Choosing Child Care for Preschool Children

"Choosing child care: a matter of choice not chance"

You love your children and want the best for them. The care they receive in your absence is essential to their health and security and to your peace of mind. Choosing child care is a big decision for parents because of its importance to the health, well-being and development children. This information is designed to assist parents in locating and choosing quality care to meet the needs of their child and family.

Indicators of quality care for preschool children:

. All children need warm, nurturing caregivers, who understand and respond to their needs.

. They need environments that keep them safe, healthy and routines that are age appropriate, respond to individual needs, and stimulate growth and development. When these variables come together, they form the basis of quality care.

Knowledgeable Care Provider:

A quality caregiver is one who is aware of the developmental needs of infants and toddlers, who takes the time to know each child on an individual basis and responds to their needs quickly and consistently.

By receiving prompt, personal care and attention from a primary caregiver, preschoolers build trusting bonds. These attachments make a child feel secure and lay the groundwork for healthy growth and development. When these bonds are broken, young children can become very distressed. Continuity of a caregiver is an important factor for quality care for this age group. Child/adult ratios:

In order for caregivers to provide children with individual care and attention, adequate ratio of adults to children is essential. Child care ratios in Nova Scotia are outlined in the Day Care Act and Regulations:

Private home care:

Six children of mixed ages (infant to 12 years), eight school age, including the caregiver's children. Child care professionals suggest that no more than two of these children should be less than 2 years of age.

Centre–based care:

In day care centres the ratio of preschool-age children (3-5 years) is one adult per eight children with a group size of 24.

Environment:

. Children need surroundings that are clean, bright and have a comfortable temperature.

. It is vital that this space is child proofed, with secure boundaries, so children can safely explore their surroundings.

. Quality environments provide interesting, age-appropriate toys from which to explore and learn.

. Equipment and toys should be clean, in good repair and meet safety standards.

. Eating and sleeping areas require special attention. To protect children's health and safety, they need to be clean, well ventilated and organized, so adults can focus their attention on the child.

. Hand washing and other health practices should be part of each child care routine.

Daily routines:

Preschool children are active learners, so it is important that they are offered a variety of age-appropriate experiences and activities to stimulate development. Day care centres have program and activity plans posted on the centre's bulletin board. Private home caregivers may also have a daily routine that they follow. At a minimum, a child's day should include opportunities for: Following are some steps to follow, to assist you in your search: . Indoor and outdoor play

. Active and quiet play STEP 1: Determine. A choice your of activities, needs and some those directed of your by childthe caregiver. and others chosen by the children Consider how each of the following might factor into your search and options: . Nap or rest time

.HoursNutritious and days: meals and snacks . How soon do you need care to begin?

. Do you need full-day or part-day care? Communication: . Do you need full week or part-week care?

Quality. Do care your welcomes hours change, parental requiring involvement flexibility and visits in your at childany time care during schedule? the day. There should be time set aside at the beginning and end of each day for parent and caregiver to exchange information. What aboutare your how feelings the child's about day continuity or night went.of care Open -- how lines long of couldcommunication this arrangement are critical last, for bothideally? the welfare of the child and the health of the parent/caregiver relationship/arrangement.

ChoosingCost of Care child care is a personal decision based on your values, and the needs of your child and family.. What It is acan good you idea afford for toparents pay? to consider carefully what qualities they are looking for in a caregiver and an environment. As in all things, some compromises may be required when choosing. Is care.there These any assistance compromises you mayhowever be eligible should for, be insuch areas as thata provincial do place child the carechild subsidy? at risk. Parents need to listen to their intuitions. If you choose carefully and base your decision on what is important to you for your child, you are bound to make the best choice. Location . Would you prefer child care close to home or to work?

. Do you need child care near public transportation?

. Who will be picking up and droppingYour Child off yourCare child? Search

. Finding child care is a task that takes time, energy and careful consideration. ConsiderParents yours may andhave your an ideachild's of theneeds: type of care they want but it is a good idea to keep an open mind and explore all possible options. Arrange to visit as many types of care as time . What is your child's personality/temperament? Activity level? Daily schedule? will allow, before making a final decision. . How is your child's health? Does he/she have any health conditions or allergies?

. At what stage of development is your child, and how is he/she/they reacting to . Finding child care can be a long process. By beginning your search early, you increase your separation and stranger anxiety? options and odds of finding the care you want and need. . Do you have any specific concerns? What information do you feel is important for a caregiver to know about your child? STEP 2: Locating Services

 Talk to family, friends and co-workers. Inquire if they know a caregiver or day care centre with openings.

 Check child care ads in the classified section of local newspapers, job search web sites, Bargain Hunter publications and other websites (i.e., Kijiji)

 Check community bulletin boards in corner stores, farmers’ markets, libraries, playgroups, community centres and mailboxes.

