| It's a daunting question for many parents, new and old. | | | | Perhaps up to 250 children in one center. |
| Some of you are first timers with a brand new baby in | | | | 2. What is the policy of the child care center? Be sure |
| your home and others of you have several children. All | | | | to ask what there rules are regarding sickness, time |
| in all you have decided it's time to go back to work | | | | off, vacations, paid holidays, emergencies. Make sure |
| and find a child daycare that meets your beliefs. | | | | that you are clear on what these policies are; be clear |
| But the question is what are your beliefs on what a | | | | on what the child daycare center is expecting of you |
| good child daycare should be? | | | | and vice versa. Many times this is how parents and |
| This is something for you to definitely think about, for | | | | child daycare centers get into disagreement. Not over |
| you to find a good child daycare you need to | | | | the actual childcare provided but over the policies |
| determine what kind of environment you most | | | | established by the center. |
| definitely feel comfortable in. | | | | 3. Do you trust the provider who will be taking care of |
| Here are some of the questions you should be asking | | | | your child? If you don't trust the provider chances are |
| yourself before you venture out in looking for a child | | | | you will leave the center. Also understand that child |
| daycare center. | | | | daycares aren't perfect. Anytime you leave your |
| 1. Do you feel more comfortable with a family child | | | | home you take the risk of error. I'm not trying to |
| daycare or a group child daycare? Both are very | | | | protect the child daycare center, but people do make |
| different. A family child daycare is usually run by one | | | | errors and understand that children will be children. |
| person who is the owner, and usually out of | | | | They will argue, get dirty, hit their friends and so one |
| someone's home. A group child daycare is usually out | | | | but realize that they are learning and this is their nature |
| of a commercial building with staff on hand. Children | | | | at such a young age. |
| are divided according to ages. For example all babies | | | | I think that the above questions are so important in |
| are in one room, all toddlers in another, and so on.You | | | | asking yourself. Realize that choosing a child daycare |
| get the idea. Family child daycares usually mix all ages | | | | center is an important decision. Children need |
| together, but family daycares are small- only about 8 | | | | consistency and stable loving relationships- this is so |
| children per center. Group centers can be very large. | | | | much more important then fancy toys and big buildings. |