| Day care, whether it falls under commercial | | | | experience in the field. The child would be |
| or home day care, should always be thoroughly | | | | comfortable around them, and the sitters |
| checked out before the little one is | | | | would be able to provide the names of at |
| enrolled, the baby sitter hired or any form | | | | least two referees who were satisfied with |
| of agreement signed. This ensures the | | | | their services. Be sure to call up the |
| parent's own peace of mind as well as the | | | | referees and check. |
| safety of the child. | | | | |
| | | | With day care centers, the task becomes a bit |
| Day care services are provided by nurseries, | | | | easier as there are always other parents with |
| churches, crèches, and professional / | | | | whom one can talk. However, though the |
| retired child minders working from their | | | | service may be regular, it is always better |
| homes and even by some business | | | | to inquire a little deeper into the care |
| establishments for the benefit of working | | | | aspect of the arrangement. |
| parents. | | | | |
| | | | Always ask the number of children assigned to |
| After a preliminary phone interview with the | | | | one minder. The fewer children per minder, |
| centre or sitter, it is obviously essential | | | | the more attention they will get. Also ask if |
| to meet the care givers in person so you can | | | | the minders have worked at the centre for |
| make a better judgment about their abilities. | | | | long and whether they will be the long term |
| In the case of day care centers, a personal | | | | minder of their group. |
| visit will enable you to see the facilities | | | | |
| and environment your child will be moving in | | | | Ask about the standards of discipline and the |
| without having to depend on second hand | | | | center's policies on sickness. Inquire about |
| information. | | | | staff training and check out the safety |
| | | | aspects of both building and playground to |
| The term day care applies to the long term, | | | | your satisfaction. All these things are vital |
| regular and, often, daily care of a child, | | | | to the well being of your child. If you can |
| during the parents' absence at specific times | | | | ask for a copy of the centers policies with |
| of the day. Like during the time when they're | | | | regard to how the institution is run, all the |
| at work. | | | | better. |
| | | | |
| While a licensed day care centre would | | | | Even after your child has been entered in a |
| automatically provide quality care on a daily | | | | reliable day care of your choosing, it is |
| basis, home day care providers can sometimes | | | | advisable to make periodical visits, attend |
| be extremely irregular. This inconveniences | | | | parent teacher meetings and above all to |
| parents and also upsets the schedule of the | | | | always know how your child feels about the |
| child, who has got used to the way his day | | | | centre. Keeping in touch with other parents |
| should progress. | | | | is also a good way to track the progress of |
| | | | your child and any possible problems that |
| Home day care providers would ideally be | | | | might arise at the day care centre. |
| responsible, competent individuals with prior | | | | |