is denied, you have every reason to worry.
Strike a cord with the caregiver and follow your gut feeling. Since you will be leaving behind an infant, you have to rely on the caregiver for information. Ask as many questions as possible when picking the kid as possible. Further inform the caregiver how the kid slept, health, and any unusual behavior during drop off. Keep your phone line open and demand the same from the facility to cater for any emergency.
Whenever there is a problem, be quick to resolve it. Common issues include diet, handling, safety, quality of care provided, etc. Focus should be an agreeable and professional solution. In case you feel uncomfortable about any situation, communicate. However, be ready to negotiate and accept changes that are professionally handled. You might be forced to negotiate on issues like toys, play time, eating time, sleeping hours, etc.
Before turning to day care and when it is time to drop the child, preparation is important. It allows the child to adapt to your absence and thus accept to be in the hands of strangers. Further, remember that regardless of the level of attention given at a facility you remain the primary caregiver. Observe comfort and discomfort in your child.
About the Author:
Get a summary of the factors to consider when picking an infant daycare center and more info about a great child care facility at http://www.hillyerecp.com/about-our-warren-childcare-services.html today.