Leaving a child behind when going out for work can be traumatizing for most working parents. But if the needs become too pressing, they have to make a difficult choice. In that case, no matter how unwilling they are from the bottom-most part of their hearts, they must still find and choose the best childcare for their child.
Which, in fact, is the most challenging aspect. This is because to part with the most precious piece of one’s heart even for a short while, can be no less heart-wrenching. And on top of that, there are so many other concerns crossing their minds about how to choose the best childcare for their child. Someone who is reliable, trustworthy and efficient. Yet, affordable and likable to the entire family.
So nowadays, there are many family child care programs that cater to both the educational, physical and emotional needs of a child.
This article will take the readers through the different ways of finding the best childcare for your child.
How to zero in on the best family child care?
Known by several names, including, home daycare, family daycare etc., family child care programs are designed for the following:
- infants
- toddlers
- preschool aged children
- school-aged children
- mixed-age programs
Family childcare is one of the many options in childcare. But it has several advantages over others like the following:
- Dedicated caregivers who provide a comfortable environment for the child to grow and learn.
- Personalized attention and a greater scope for one-on-one interaction as the number of children is not more than 12.
- Budget-friendly and high-quality
- Mixing with children of other age groups helps in the development of important social skills.
- Equipped with childcare management software that helps in keeping track of distinctive child and family details to improve staff productivity.
- Teaching children how to give vent to their creativity.
How should one go about choosing the right family childcare?
When looking to choose the best childcare program, it’s important that you find one that is suitable for both the child and the parent. Here are some things to consider:
- Start looking for a family childcare program at least two months before joining work. Or even before the child is born. This is to ensure they can take right decisions in due course without rushing through the process.
- Consulting co-workers and fellow parents is a must.
- Join different groups on social media and read online reviews
- Check with local regulatory agencies or state is a way of validating the family childcare programs.
- Screen the family childcare facilities to see if they are a good fit for your child. This is applicable to those, as well, which are overly stringent with their admission policies.
- After shortlisting the programs, visit the homes or buildings of the caregivers to get first-hand knowledge of the facilities provided.
Important Questions to Ask and Consider
Below are some important questions you should ask of each place you visit when looking to choose the best childcare for your kids.
- Is it a licensed program?
- What qualifications does the staff have?
- How much experience does the staff have?
- How much training do the caregivers have?
- How many children are enrolled?
- What hours of the day are suitable for the parents?
- Can parents drop in anytime to check on their children?
- What is the daily routine for the child?
- What childcare apps does the program use to keep better track of things?
- How well versed the staff are in the use of childcare apps?
- How safe is the facility?
- What disciplinary policy does the program follow?
- Is there an emergency plan in place?
- What is the staff to student ratio?
- Does the center do background checks of its employees?
- Is the child under constant supervision of the caregiver?
- Does any staff member hold a certification in CPR in children?
Importance of childcare management software in providing the best service in childcare
Technology is all around us. So why should early education be out of its scope? To keep up with the digital world, family child care programs are increasingly embracing childcare apps.
Apps for childcare are excellent management tools for family childcare programs that help in streamlining the childcare process. They also help parents interact with their child’s teachers, keep a tab on their child’s development throughout the day, schedule pick-ups, and more.
Conclusion
Choosing the best childcare for your children is the goal of every parent. But one needs the wherewithal to make the right decision. This depends on multiple factors, including their own research, driven by a thorough understanding of their child’s needs. Enrolling one’s child in a family daycare program seems like the best decision in today’s working family scenario, given the benefits it offers. But as needs differ from one child to another, it is best to go through all of the childcare programs before putting your child into one.