 Call and inquire if your neighborhood school has a listing of people who provide care.

 Identify and call options that have a suitable location. A listing of licensed child care centres and licensed family home day care agencies is available on the Department of Community Services website (http://www.gov.ns.ca/coms/).

STEPIf the 4: answer to these questions meets your needs and expectations, arrange a time to visit Visit the day care centre or home theSTEP home 3: or centre. Try to arrange a time when other children will be present. Screen your options Following are some points to consider when visiting a child care centre or home?

Once you've identified a potential caregiver or program, call to see if it will meet your needs. . Does the home or centre have a welcoming, comfortable feel? Before placing this call, refer to your list of needs and make a list of questions to ask. Use the .sameDoes list it when appear contacting to be well each maintained centre or and caregiver. clean?

.PossibleDoes questionsthe place lookto ask: safe for your child? Do the caregivers appear to enjoy talking to and playing with children?  What are you hours/days of operation? . Do they talk with each child on the child's level?  Where are you located? . Do they respond quickly and appropriately to a child's distress?  Do you (or will you) have any openings for a (your child’s age) in the timeframe you need? . Are there toys within the child's reach? Are toys and equipment clean, comfortable,  How many children do you care for? What are their ages? plentiful, and age appropriate?  What are your fees? What is included in these fees? Do you give receipts? . When you listen, do you hear happy voices of adults and children involved in play?  What activities and routines make up a typical day? . Do caregiver voices sound patient and happy? Do you sense a genuine fondness for the children? Do you have experience/training caring for preschoolers? Do you have First Aid CPR?

. Count Do theyou numberhave references? of children in the group, then count the number of staff caring for them.  Have you had an RCMP check done? . Do they meet with regulations?  Do you carry adequate liability insurance? . Do you get the impression the caregiver can handle the number of children in her care?

. Where do the children eat, nap and play? Are these areas safe, with secure boundaries?

Licensed child care centres are required to meet standards of care for health and safety/staff training/ratios/equipment/nutrition/programming and equipment. These are minimal standards, and do not necessarily assure quality care. Check that the child care centre and or family home day care agency has a current license displayed and a copy of the day care act. STEP 5: Interview the caregiver

Clear, open lines of communication are very important in arranging and maintaining your child care arrangement.

Following are some questions to consider when interviewing a potential caregiver:

 How is the caregiver's day set up to meet the needs of preschoolers? What routines and activities make up a typical day?

 Do these routines fit your child's schedule? How flexible are routines?

 What experience/training does the caregiver have in caring for preschoolers?

 Does she have first aid/infant CPR? How would she handle an emergency? Are there smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and an evacuation plan?

 Ask about the length of time the caregiver has been caring for children and how long she plans to continue? Continuity of care is an important factor. Ask day care directors if staff are rotated and how often?

 Listen carefully, when the caregiver speaks to get a sense of her philosophy in caring for children.

 Is it similar to yours? Ask him/her what she feels is important to provide good care for infants and toddlers.

 What are the caregiver's views on feeding, toilet training? Do you agree with these views?

 What are the caregiver's views on guiding children's behavior and discipline? Do you agree?

 What is the policy if child becomes sick?

 What does she enjoy about caring for this age group?

 Are the children taken on outings during the day? Who provides the car seat/booster seat?

 Does the caregiver have adequate Auto and Liability Insurance?

 What do parents provide? (Food, milk, diapers, bedding)

 If the caregiver provides food, what type and is it nutritious?  Is there a menu you can see? Day care centres have a menu posted on the centre's bulletin board. Some private home caregivers may also have a menu. In either setting there should be a process for letting you know what, and how much your child ate that day.

 Discuss cost of the care? Any additional charges? What is included in this fee? When is it due? Do parents pay for sick and absent days? Does caregiver give receipts?

 Are parents welcome to come by at any time without calling?

 Does caregiver have references?

 Does caregiver have an RCMP check?

STEP 6: Evaluate

Before committing to any child care arrangement, take time to consider the information you have collected, check references, ask yourself if the home or centre has:  A safe, nurturing environment with long-term possibilities?

 A reasonable travel distance?

 Affordable fees?

 Similar values in caring for your child?

If you determine that this arrangement will meet the needs of your child and family, arrange a time to visit with your child to gauge their reaction. Ask to have a written agreement outlining hours, fees and any other policies. (Samples are available at the centre).

The information presented here is designed to meet the needs of parents choosing child care in private homes or center-based care. Some questions and information may pertain more to one type of care than the other. Information on hiring and interviewing a caregiver to come to your home is available and can be found in any nanny/aupair organizations and/or sites.

Best of luck in your search .