Deciding On Daycare For Your Child

If you’re a single, working parent, concerned about what to do with your child while you’re at the office, Tracy van Blerk can help.

It’s and economic reality that most women – both single mothers and women with access to a dual income – are obliged to continue working when their children are young, regardless of whether they want to. Most families cannot get by on one salary and so daycare is often the only option for parents who work.

Choosing Caregivers

There are three factors to take into consideration when making the daycare decision. First, you must decide what kind of care you need – full-time, part-time or after-school. You also need to consider how much you can afford to pay and how much time you want your child to spend in the care of a facility.

There are a number of options to choose from and you should choose the one that best fits the needs of your family.

Homecare: Hiring a live-in nanny or au pair to take care of your child in your own home is the perfect solution for many parents. If possible, make your selection from a reputable agency and do a thorough reference check before employing anyone.

Daymothers: Daymothers look after children in their homes on a daily basis. Make sure the other children being taken care of are about the same age, that there aren’t too many children in the group, that there are sufficient staff to give each child the attention he or she needs, and that the home is hygienic and safe. This option tends to be cheaper than a crèche. Also find out if the daymother is qualified to look after children and how much experience she has.

Centre Care: When choosing a crèche or nursery school for your child, make sure the facility has a structured programme designed to stimulate the children. Also find out whether there is a nursing sister on staff and if the meals they serve are nutritious and well-balanced.

Most reputable daycare centres will offer a written statement to parents stating their approach to caring for children. Referrals from other parents are also a good starting point.

Making It Easy For Your Child

Starting a new childcare arrangement can be as traumatic for children as it is for their parents. This is especially true for children who are naturally shy, and for parents who are facing their first full day away from their little ones. Here are some tips for getting yourself and your child psychologically prepared for the big day:

• Visit the crèche or daymother’s home before your child is enrolled. Allow you child to meet the new teacher as well as the other children who will be in his or her “class”.
• Don’t let the first day at school be the first day you are away from your child. Get some practice – as much for your benefit as for the child’s – by allowing a relative or close friend to baby-sit for you on a couple of occasions before the big day dawns.
• Try to keep your child’s routine unchanged as far as possible. Children need security, and consistency is the best way to achieve this.
• Give your child time to make the switch from being at home, to being in the facility, and celebrate the event by making a big issue of how exciting it is to be going to “school”.
• Most of all, be positive. If you are enthusiastic and don’t show signs of stress, the chances are your child will adapt with much greater ease.